GENTRY -- Voters living within Zone 3 of the Gentry School District will have two choices on the Sept. 15 school election ballot in the race for the Zone 3 seat on the Gentry School Board, a five-year term. Clarence "Bo" Kreger is running for re-election to the post, having already served one term on the board. And Shawna Rayburn-Still is running for a first-term on the board.
Some confusion resulted when Rayburn-Still indicated to Randy Barrett, Gentry School District superintendent, on Aug. 17, a desire to withdraw from the race and the board voted to cancel the local election if it was not too late. Barrett notified the district on Aug. 18 that ballots were printed and a candidate could not withdraw after the filing period closed, meaning both candidates would be on the ballot and the election would go on as scheduled.
On Aug. 27 Rayburn-Still notified the Eagle Observer that she did indeed plan to run and would serve on the board if elected. Her reasons for inquiring about withdrawal were related to stress from a son's surgery, she said. But, with the surgery behind her, she said she is ready to seek election and serve.
Kreger is running for re-election to the board seat. He has served on the board since his election in September of 2011.
In an effort to give the candidates an opportunity to express their views and to give Gentry-area voters opportunity to make an informed decision when voting on Sept. 15, each of the candidates was sent a questionnaire and given opportunity to submit his or her answers. The questionnaire and candidate answers follow:
Since both of you are running for the (five-year) Zone 3 Gentry School Board seat, I'd like to give you both an opportunity to respond to the following questions and will run the questions and your unedited answers in the Sept. 9 issue of the Eagle Observer, prior to the Sept. 15 election, to give voters an opportunity to consider your responses before casting their ballots. Please be concise and limit your answers to a maximum of 50 words per question.
Answers of Shawna Rayburn-Still
1. What is the reason for running for the Zone 3 Gentry School Board post?
I want to be a voice for our community and work towards a stronger relationship between the district and the public it serves.
2. What will be the focus of your service on the school board if elected?
I want to help assist with implementing new policies for improvements in our education system and focus on educational visions and values for our students.
3. What changes would you like to help implement in the direction of the school district and/or school board?
I am not looking to make any specific changes but continue to assist other board members in making decisions regarding our community and our school district.
4. What qualifications do you have for service on the school board?
I am an ethical person with values on education and family. I am a registered voter with a college education and mother of two boys and three stepchildren in the school district. I have strong sound judgment and a willingness to collaborate.
5. Why should voters elect you to this board post rather than your opponent?
I will make myself available to the parents and students to listen to issues and concerns. I will as a team player help with decisions for what is best for our school district.
6. What else would you like to tell Gentry School District patrons?
I want us as a community and school district to be a strong team moving together. I will approach each decision with an open mind and help be the voice between parents, students and the school board.
Answers of Clarence Kreger
1. What is your reason for running for the Zone 3 Gentry School Board post?
There are a lot of things that I would like to see finished.
2. What will be the focus of your service on the school board if elected?
Our kid test scores, charter school and new school.
3. What changes would you like to help implement in the direction of the school district and/or school board?
Better public involvement and I want to have our kids have best test scores in all categories, and we need to make sure our teachers have everything they need to be successful.
4. What qualifications do you have for service on the school board?
I have done required state training for the last four years.
5. Why should voters elect you to this board post rather than your opponent?
I have the experience and always try to make the right decisions no matter how hard it might be.
6. What else would you like to tell Gentry School District patrons?
It has been a great journey that I would love to continue if I am re-elected. Thank you for letting me serve you and our district.
The polling place for the election next Tuesday, Sept. 15, is at the Gentry Methodist Church, located at 102 W. First Street, Gentry. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
General News on 09/09/2015