GRAVETTE — Where do the candidates stand on the issues? In an attempt to help readers better know the views of the Gravette School Board candidates in contested races prior to the September 19 school board election, we asked them all a series of six questions and have included their unedited answers below.
Ty Russell, the incumbent in Gravette Position 4, is running unopposed. Gentry and Decatur have no contested races.
Position 1 - Five Years
Jay Oliphant (incumbent)
1. Why are you running for a seat on the school board? To continue serving the students in our community for another 5 years.
2. What do you hope to accomplish if elected? To continue progress in collaboration with Bentonville, Decatur and Gentry School Districts on expanding vocational opportunities for Gravette students and to continue effective financial stewardship of the District.
3. What experience or expertise do you bring to the position if elected? Five years of experience on the board, strong network with other school board members and administrators, a passion for education and children, and 35 years as a CPA with expertise in financial matters.
4. What is your stake in the school district? Two grandchildren currently attending Gravette Schools, plus 15 years in our community.
5. What do you see as the greatest positive asset of the school district? Talented, experienced and hard-working faculty, administrators and staff, followed closely by a very supportive community.
6. What do you see as the greatest need for improvement in the district? Continued progress in expanding vocational opportunities for students not planning to attend college or who are unsure about future plans after high school.
Position 1 - Five Years
James H. Brown, Jr.
1. Why are you running for a seat on the school board? I believe everyone has a responsibility, especially in a small town like Gravette, to do something to help better their community. These students are our future, and I want to do what I can to make sure they all have every opportunity to succeed.
2. What do you hope to accomplish if elected? One of my priorities will be expansion of vocational and technical training, and preparing our students for life after high school, whether it be college or the work force. Also, I'd like to explore opportunities for our students to become more involved in our community.
3. What experience or expertise do you bring to the position if elected? Having owned my own business for over 15 years, I've learned how to work with people constructively. I don't come in thinking I have all the answers. As a board, we should make changes when change is needed, but always be looking to improve.
4. What is your stake in the school district? I currently have 3 children attending Gravette schools. Jillian is a senior, Caleb is a sophomore and Seamus is in eighth grade. I spent several years as a volunteer coach for youth sports, so I've built relationships with many of our current students and parents.
5. What do you see as the greatest positive asset of the school district? Smaller population. In a smaller community it's easier to communicate between students, parents, faculty and administration.
6. What do you see as the greatest need for improvement in the district? Resources and parental involvement. We as parents owe it to our children to encourage, support, and assist them in their education. An increase of participation by parents will eliminate many problems before they arise.
Position 2 - Five Years
Raegena Davis
1. Why are you running for a seat on the school board? The reason I am running for a seat on the Gravette school board is to help keep Gravette School District headed in the positive direction that it currently is.
2. What do you hope to accomplish if elected? I would like to see the district continue with its growth of the Western Benton County Career Center. I believe this is great asset to our area. I do not have specific goal in mind other than to work with current members in making the best decisions that benefit our students, teachers and administrators.
3. What experience or expertise do you bring to the position if elected? I have previously been a member of a City Council and I have worked in the financial field for over 20 years my experiences have made me accustomed to a professional environment and public meetings.
4. What is your stake in the school district? I have a son that is a current student at Gravette and my daughter graduated from Gravette.
5. What do you see as the greatest positive asset of the school district? I feel that the greatest positive asset to the school district is its academics due to the courses and opportunities that are available to the students. My family and I were transfers originally and we moved our first child due to the opportunities that Gravette offered and we then eventually moved into the district so our youngest child would have the same educational opportunities.
6. What do you see as the greatest need for improvement in the district? I would like to get my feet wet and really become familiar with the issues at hand and until then I feel like I am unable to really comment on current improvements needed.
Position 2 - Five Years
Jodi Moore
1. Why are you running for a seat on the school board? Working with children is one of my greatest passions in life along with my family and my community. To be able to be an advocate for our children along with incorporating the community's values and input is an amazing opportunity that I look forward to filling.
2. What do you hope to accomplish if elected? Whether students chose a traditional college degree or set their sights on a specialty trade or vocational certification, giving every child the resources necessary to become a productive member of society is my top priority.
3. What experience or expertise do you bring to the position if elected? Perhaps the greatest gift that comes from working with children is being able to see the world from their perspective. Over the years I have come to learn that each child has a very unique view and they range from one extreme to the next. As a small business owner with a strong motivation to evolve with future opportunity/demand, I have an understanding of budgeting with both long and short term goals in mind. Being able to face each task with the best interests of the tax payers and district staff in mind while also considering impact on the children will be an extreme benefit to this job.
4. What is your stake in the school district? Along with having two children in the Gravette School District, I have been a homeowner in the area for four years. As a current local business owner I have been fortunate enough to get to know many of the community members and work with their children.
5. What do you see as the greatest positive asset of the school district? The compassion and support whether it be emotional or monetary from the community and business owners are Gravette's greatest asset to the school district. To see the needs of our children being met with a smile time after time without hesitation has been a humbling experience.
6. What do you see as the greatest need for improvement in the district? Facility upgrades and maintenance are an ongoing issue while anticipating space for future growth. With the growth projections currently being forecast for Gravette, addressing these issues with long term plans and solutions is a necessity.
General News on 09/13/2017