Three citizens are running for two vacancies on the board of education for the Houston R-1 School District. Here are their answers – written in their own words – to issues related to the district:

STACIE ELY • incumbent: My name is Stacie Ely and I ask for your vote as I seek re-election to the Houston R-I School Board. I am 42 years old and a 1993 graduate of Houston High School. After high school I attended St. Louis College of Pharmacy and graduated in 2000 with a bachelor of science in pharmacy. Presently I’m a 26-year employee with Walmart Pharmacy. I am married to Chris Ely, local conservation agent and 1993 Houston High School graduate. We have two children who attend Houston Schools, Jarrett, 15, and Kristen, 11. I am the daughter of Jerry and Judy Rupe, both Houston graduates and longtime Houston residents. My family and I attend church at Ozark Baptist Church.

TIM MALAM • challenger: I am Tim Malam and was born and raised in the Houston area. I attended Houston Schools from kindergarten through senior year. Following high school, I then attended Linn State Technical College in Linn, Mo. I obtained my certification in heavy equipment operations. I am married to Darci Malam, and we have three children: Brennan, Braxton, and Tinli. I am employed by MFA in Houston. In addition, my wife and I operate a small beef farm in the Bucyrus area.

LEON SLAPE • incumbent: Wife: Lynda; specialist degree in educational administration; retired educator after 35 years; presently an associate pastor and church finance officer.

Why are you running for the Houston School board?

ELY: I’m seeking re-election to the Houston R-I School Board because I believe that the future of our society hinges on the quality of our youth’s education. If re-elected I will continue to positively interact with all board members and to make non-biased educated decisions that best fit the student’s scholastic and educational needs. Based from my past experience on the board, it is clear that rural districts such as Houston R-I have limited resources and funding as compared to larger better funded districts. Therefore, it is my intention to make sure all available funds and resources are used wisely so the district’s students get the very best, most well-rounded education possible. Regardless of a student’s aspirations after high school, all Houston graduates must be given the necessary foundation so they may competitively enter into mainstream society. In my opinion, this educational base is formed from not only the set curriculum, but from challenging, character building, extra-curricular activities as well as the core curriculum.

MALAM: I am running for Houston School board because I feel I could help make a difference in the school system. As a father of Houston Schools students, I want to do what I can to help ensure my children, and all of the students, receive the best possible education in a safe environment.

SLAPE: To provide assistance with the school administrators, teachers and other staff members.

•Help with district curriculum goals.

•Work with the school community and local citizens to help promote continued student improvement and successful programs for the Houston R-1 School District.

What do you consider to be the current strengths of the district?

ELY: Houston R-I School District has many strengths that we should be proud of. The district has many caring teachers that want the best education for our students. We have small class sizes allowing teachers to give more attention to each student’s needs. The school district has many diverse extracurricular activities that our students are involved in including, but not limited to, academic teams, clubs, choir, band and sports. We have community involvement groups such as the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) that helps support the elementary through parent involvement with the school. Furthermore, the Bright Futures program has been implemented to meet the needs of the students in the district by establishing a line of communication between the school, student needs and community generosity.

MALAM: The strength of Houston Schools is our teachers –– many work way more hours than required and truly take their career to heart.

SLAPE: •A diversified board of education that has multiple background knowledge and experiences to provide needed input of public education.

•Ability to look at an in-depth of issues, working together with the present administrators and community members.

•A staff of educators that care, have vision and want to see students succeed.

•A community that supports the school district.

•Curriculum offerings that provide needed opportunities for pursuit of furthered education.

•An administration that works together to see improved student performance.

What are the areas in most need of improvement? How do you suggest those improvements?

ELY: I believe the areas of most need for improvement are student safety, test scores and infrastructure. However, I address these topics in other portions of my questionnaire.

One other area of improvement is in attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers and administrators. Oftentimes these losses have been due to teachers moving back closer to family, moving to larger communities, seeking higher pay and/or having differences in philosophy. Unfortunately, due to district restraints, not all demands can be met. However, I believe that recruiting teachers from the area may help retain long-term teaching staff.

MALAM: I feel a major area that needs improvement is the administration. I have personally talked with some teachers that feel they do not have the support needed and are pushed into doing or not doing certain things they feel are in the best interest of the students. I believe the correction to this problem would be:

•leadership training focusing on staff support and retention

•staff/administration replacement.

SLAPE: •Improvement of student performance by encouraging students, teachers, parents and community members to support with maximum effort.

•Much needed present building improvements.

•Our community citizens need to approve a “no tax increase” for a facility improvement bond issue.

Houston’s test scores have been at the bottom of the conference for the past couple years. How can they be improved and what is the school board’s role in doing so?

ELY: The low test scores should be of the upmost importance of the Houston R-1 School District and must be taken seriously by all board members and administrators. Clearly there is not a single cure all answer but likely many parts to the problem. It is my belief that many of the issues affecting our school district’s test scores can be revealed through better communication between administrators, teachers and support staff. We have talented educators working in the district, and I believe they may know many of the answers plaguing the district’s educational process. For instance, teachers may reveal that students do not have specific resources available to them to learn (i.e. technology, textbooks and the like). The district needs to better open the lines of communication through discussion. However, some staff may be hesitant to communicate openly due to the nature of some of the issues. I would like to see an anonymous survey developed and used to poll staff on these issues. If we see a reoccurring problem(s) pointed out by the survey, the school board’s role will be to aid in bringing about the changes necessary to get the district back on track.

Furthermore, it is important that the district makes sure that its educators have the necessary professional development (training) to best teach their curriculum and challenge the students.

MALAM: As far as test scores, there needs to be accountability from students and staff. I believe some lies with the students in that students don’t feel they have to put a lot of effort into the test. Another key to improving test scores is to reevaluate the curriculum to help align teaching to the testing. In addition, there needs to be a greater focus on the students that are falling behind early on in elementary. My suggestion would be to implement added time each day for that student to focus on the specific subject in which they are struggling.

SLAPE: •Parents actively encourage, assist and hold accountable for their children with high achievement.

•Teachers freed from so much (government mandated) data collection and allow teachers to teach students.

•Board members help and support our educational leaders as they work together for measurable results.

The district is building its bonding capacity. Would you support another bond issue and if so, for what specific needs?

ELY: I would support another bond issue as long as money isn’t being spent frivolously and the money is being spent on what the school district actually needs. Our school is in need of many improvements that a bond issue could help with such as aging infrastructure that impacts the student’s learning environment. Much of this infrastructure has been in place for many years. Examples of needed improvements are updated lights, classrooms and labs. When looking at passing a bond issue, we have to make sure that the taxpayers money isn’t being spent on things that aren’t improving the academics of our students which is the number one priority.

MALAM: Yes, I would support another bond issue for two main areas: the middle school building and the track. I truly feel that the middle school building is ready to be replaced. The building was in poor condition when I was in school in the 90s and has deteriorated since. The track is in serious need of repair. Have you been able to visit the track lately? It has many holes and cracks and, frankly, is a safety hazard. I understand that is a major undertaking however I am sure that many people would agree something needs to be done to both.

SLAPE: •Yes, I am totally supportive for a “no increase tax” bond issue to seek approval by the voters in 2019.

Some Specific Needs:

•An updated bell, intercom and communication system to reach all people in all buildings for adequate student and personnel safety.

•Replacing aging HVAC systems.

•Improved interior lighting.

•Improvement to our track and outdoor restroom facilities.

•A new multipurpose gym/auditorium for improved needed facilities, including:

1. Fine arts

2. Adequate indoor seating for graduation and community events.

3. Space and seating for regional extracurricular competitions.

4. Local pride.

Do you support the addition of a school resource officer on campus? What other safety needs do you believe the district should implement?

ELY: Yes, I support the addition of a school resource officer on campus. However, I believe that the school board needs to be very diligent in making sure the correct person is selected for this job. First off, the job description and duties must be very clear and determined by the school board, education administration and law enforcement professionals. I believe a school resource officer is more than a law enforcement officer that patrols the halls. A school resource officer is a safety expert and law enforcer that will help preserve order and promote safety on the campus of the school district. A school resource officer also should be a person that can educate the students, faculty and parents on a variety of policing/safety topics.

Other safety needs the district should implement on campus include but are not limited to: Continued improvements in secure classroom door installation, educator training and student awareness training.

MALAM: As far as a resource officer on campus, I completely agree that we need them. As a parent, my children’s safety is number one. Parents, teachers and administrators agree if we can take any steps to help to encourage a safe condition, we should. Communication is another safety concern. Parents need to be made aware of a safety concern as soon as possible.

SLAPE: •Yes, I am in favor for an SRO (Security resource officer) present on campus during school hours and as needed at possible extracurricular events.

•Also, as a part of the bond issue is needed to design the new facility to connect the middle school, high school and gymnasium for access to these buildings via indoor corridors.

•Continued correspondence and working together with local law enforcement.

What do you believe is the purpose of a school board member?

ELY: The purpose of a school board member is to establish rules and policies for the school district while maintaining an awareness of the communities interests, values and concerns. It is also the responsibility of the school board member/school board to make sure the superintendent is carrying out the rules and policies of the board to the entire staff of the school district. School board members should also participate in professional development for Missouri school leaders. Furthermore, I believe that school board members should be active in the school district and make every effort to attend monthly school board meetings and special meetings so to best represent voters.

MALAM: The purpose of a school board member is to be a voice of the community by making decisions that reflect the best interest for the school.

SLAPE: •To provide a liaison between the community and the superintendent to help determine, monitor and strengthen school’s programs and services.

•Work together with administrators and teachers to improve student success and enhance our school’s public standing.

•Assure effective organizational and management of resources.

•Support the superintendent and assess his performance.

•Ensure legal and ethical integrity; maintaining accountability.

•Understand that the day-to-day operations of the district are conducted by the staff.