Bio: I grew up in Texas County. I am a graduate of the 1986 class of HHS. My education in life came from hands-on experience. I worked at our local Head State for more than six years and attended more than 120 hours worth of in-services on regulations with child involvement to being a mandated reporter. Also during my life, I have helped on my late father Charles Benefiel’s farm. I understand the meaning of hard work and what a dollar is. I believe that education comes in many forms, but the core of it all stems from your local school system.
Why are you running for the Houston school board?
I believe a community is only as strong as its school system. I graduated as a Tiger. I am proud to call my child a Tiger.
But the school is in need of new structure within our system. I feel we need to do what is needed to provide the children within our reach with the best education possible. I have the desire and the time to dedicate to making our school great again.
What do you consider to be the current strengths of the district?
I believe the strength of our district is that we are a family-oriented small town school. The parents are not strangers to one another. People want to see their children succeed. They want to see their neighbor children do well. Each person in this community knows a child in our school system that they want to support, and that is what makes our school the “heart” of our community.
What are the areas in most need of improvement? How do you suggest those improvements?
There are many ways that our school system can be improved. One major issue that I feel strongly about is the lack of communication that happens between the staff and the parents. The school has provided a parent portal so the parents can keep up with what is happening with our children at school. Yet some teachers and staff do not keep it up-to-date. Therefore, the parents cannot do their part in aiding the children or the staff. I believe there is no consistency in the policies. Policy needs to stand as is, for all, not just some.
Houston’s test scores this past year were the lowest in the conference. How can they be improved and what is your role in doing so?
As a school board member, the main goal is to oversee administration. Administration is to oversee the school. So the question is what are our administrators doing or not doing that is affecting our scores? Are they serving high-protein food to our kids so they can stay focused? Are the providing them with teachers that are capable? Are they providing them with resources such as text books or access to technology so that they are capable of learning? If the answers are no, then it is upon the school board to find out why and to fix it according to those needs.
Our athletic programs have struggled for many years. What specific changes should be made to project them in a more successful direction?
The main issue I see in our athletic program is the turn over. We have had a hard time keeping staff. When we don’t keep staff, it’s hard to build a foundation and a program. I believe that our contracts with our coaching staffs could be a little more specific in the details upon leaving. I feel that we are moving forward in this area, though. Several of the coaching staff came from this area and have a special interest our hometown and the programs here. I want to see our athletic program as well as all our programs for our children to be successful in the future.
What do you believe is the purpose of a school board member?
Every school board member is an advocate for the community and the students. As being so, the sole job is to create and oversee the policies to make sure that all decisions and procedures by the administrators of the school proceed in the best interest of the students and staff alike. That the best interest of the school as a whole is being considered, not just individuals.
A patron comes to you with concerns about a teacher, coach, administrator or school building. How do you respond?
I am interested in what is happening at our school. If there is an issue that needs to be directed by the school board, I will instruct the person or the people with the concern to get on the agenda for the next meeting. I will encourage them to bring as much information to the board to present the issue, and I promise that I will listen objectively and also to vote for what I feel is right. I am not the one that goes with the majority because that is what the majority wants. And I may not or may agree with you. But you will never doubt how I stand on an issue, and I will vote according to my conscience on the matter.