Cassville School Board candidates answer top questions
John Sullivan:
Incumbent candidate for Cassville R-IV
School Board
|
Carolyn Bowen:
Incumbent candidate for Cassville R-IV
School Board
|
Wade Hermansen:
Candidate for
Cassville R-IV
School Board
|
Dale Phelps:
Candidate for
Cassville R-IV
School Board
|
The following questions were given to each Cassville R-IV School Board candidate for the April 7 General Election. Answers are printed as they were submitted by the individual candidates and appear in the order in which the names appear on the ballot. Only minor grammatical errors were changed.
• Please provide a brief bio about yourself/your family.
John Sullivan: The Sullivan and Farwell families have lived in Barry County since the mid 1800’s. My mother, father, myself, wife, and two children are graduates of Cassville School.
Carolyn Bowen: My name is Carolyn Bowen and I am a candidate for the Cassville School Board. I am a Cassville alumna as is my husband, Don and our two daughters. I grew up in a family of educators where the topic of discussion was centered around school and school activities. My father taught math, coached basketball, football, was high school principal and county superintendent of rural schools. I had two aunts, a cousin and one daughter who all taught at Cassville. I was employed at Cassville school for 32 years and I feel I have a good understanding of how a school system should be evaluated and operated.
Wade Hermansen: Wade Hermansen graduated Cassville High School, Class of 1988, and then the University of Missouri in 1993. In 1995 I started Dry Gulch Mfg. which we still own and operate today. I am married to Christy Hermansen, a high school Communication Arts teacher, and we have 3 children in the Cassville School District.
Dale Phelps: Hi, my name is Dale Phelps. I am a 1990 CHS graduate. I have been married for 16 years to my wife Sarah. We have 3 kids two of which are still in the Cassville School system. I have worked for the same company going on 25 years.
• Please provide a brief history of your community service involvement.
John Sullivan: I have served on the School Board, Chamber Board, Community Betterment Committee, as well as activities and committees at church. I volunteer my time and services at the school including running concession stands, keeping stats, fixing food for various activities at school among other things.
Carolyn Bowen: We are active members of the First Baptist Church, several events with the chamber of commerce and other community activities as well as many school events. We have had a small business for the past 22 years. Being involved in these activities offers me the opportunity to hear and talk to parents and people in our community about our school.
Wade Hermansen: I am a member of the Cassville United Methodist Church. I am currently involved in the Cassville Chamber of Commerce, Cassville Rotary and various other small projects in the area.
Dale Phelps: I have been a volunteer for Cassville Fire for 14 years. I did 4 years of mighty mite coaching. I also coached youth baseball for 6 years, and was on the baseball board for 1 year.
• Why did you choose to run for school board?
John Sullivan: My love for kids and wanting to see kids succeed along with my love for the Cassville School District is my reason for running for the board.
Carolyn Sue Bowen: I am blessed to have grown up in a community that has made our school a top priority. We have around 1900 students, 250 teachers, and staff with hundreds of activities during a school year from K-1 through 12th grade. A board member must be open minded to all students, teachers, staff and parents needs. Serving on the board for the past two terms has given me the opportunity to see what it takes to keep a school system functioning at a high level of efficiency. We have great teachers, staff and administrators who have helped this school excel way above average.
Wade Hermansen: Only 1 of 7 current Cassville School board members have a student in the district. It is healthy for parents to serve on the school board and offer their perspective. A parent has a unique connection to a school; teacher conferences, banquets, music programs and other school activities makes a parent an accessible school board member. This accessibility allows a board member/parent to have their fingers on the pulse and health of a school in a very natural way. I feel it is time for a new generation of parent to step forward and serve our school.
Dale Phelps: I believe that there needs to be more parents on the school board that have kids in school. I was also told one time if you didn’t vote then you should not complain. So I decided to take it a little farther than just voting this time.
• What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing students in the district? How would you propose to deal with those challenges?
John Sullivan: I feel the biggest challenge for students is being prepared to be successful in life whatever their vocation. We need to make sure we continue to have quality teachers to prepare students for whatever pathway they choose.
Carolyn Sue Bowen: Our world is changing rapidly each day. Board members, administrators and teacher must meet these changes also, to give our students what they need to enter the world after high school. We will always need to keep up to date with the latest technology, books, equipment and facilities to make sure our students have what they need to be able to enter college, the work force or whatever they choose to do. Our school can only operate on the local tax base, state and federal monies. As a board member I will strive to help our school system have what it needs to prepare our students to meet our changing world.
Wade Hermansen: The challenges facing our students are no different than those of any rural district. Our students will have to compete with students from bigger districts with larger resources than our own. They will not be exposed to the platter of opportunities of larger communities. A student when equipped with an education and an understanding of the opportunities for him/her has a much greater chance to fulfill their talents and interests.
The solution is simple, teachers, teachers, teachers. They are the absolute backbone of any school district. As a board member you must try at every opportunity to create, enhance and promote a culture of energy. Energy in a school district doesn’t travel from the faculty/staff up, it flows down from the board and administrators. The board sets the tone on to what type of culture the school will operate. It must be a positive and energetic culture.
Dale Phelps: Technology! Our kids are more advanced than the school is in this field. We need to look at all the options to be more advanced even if it is out sourced. Communication! We need to have better communication between our school board and everyone in the system, not just the administration. I would look into ways that the board can be approached with confidence that the issue will be taken care of. Activity Funding! We have a lot of extracurricular activities that are funded by more than just the school funds. I would suggest other options to raise money for kids that cannot afford the additional cost.
• What do you think the role or philosophy of a school board member is?
John Sullivan: The role of a school board member is to make sure the school district stays financially stable and to support students and staff. Also, board members need to support as many activities as they can, Board members should stay current on state and federal laws that concern schools.
Carolyn Sue Bowen: I believe the role of a school board member is to look at the overall view of the school and make decisions that are sometimes easy and sometimes very difficult. We must be open minded to what will be best for the whole school not just a part of it. Because of my background as a student, parent, employee and board member, I feel I understand what it takes to help our school moving forward and preparing our students to graduate and become good citizens and leaders for years to come. Thank you for reading this article and I would appreciate your vote on April 7th.
Wade Hermansen: Important roles of a school board member is evaluation and leadership. A board member must be able to look past all the cheering, smiles, handshakes; and make a honest determination of the schools resources and performance. Hard evaluations require leadership, determination and sometimes hard conversations. A school board member must understand they communicate through their decisions. It is this communication that will set the climate and culture of the school. Decisions based on merit and professionalism will promote a culture of merit and professionalism.
Dale Phelps: First and foremost school boards look out for students. Education for all students should be at the top of the list. The school board member is also the voice of the community in how their taxes are being used to achieve what is best for the students, the staff and the facilities.
• Please provide a brief bio about yourself/your family.
John Sullivan: The Sullivan and Farwell families have lived in Barry County since the mid 1800’s. My mother, father, myself, wife, and two children are graduates of Cassville School.
Carolyn Bowen: My name is Carolyn Bowen and I am a candidate for the Cassville School Board. I am a Cassville alumna as is my husband, Don and our two daughters. I grew up in a family of educators where the topic of discussion was centered around school and school activities. My father taught math, coached basketball, football, was high school principal and county superintendent of rural schools. I had two aunts, a cousin and one daughter who all taught at Cassville. I was employed at Cassville school for 32 years and I feel I have a good understanding of how a school system should be evaluated and operated.
Wade Hermansen: Wade Hermansen graduated Cassville High School, Class of 1988, and then the University of Missouri in 1993. In 1995 I started Dry Gulch Mfg. which we still own and operate today. I am married to Christy Hermansen, a high school Communication Arts teacher, and we have 3 children in the Cassville School District.
Dale Phelps: Hi, my name is Dale Phelps. I am a 1990 CHS graduate. I have been married for 16 years to my wife Sarah. We have 3 kids two of which are still in the Cassville School system. I have worked for the same company going on 25 years.
• Please provide a brief history of your community service involvement.
John Sullivan: I have served on the School Board, Chamber Board, Community Betterment Committee, as well as activities and committees at church. I volunteer my time and services at the school including running concession stands, keeping stats, fixing food for various activities at school among other things.
Carolyn Bowen: We are active members of the First Baptist Church, several events with the chamber of commerce and other community activities as well as many school events. We have had a small business for the past 22 years. Being involved in these activities offers me the opportunity to hear and talk to parents and people in our community about our school.
Wade Hermansen: I am a member of the Cassville United Methodist Church. I am currently involved in the Cassville Chamber of Commerce, Cassville Rotary and various other small projects in the area.
Dale Phelps: I have been a volunteer for Cassville Fire for 14 years. I did 4 years of mighty mite coaching. I also coached youth baseball for 6 years, and was on the baseball board for 1 year.
• Why did you choose to run for school board?
John Sullivan: My love for kids and wanting to see kids succeed along with my love for the Cassville School District is my reason for running for the board.
Carolyn Sue Bowen: I am blessed to have grown up in a community that has made our school a top priority. We have around 1900 students, 250 teachers, and staff with hundreds of activities during a school year from K-1 through 12th grade. A board member must be open minded to all students, teachers, staff and parents needs. Serving on the board for the past two terms has given me the opportunity to see what it takes to keep a school system functioning at a high level of efficiency. We have great teachers, staff and administrators who have helped this school excel way above average.
Wade Hermansen: Only 1 of 7 current Cassville School board members have a student in the district. It is healthy for parents to serve on the school board and offer their perspective. A parent has a unique connection to a school; teacher conferences, banquets, music programs and other school activities makes a parent an accessible school board member. This accessibility allows a board member/parent to have their fingers on the pulse and health of a school in a very natural way. I feel it is time for a new generation of parent to step forward and serve our school.
Dale Phelps: I believe that there needs to be more parents on the school board that have kids in school. I was also told one time if you didn’t vote then you should not complain. So I decided to take it a little farther than just voting this time.
• What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing students in the district? How would you propose to deal with those challenges?
John Sullivan: I feel the biggest challenge for students is being prepared to be successful in life whatever their vocation. We need to make sure we continue to have quality teachers to prepare students for whatever pathway they choose.
Carolyn Sue Bowen: Our world is changing rapidly each day. Board members, administrators and teacher must meet these changes also, to give our students what they need to enter the world after high school. We will always need to keep up to date with the latest technology, books, equipment and facilities to make sure our students have what they need to be able to enter college, the work force or whatever they choose to do. Our school can only operate on the local tax base, state and federal monies. As a board member I will strive to help our school system have what it needs to prepare our students to meet our changing world.
Wade Hermansen: The challenges facing our students are no different than those of any rural district. Our students will have to compete with students from bigger districts with larger resources than our own. They will not be exposed to the platter of opportunities of larger communities. A student when equipped with an education and an understanding of the opportunities for him/her has a much greater chance to fulfill their talents and interests.
The solution is simple, teachers, teachers, teachers. They are the absolute backbone of any school district. As a board member you must try at every opportunity to create, enhance and promote a culture of energy. Energy in a school district doesn’t travel from the faculty/staff up, it flows down from the board and administrators. The board sets the tone on to what type of culture the school will operate. It must be a positive and energetic culture.
Dale Phelps: Technology! Our kids are more advanced than the school is in this field. We need to look at all the options to be more advanced even if it is out sourced. Communication! We need to have better communication between our school board and everyone in the system, not just the administration. I would look into ways that the board can be approached with confidence that the issue will be taken care of. Activity Funding! We have a lot of extracurricular activities that are funded by more than just the school funds. I would suggest other options to raise money for kids that cannot afford the additional cost.
• What do you think the role or philosophy of a school board member is?
John Sullivan: The role of a school board member is to make sure the school district stays financially stable and to support students and staff. Also, board members need to support as many activities as they can, Board members should stay current on state and federal laws that concern schools.
Carolyn Sue Bowen: I believe the role of a school board member is to look at the overall view of the school and make decisions that are sometimes easy and sometimes very difficult. We must be open minded to what will be best for the whole school not just a part of it. Because of my background as a student, parent, employee and board member, I feel I understand what it takes to help our school moving forward and preparing our students to graduate and become good citizens and leaders for years to come. Thank you for reading this article and I would appreciate your vote on April 7th.
Wade Hermansen: Important roles of a school board member is evaluation and leadership. A board member must be able to look past all the cheering, smiles, handshakes; and make a honest determination of the schools resources and performance. Hard evaluations require leadership, determination and sometimes hard conversations. A school board member must understand they communicate through their decisions. It is this communication that will set the climate and culture of the school. Decisions based on merit and professionalism will promote a culture of merit and professionalism.
Dale Phelps: First and foremost school boards look out for students. Education for all students should be at the top of the list. The school board member is also the voice of the community in how their taxes are being used to achieve what is best for the students, the staff and the facilities.
