GRAVETTE — Voters in Gravette School District 20 next Tuesday, Sept. 18, will choose two school board directors to serve five-year terms. Two candidates, Jheri Roberts and Jay Oliphant, are vying for one position. The other position is filled by Jack Skillett, who is unopposed for re-election.

Editor’s Note: Oliphant and Roberts provided the following information and answers to two questions to the Eagle Observer:

Jay Oliphant lives west of Gravette adjacent Highway 72. A certified public accountant, he is employed in Walmart Real Estate Finance Division. His wife is the former Linda Pritchard of Gravette. Three children are in college, one seeking his MBA, two are college seniors. Grandchildren are Natty, who is an eighth grader in Gravette Middle School, and Ian, a first grader.

Oliphant holds a master of business and public management degree from Rice University, a master of accounting degree and a bachelor’sdegree in economics. He is president of the Gravette Kiwanis Club, treasurer of the Gravette Community Garden and a member of Mount Hermon Church.

Jheri Roberts lives on Sunrise Road, just off Mt. Olive Road southeast of Gravette. His wife is the former Brenda Crawley of Gravette. They are parents of three children. Aaron is a GHS graduate and graduate of John Brown University, Adam is a 2012 graduate of GHS and attends Arkansas Tech, and Nicole is a sophomore at Gravette High School.

Roberts graduated from Gravette High School in 1985. He served two military tours overseas, in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is project manager at Miller Zell and is pastor of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the Gravette Athletic Booster Club, of which he has served as president, and also served on the board of directors of the summer baseball program.

Each candidate answered the following questions posed by the Eagle Observer.

Question: What inspiredyou to seek the position on the school board?

Oliphant: Several current board members asked me to. I am a strong believer in education, am very fortunate to have received a quality education and children are our future.

Roberts: As a parent of children who have attended and who still has a child attending, that is my driving force to seek a position to the school board. I am a concerned parent that will always have what’s in the best interest of the children first. I would like to see the future of the Gravette School District continue to improve. Great improvements have taken place over the past few years and improvements continue to this day, which is a direct reflection on the relationship of the School Administration and the School Board.

Question: List areas you think need improving, any problems, positives and how you will work to make the school better. Just your overall impression of the district.

Roberts: It is amazing to see how far our school system has come in the last 6 years. A new high schoolhas been built, the addition of our football facilities and current construction of the baseball and softball fields. Those are great improvements but what we really need to focus on is the education of our children. Are we preparing our children for the next level of their education? If not, then what steps should be taken to ensure they are prepared? I believe anyone can have plans and ideas of how this can be accomplished, but until someone is actively involved in this process, the best planning may or may not be enough. I realize that it takes funding for the day to day operation of this school district, and I believe our district is financially sound and strong, but we always need to consider what’s important and what’s at stake. It’s the future of your children and grandchildren. I would encourage all parents to get involved with your children’s education. Teachers will have an influence in their lives, but as parents we need to be supportive of both our children and teachers. Should Jay Oliphant be elected, I will be supportiveto him and all members of the school board. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Oliphant: The current board has done an excellent job with finances, facilities and achieving competitive salaries for teachers. I want to continue that excellence. I want to learn more about programs, supporting both college preparedness and vocational-technical training.

Voters will cast ballotsnext Tuesday at the following locations: Gravette Civic Center, Highlands Church in Bella Vista, Hiwasse Fire Station and Sulphur Springs Community Building. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Early voting can be done at the office of the county clerk in Bentonville during regular office hours, through Monday at 4:30 p.m.

No increase in the district’s 37.2 millage is proposed.

News, Pages 3 on 09/12/2012