LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. – On April 2, citizens around the Lake of the Ozarks will head to the ballot box to vote on a variety of issues. One of those issues is the school board elections.
Lake Expo submitted the same five questions to each of the individuals campaigning for a seat on the Camdenton R-III Board of Education. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to approximately 50 words per question. Below are the questions and each candidate’s answers, verbatim and unedited. The candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
Camdenton R-III Candidates:
Jim Besancenez, Darin A. Keim, Nancy Masterson, Bill Moulder, and Tom Williams
Jim Besancenez
1. In light of the recent resignations by school administrators, what role do you believe the school board should play in the administration of the school district?
When my consent on major issues requires my vote as a member of the board, it is my duty to those who elect me to make the most educated decision possible in order to vote what I believe is in the best interest of this district. My role should be that of an informed decision maker.
2. What role should federal and state governments play in setting standards for local schools?
It is no secret that I voted against RTTT since I believe in the local control of our schools. Being a retired teacher, I can speak to the fact that programs in education, such as No Child Left Behind and RTTT, only tie the hands of teachers leaving students to suffer.
3. If the bond levy is passed, where specifically in the district would you want the spending priority to be placed?
The bond levy is specifically devoted to much needed construction of and modifications to the elementary buildings in Osage Beach and Hurricane Deck including updates in other buildings. I would have like to included highly deserved raises for our teachers.
4. What issues do you think are of the most concern for teachers in the district?
Federal mandates that mirror restrictions and requirements to teach to tests such as No Child Left Behind are concerns of mine. These mandates often place undue burdens on teachers. Pilot experiments in education on children often are not proven successful methods of teaching because we are forced to teach to tests.
5. Do you believe changes need to be made in the district to assure parents their children are being prepared to excel in their future educational endeavors and in life? If so, what specifically do you think needs to be changed?
Camdenton R-3 offers many courses on several academic levels to insure students receive the best education possible. It is okay to push students to educational excellence, and teach them a little 'old fashioned hard work' will get you there. Every student won't always get an "A:, but that is real life.
Darin A. Keim
1. In light of the recent resignations by school administrators, what role do you believe the school board should play in the administration of the school district?
The school board does not function to administrate the schools. The school board should hire all administration personnel, assist in setting policies and goals and support the superintendent in enforcing the policies and reaching the goals.
2. What role should federal and state governments play in setting standards for local schools?
I believe the federal and state government should provide financial support to schools. However, I feel the federal government is too far removed to set guidelines or curriculum that will provide for the individual needs of school districts. One size does not fit all.
3. If the bond levy is passed, where specifically in the district would you want the spending priority to be placed?
It is very clearly written in the verbiage of the bond where the money will be spent. If passed it will be used to build a new Osage Beach Elementary, update the Hurricane Deck Elementary and provide additional security measures in the rest of the district.
4. What issues do you think are of the most concern for teachers in the district?
I believe that implementing the new Common Core standards and testing along with the salary structure are some of the top concerns for teachers of the district.
5. Do you believe changes need to be made in the district to assure parents their children are being prepared to excel in their future educational endeavors and in life? If so, what specifically do you think needs to be changed?
I do not believe fundamental changes need to be made. However, due to the changing standards and curriculum, we must be prepared to meet these demands while preparing our children for the future. That is why it is crucial to have administrators who keep us on top of educational trends.
Nancy Masterson
1. In light of the recent resignations by school administrators, what role do you believe the school board should play in the administration of the school district?
The board sets goals for the Superintendent. Besides fiscal responsibility, his most important job is to retain and hire the best qualified educators so our students receive a quality education. The policy and goals we set should be what is best for our students, the staff, and our community.
2. What role should federal and state governments play in setting standards for local schools?
They should set realistic standards allowing us locally to decide how to implement. When the state and federal government mandate actions, they should provide the funding and other resources to accomplish that mandate. They should level the playing field, so that states like Missouri with higher standards are not penalized.
3. If the bond levy is passed, where specifically in the district would you want the spending priority to be placed?
Spending priority is outlined in the bond issue – construction of a new elementary in Osage Beach, new construction and renovations at Hurricane Deck, refinancing 8 million of existing debt, and security upgrades at other buildings in our school system. All these items have priority and affect all of our students.
4. What issues do you think are of the most concern for teachers in the district?
Job security, equitable compensation and other benefits, a safe school environment, support from their building principals and administration, the resources to do their job effectively and living in a great community are a concern for them. The priority of these things will be different for different teachers and their families.
5. Do you believe changes need to be made in the district to assure parents their children are being prepared to excel in their future educational endeavors and in life? If so, what specifically do you think needs to be changed?
Changes have occurred over the last few years, and will continue. Education is not static as evidenced by the information age that has dramatically changed the information that is available. Our students should be prepared to be life-long learners, seek out, analyze and apply information to make solid decisions.
Bill Moulder
1. In light of the recent resignations by school administrators, what role do you believe the school board should play in the administration of the school district?
Resignations aside the role of the school board is and always should be the voice of the patrons of the district. A school board member role is one of team work with the community, and the school, and his fellow school board members remembering a team is only as good as its weakest link. The school boards role is to advise the school administration of the community’s desired direction and to work with the school administration to implement practices and policies that reflect the community’s desires. A school board member does not micromanage the operation but entrusts the school administration to execute their jobs to the best of their abilities and then report back to the board on issues that may arise and address changes that may need to be made. Neither school board nor any school board member should ever interject themselves into day to day operations unless a serious issue arises within administration that requires immediate action on behalf of the board to act in the best interest of the school district and the community. The school board should be a coach and a motivator to the school administration to achieve the highest level of achievement at all levels.
2. What role should federal and state governments play in setting standards for local schools?
The role of State and Federal standards within our school districts are well entrenched. Monies for education are tied to practices established at the Federal level, passed onto the State level and finally to the local school districts. No one likes to be told how to act in their own back yard period. The truth of the matter is simple though maybe unsettling school districts are obligated to act according to these standards. Even if no monies are received by a school district they are still obligated to act under the standards established by the Department of Education because they are a public school district that are spending tax dollars. The role of the department of education is to ensure that education standards across this country are on a level playing field hence the common core concept. Testing and rating of students, teachers, and districts under the common core concept will align all schools under one standard. The feeling of lack of control by local school districts and even private schools is understandable; however districts may have no impact on these standards as a singular body due to established laws. The only solution left open to the local entities is to work with their legislative body to achieve change.
3. If the bond levy is passed, where specifically in the district would you want the spending priority to be placed?
If the bond issue is passed in the Camdenton School District the voters have already been promised how the money will be spent and I will support the promise. I think the school board and the administration have devised a very good plan to upgrade the buildings and facilities to accommodate and facilitate a safe and productive learning environment.
4. What issues do you think are of the most concern for teachers in the district?
I would address this question as all employees as it takes every employee in every job to make the district a success. The number one concern is stability and leadership within the board. Pay is always a concern of any employee with any organization and finally direction of the school district as a whole.
5. Do you believe changes need to be made in the district to assure parents their children are being prepared to excel in their future educational endeavors and in life? If so, what specifically do you think needs to be changed?
I believe the Camdenton School District is doing a good job preparing our students to move forward and be productive. I see professionalism and pride in the employees as a whole and a belief in what they are doing. As education standards change I think the Camdenton School District is willing and able to follow those changes to make certain our children enter life with a sound educational footing.
Tom Williams
1. In light of the recent resignations by school administrators, what role do you believe the school board should play in the administration of the school district?
I believe that the school board’s responsibility is to support and direct the Superintendent. The board should ensure that they have established clear performance expectations and provide regular feedback specific to those expectations. The board should set strategic direction and support the administration to meet that direction.
2. What role should federal and state governments play in setting standards for local schools?
I believe that the most effective change in a school comes from within itself, not from external government standards. At times government standards raise the bar on performance, but I believe it is critical that schools have the ability to create their best approach in meeting those standards.
3. If the bond levy is passed, where specifically in the district would you want the spending priority to be placed?
I believe the spending priorities should be as presented by the school district – construction of a new Osage Beach Elementary, additional construction on the Hurricane Deck Elementary, refinancing of current debt, and the prescribed security upgrades for other facilities in the district. These are much needed updates for our students.
4. What issues do you think are of the most concern for teachers in the district?
The teachers have stated large concern for staying competitive with teacher compensation. As the financial picture has tightened for many schools, including state budget cuts to programs like Career Ladder, the challenge of staying competitive with compensation have become increasingly difficult. We need to focus on this large concern.
5. Do you believe changes need to be made in the district to assure parents their children are being prepared to excel in their future educational endeavors and in life? If so, what specifically do you think needs to be changed?
I believe the district needs to continue to share key information about student performance and the efforts that are being made in the classroom everyday to insure educational accomplishments. Clear concise communication among administration, teachers, students, parents, and the community is paramount to guarantee the successful journey of our students.
