School Election Is Next Tuesday

— Voters in Gravette School District 20 will go to the polls next Tuesday, September 15, to elect a member to the Gravette School Board.

The five year position is being contested by incumbent Danny Alsup of Gravette and challenger Carol Kaufmann of Bella Vista.

Alsup, who is completing his first term on the board, provides the following information concerning his qualifications for the position:

"I graduated from Gravette Public School in 1980 and obtained a B.S. in Animal Business from Texas Tech. I am blessed to have the job that I love which is farming. I have been involved in many organizations over the years that have helped me become an effective leader (ex., Cattleman's Association, Farm Bureau, banking, church, etc.). I believe that my past five years of service to the School District and my business and finance background qualify me for another term."

Alsup and his wife Debbie are parents of two children, Jacy, 17, and Carson, 13, students in Gravette schools.

Qualifications

Kaufmann provided the following information concerning her qualifications for the position:

"I am a retired educator with 31 years of experience. I was a teacher and an administrator. In my teaching career I was a band director in grades 6 through 12, a member of the Music Management Team and the Music Curriculum Committee. I was also appointed as Lead Teacher by the Education Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. My administrative experiences include Summer School Coordinator, Fine Arts Department Leader, Dean of Students for Discipline and Attendance at the middle and high school levels and principal of elementary, middle and high school levels. In addition, I was a member of the Superintendent Advisory Board, Literary Task Force, Alcohol and Drug Court Steering Committee and executive member of the Paiute Tribe Educational Summit.

Kaufmann moved to Bella Vista one year ago. She and her husband, Pete, are parents of two adult children.

Reasons

In answer to the question, "State briefly your reasons for seeking the position. List specific goals and how you will implement them. Please be specific",

Kaufmann wrote: "The first goal will be to sustain and/or improve the existing curriculum and instruction. The second goal would be to research and exhaust all avenues of revenue prior to a millage increase. The first goal would need to be obtained through a collaborative effort of the School Board, Superintendent, Principals and staff. The second goal can be obtained by looking for alternative sources of revenue such as federal, state and working grant monies, Partners in Education, public and private industry and philantrophy."

Alsup wrote: It is an exciting time to be a part of the Gravette School District. We have many unfinished projects that will be started soon such as the construction of the Band/Choir facility at the Middle School and the fieldhouse at the High School. I want the opportunity to see these and other projects completed. I will ensure that the district remains financially sound while at the same time providing the best education possible for our students. We need to remain competitive in salaries and implement new curriculum and programs as the budget allows."

Polling Places

The polls will be open next Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Gravette Civic Center and Highlands United Methodist Church. Voters in Maysville, Sulphur Springs and Hiwasse will vote at the following locations: Precincts 1-5 at Gravette, Precincts 22-26 and 70 at Highlands Church.

Early voting is available at the County Clerk's office in Bentonville or by absentee ballot. Applications are available by calling the Clerk's office, 271-1013.

News, Pages 1 on 09/09/2009