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Issues are important for USD 408 BOE candidates

Staff writer

Hoch Publishing Company, owner of the Marion County Record¸ Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, asked all candidates in Marion County to respond to questions regarding the reason they are seeking election or re-election.

USD 408 Board of Education Position Four candidate Keith Collett and Position Six candidate Lyle K. Leppke, both incumbents, declined to respond.

Following are responses from the other candidates.

Position Five

Jan Helmer

1) Why do you want to be re-elected to office?

Helmer: “I would like to be re-elected so that I can be a part of a group of seven who make important decisions about USD 408.”

2) Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the current administration? Why?

Helmer: “I am satisfied with the current administration. I believe they communicate well with each other and feel their goal is to provide what is best for the students.”

3) What is your background and/or qualifications for office?

Helmer: “I’m a parent, a clerk of district court for 17½ years, and active in community organizations.”

4) What are your goals for the school board? How do you plan to accomplish them?

Helmer: “To make sure we provide our students with the best education possible. Hopefully we can accomplish that by making sure our teachers are the best teachers around.”

5) What is the most important issue facing the school board? Why?

Helmer: “Budget cuts. It is hard to keep staff motivated when there might be concern of jobs, services, etc.”

6) Tell us about yourself — career, family, residence, etc.

Helmer: “I’ve been employed with Marion County District Court for 21½ years, married to Darin Helmer for 25 years, and have two children — Lauren, a freshman at KU; and David, a freshman at MHS. I have lived in Marion my whole life and am very active in the community.”

Position Six

Gary Alleven

1) Why do you want to be elected to office?

Alleven: “I want to be elected to the USD 408 school board simply because I feel very passionate about education. I have always been driven to learn new ideas. This is exemplified by going through my formal years of school, college, graduate school, and even completing a five-year electrical apprenticeship. Consequently, I have spent a total of 12 years in the classroom past high school. Now that I have three boys at the elementary level, my passion is even stronger. I try to instill in them that knowledge is power. Moreover, I am always curious to find out how other kids I know are doing in school. The school board would provide a ‘vehicle’ to display my passion to the kids of USD 408. It also  would allow me to be a voice for parents and teachers.”

2) Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the current administration? Why?

Alleven: “I feel those currently serving on the school board deserve our appreciation. These individuals have stepped forward to do what they feel is in the best interest of kids, parents, and teachers. If chosen, a practical and rational approach will be used to handle issues.”

3) What is your background and/or qualifications for office?

Alleven: “I feel in order to be an effective voice for the school board, one should have spent considerable time in the classroom learning as well as some time teaching. Being exposed to both, allows a person to better understand educational issues. My classroom training includes a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and psychology with a minor in theology. I also have had numerous courses in mathematics. I also have a master of arts degree in clinical psychology. Lastly, in a career change, I spent five years in an electrical apprenticeship. My teaching experience includes that of a graduate teaching assistant and I taught for a period of time at Butler Community College.”

4) What are your goals for the school board? How do you plan to accomplish them?

Alleven: “With all my years in education, classroom, as well as teaching, I am extremely impressed with the program at Marion Elementary School. I focus on the elementary because of my children. I am sure the middle school and high school are just as outstanding. My goal, in a broader context, is to see that students and teachers have the tools to continue their tradition of excellence. The voices of the parents also will be heard with enthusiasm. Moreover, in order to handle various issues effectively, I will be practical as well as rational.”

5) What is the most important issue facing the school board? Why?

Alleven: “One important issue is potentially moving the sixth grade to the middle school. Not only are children at this stage of their lives at a unique turning point, but the ‘safety’ of the elementary level and the demands of the middle school and high school levels are called into question. Due to these complexities, considerable discussion is warranted. A second issue is the current grading scale. A more difficult grading scale does push some for excellence. For other students, perhaps not. Should a happy medium be discussed? This issue should be debated.”

6) Tell us about yourself — career, family, residence, etc.

Alleven: “I grew up in Sioux Falls, S.D. My mother, younger brother, and older sister still reside there. I then spent four years at a private college near Rochester, Minn., where I earned my bachelor degrees. I then went to WSU where I earned my master’s degree. I spent about four years employed as a psychologist. I had a career change, and have been a journeyman electrician for 12 years. I married Barbara (Hett) in 1997. I have three wonderful boys. Garrett is in fourth grade and is 9, Cade is in first grade and is 6, and Will is 5 and is kindergarten. I currently live at a new home built in 2007 on Sunflower Road.”

Last modified Feb. 26, 2009

 

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