USD 234 district to honor outstanding board members

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

By Rayma Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

USD 234 is paying a special tribute to school board members, who contribute to the betterment of the local school district.

According to a press release from the USD 234 Board of Education, the Kansas Association of School Boards has declared January as School Board Recognition Month in Kansas. The month has been declared a time to establish an understanding of the essential role the school board plays in the community, according to the release.

According to USD 234 Superintendent Rick Werling, the diligence of the local Board of Education members has positively affected the local schools.

"Our board members have shown a real commitment to academic excellence," Werling said. "Their concern for doing what's right for students has helped our teachers focus on what is really important in schools. Our board members realize that our resources might be limited, but that doesn't mean we can't (or shouldn't) provide an education for our students that will prepare them well for whatever the future holds for them."

When asked how he thought the school board affected the students, teachers and the overall function of the schools, board member Ken Rienbolt said the decisions made by the local board members can have an influence on students long after they have graduated.

"One of our main goals is to set up a budget that the teachers will be satisfied with," Rienbolt said. "Also, we need to give students enough resources to do well. Besides academic (resources) we also need to offer extra curricular activities which will help the students develop socially."

Rienbolt added the social skills the students learn while in school will help them as they venture into the world as adults.

Board of Education member Jim Womeldorf, who has served on the board for six years, said along with making needed decisions, the board should help provide support for the administrators and teachers.

"We hopefully provide oversight for the administration to their job," Womeldorf said. "We're not there to oversee the day in and day out activities of the children. Our job is more oversight and also taking care of any financial issues as they come up. We assist the administration and teachers in providing the students with the best education they can get."

Former teacher and current board member Janet Braun, who has served on the board for six years, said the board member's diverse backgrounds enable them to make better informed decisions.

"I feel like I bring something to the board because I've taught in the district," Braun said. "You need a good mix, and we all have our own strengths."

Also a former teacher, board member Justin Meeks said he is honored to have been able to serve on the board for the last two years. Meeks added both of his parents were educators when he was growing up and he, himself has an education degree and has taught at the college level.

"Education is a power and a tool that gets you far in life," Meeks said. "I saw the impact teaching had on the students."

Serving on the school board also has a special meaning for Rienbolt because he has three children who are currently attending school in the local area. However, he said knowing he may be able to help other students in addition to his own children means a lot to him.

"It's important for me to be on the board and look into how we are doing things and maybe help other students who need help," Rienbolt said.

Womeldorf said he too has had children in the local district. Although he currently has no children of his own in the school system, he does have a grandchild who attends school in Fort Scott. According to Womeldorf, the local district provides excellent educational opportunities for the students in the local area.

"The quality of education in Fort Scott has always been good," Womeldorf said. "It still is. We've got strong administrators and teachers. They're there for the kids and they are enjoyable to work with. They're there for the right reasons."

Having previously worked for the Kansas Association of School Boards for a year coupled with his time spent on the local district, Meeks said he is confident the local area operates a successful program.

"We have a great district," Meeks said. "The numbers speak for themselves. Our AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) numbers are phenomenal. The teachers and administrators are doing a good job."

According to Braun, along with the hard work of the teachers and administrators, another attributing factor to the success of the local school district is the board members' diligence in setting appropriate policies which are fitting to the current time period.

"We go through policies and revise where we need to revise in order to keep current," Braun said.

According to Werling, the diligence of the members of the board of education makes them invaluable to the local school system.

"Kansans benefit every day from the dedicated energies and countless hours devoted by these public servants," Werling said. "School board members unselfishly contribute their time and talents toward the advancement of public education. They represent a continuing commitment to local citizen control and decision making in public education."

Of the seven USD 234 Board of Education positions, three are up for election in April. Rienbolt, who has served a four-year term on the board said he will be seeking re-election in April because he has really enjoyed serving as a board member.

"I like the interaction with the other board members and the administration," Rienbolt said. "And just getting an overview of what's going on in education here in USD 234 and across the state."

Board members Jeff Knopp and Phill Quick, both who have served eight years on the board, did not file for re-election, according to Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long. Local resident Steve Floyd has placed his name on the April ballot hoping to fill the position which will be vacated by Quick. Former board member Rebecca Weddle will be running for Knopp's seat.

In regards to the USD 235 school district, Uniontown residents will vote for three open school board positions. Two current USD 235 school board members Doug Coyan and Elden Luker are seeking re-election in April, and Uniontown resident Matt Wood has filed for the position which will be vacated by board member Terry Nading.

Three Fort Scott Community College Trustees -- James Fewins, Myrtle Colum and Eric Ammons -- will be seeking re-election in April, according to Long.