Following is profile information and answers to questions submitted by the eight candidates for the Houston R-1 Board of Education. They are listed in alphabetical order:
SCOTT BARTON
Age: 50
Background: Youth and children’s minister for Ozark Baptist Church since 2003; 1975 graduate of Houston High School; associate degree in design drafting technology, Linn Technical College, 1977; member of Houston R-1 technology committee, Houston R-1 Citizens for Education Committee, Houston Ministerial Alliance and Texas County Memorial Hospital Volunteer Chaplains’ Association; youth camp director for the Texas County Baptist Association; assistant team leader for the evangelism team of the Texas County Baptist Association and 2005 youth minister of the year; Missouri Baptist Youth Ministers’ Association.
Family: wife: Brenda Lee Smith Barton; children: Jason Scott, 27; Jennifer Grace, 18; Sarah Elizabeth, 16; Jamie Lee, 14, and Bailey Renae, 12.
Other: After graduating from Linn Tech in 1977, my career took me from Houston to various cities throughout Missouri including Jefferson City, St. Joseph, Kansas City, Monett and Springfield. Brenda and I had the opportunity to move back to Houston in 1996 and have since put down deep roots in the community. All four of our daughters have grown up in the Houston School system.
E-mail: scott472@centurytel.net
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
We need to take a serious look at restoring programs lost to budget cuts, especially those in vocational/industrial education. As a youth minister, I see a trend of more students staying in the area, delaying entry into college, seeking local employment. Many of those students never attend college, never leave Houston and never find much more than entry-level employment. A solid vocational education would go a long way in helping our young adults to improve their quality of life with the added bonus of bolstering Houston’s industrial base.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
I’m always leery of those who enter a room with guns drawn. The first question was prefaced by the statement, “We have a good school system now.” I agree with that statement, but I also know there’s always room for improvement. With that thought in mind, my top priority for the first year will be to observe the system with my ears open to patron and staff concerns and my voice ready to speak to legitimate needs.
TOM DUNN
Age: 48
Background: Veterinarian; graduate of Houston High School, Westminster College and the University of Missouri; nine years with the St. Louis Veterinary Emergency Group, director of veterinary services; 10 years, owner of Houston Veterinary Hospital; three years on the Houston School board, current president of the board.
Family: Married to Dee Dee, a stockbroker with A.G. Edwards of Houston; two children: Kevin in eighth grade and Caroline in sixth grade; two dogs, Midnight and Marshmallow.
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
Our students need increased education in and access to computer training. Our technical schools, junior colleges and universities all require their students to have a working knowledge of computers, Internet searches, Web design and software applications. For our children to be eligible for admission to these schools or to get good jobs right out of high school, they must all receive training in computer technology. We need to expand our library and computer technology facility to accommodate our current students. The school and the community are working to encourage the passage of a no-tax rate increase bond issue to fund construction of a new library and computer technology facility. I am working now and will continue to work, to inform patrons about the need for this facility to help our kids get good jobs and good educations.
Across the state and in the Houston School District, the drop out rate is too high. Our teachers and administrators are working hard to get more children to graduation day. We all need to do more to explain the importance of a high school diploma to our kids and provide our school with the tools they need to keep more kids in school. We need to team up with members of the community to mentor students at risk of dropping out. We also need to obtain additional classroom materials that will help educate those kids with unique or difficult problems to overcome. An increased rate of graduation translates into more people in the workforce of our community bringing in more dollars to our economy. Everyone who lives in Houston benefits socially and financially from a higher graduation rate at our school. I will work to get the community and school to work together on this goal.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
We have hired Dr. Dan Vandiver to be our new superintendent as Clinton Waters retires. Our top priority must be to speed the transition to Dr. Vandiver’s tenure as superintendent. While the school board and school system have many critical issues with which to deal, I believe they can be addressed more efficiently if the teachers, administrators and parents have confidence in our new superintendent. We have been fortunate to have Mr. Water’s financial experience and self confidence to lead us these past three years. Now we must introduce the community to Dr. Vandiver and begin to open lines of communication to his administration. One of my priorities will be to help Dr. Vandiver become a part of the whole community, not just the school system. We will all work to build a sense of trust within the school and community.
BRIAN DURHAM
Age: 35
Background: I’m vice president at Grace Manufacturing in Plato and a beef cattle farmer. I have an undergraduate degree in accounting from Eastern University in St. Davids, Penn., and a master’s degree in business administration from Missouri State.
Family: I live at Bucyrus with my wife, Joleen Senter Durham, and our 2-year-old-son, Andy.
E-mail: bmdurham4000@hotmail.com
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
I agree that Houston does have a good school system, but I can’t think of any organization that does not have room for improvement. One need that I would like to see addressed is in the area of communication between the school board, administration, staff, community and students. Better and open lines of communication will help to increase understanding of the decisions being made at the board level. Improved lines of communication will help the school board make informed decisions, help the administration to have feedback to questions and concerns of the staff and the community and help our students succeed by having an organiztion that works for them by communicating well with them.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
I would find it to be self serving and a mistake in my first year of service to focus on anything other than the highest quality education for the students in the Houston R-1 School District.
JO HOLLAND
Age: 58
Background: I am a retired teacher with more than 25 years in education.
Family: My husband, Jim, and I have been married for 37 years. We have four grown children. Two of our daughters and one son-in-law are teachers. My husband, all four of our children and two of our sons-in-law are Houston graduates. Our oldest grandson, Cody, attends preschool at Houston and Jake, who is 2 years old, will attend school at Houston.
Other: I have served on the Texas County Habilitation Services board for more than 20 years and just recently, was invited to serve on the Citizens for Education. In March, Jim and I both will begin serving on the Texas County Extension Board.
E-mail: jomom_50@hotmail.com
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
Just as a “good” teacher encourages students to strive for improvement and excellence, so must a “good” school system continuously do so, by acknowledging that there are areas needing improvement within the district and by seeking and activating solutions to make those improvements. Some of the areas I feel could be improved are support and encouragement for teachers, parents and patron confidence in the school and communication both within the district and between the district and the public. I think many positive changes have been made in these and other areas, but improvement is still much needed.
As a school board member, I would work for improvement in these areas and any others that arise.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
I think providing the best possible education for every child in the Houston school district should always be the top priority and focus for every adult involved, both in the school and in the community.
GARRY JENSEN
Age: 59
Background: Graduated from Mountain View High School, 1967; U.S. Navy electronics technician; attended/graduated Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, 1971-’75; graduated from University of Tennessee with master’s degree in science and social work, 1977; employed with Missouri Department of Mental Health for 22 years as mental health coordinator with the last 15 years in the Houston area and 13 other counties; after retiring, I worked part time for Hospice of Care. Since moving back to this area in 1985, I have taught classes at Southwest Baptist and I’m continuing to teach a night class at Drury in Cabool. In addition to this, I have owned and operated a small farm in the White Rock community since 1985.
Family: Married 32 years to Rita Jensen, who recently retired as a math teacher at the middle school. We have two daughters, Tara Volk, a graduate from MU and is a supervisor with Children’s Division at Family Services. Sara Jensen teaches high school math and high school gifted classes at Mountain Grove and is scheduled to graduate with her doctorate degree in August from the University of Arkansas.
Other: I do believe that the school should focus on students who will go into vocation as well as those seeking traditional high education.
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
a. We should continue to look at ways to give our children a safe and effective learning environment.
b. Students with different interest should have the opportunity to select classes and extra curriculum to meet their needs and interest.
c. As much as possible salaries should be competitive with comparable jobs in the area.
d. We should continue to look at efficient ways to maintain and improve our physical facility.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
To become familiar with the position and work with other board members to meet the previous stated objectives.
KEVIN REED
Age: 32
Background: 1994 graduate of Houston High School and 1999 graduate of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Academy with an associates degree from Mineral Area College. In 2005, I transferred to the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Member of Highway 17 Church of Christ.
Family: Wife, Alison; two sons, Kaleb and Nathan; and one daughter, Madison.
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
If we have a good school system, I hope we can continue in a positive direction. Not personally being familiar with the exact role I can play as a member, I’m not sure of improvements, needs and the direction we need to head in order to achieve these goals.
I’ve noticed improvement needs to buildings (gym), favoritism shown to certain students, loss of teachers and lack of school spirit. I want Houston Schools to shine and produce fine well-adjusted young men and women and be an example to other schools.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
Once again, I don’t think I can prioritize the needs of the school until I am familiar with all issues. I want to give all issues equal attention and hear all concerns before I set a priority.
DARRELL SCHEETS
Age: 42
Background: Graduated from Houston High School in 1984 and for the last 23 years have been employed with MFA Inc., currently holding the position of manager for the Houston store.
Family: Wife, Shirley; son, Cory, freshman; daughter, Kenzie, seventh grade.
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
I would have to agree that we have an excellent school system now.
Since not every student will have an opportunity to attend a four-year college program, areas I would like to see receive continued support would include agriculture, vocational, math and science programs.
By continuing to support and expand these programs, students would be prepared for technical careers.
These objectives I feel would be necessary to maintain a good school system in our rural community.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
The first year, I think my priority would be to learn more about our school’s finance system.
CHRIS SMITH
Age: 41
Background: 1985 Houston High School graduate; 1989 Drury University graduate; officer and board member of The Bank of Houston; owner T & T Farm Products Inc.; and manager of Smith Family Farms.
Family: My wife, Laura, and I have two boys, Taylor, ninth grade; and Tanner, sixth grade, who attend Houston Schools.
E-mail: smithfamily4farms@hotmail.com
Question 1: What do you see as “needs for improvement” in our district and how will you address those needs?
Communication between the board and patrons in the district and the staff and administration of Houston R-1 School. Without communication you don’t know the needs, goals or problems to be addressed. As a board member, it’s your responsibility to take the school in a positive direction.
Question 2: If elected, what would be your top priority or focus in your first year of service?
Education of our students. Since I was in school, the level of education has changed. Expectations of students today are higher, and it is the responsibility of the school board to supply the highest level of education possible. The programs students can benefit from today are there for them to obtain their goals. It takes everyone – parents, teachers, administration, school board members, patrons – working together to provide the education students need to succeed.