There will be races for the Knights Ferry, Valley Home, and Oakdale school districts’ board seats in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 Consolidated District Election.
In the Knights Ferry Elementary School District, five candidates filed papers to run for three board seats. Appointed incumbents Kym Cassaretto and Robert G. Brunker are running, as well educators Diane Noon and Sean McCarthy, and general contractor Shavon D. Haskell.
Valley Home Joint School District, which has an area shared with San Joaquin County, has three candidates who’ve filed papers to run for two board seats. They are businessman Christopher D. Hempleman, college professor Julie Haynes, and retired air traffic controller Spencer W. Ferrington, Jr.
More information is available on the Stanislaus County Elections Office website at www.stanvote.com. Only the local school district boards have contested races, other candidates are running unopposed for other local board seats.
Below are brief question and answer bios with photos on each of the Knights Ferry Elementary School District and Valley Home Joint School District Boards of Trustees candidates. The candidates in each race are listed alphabetically.
Knights Ferry Elementary School District
Robert G. Brunker
Q: Briefly, what are your qualifications for this office?
A: I have been on the Knights Ferry School Board for the last two years and have attended many board and school related workshops to keep up with the current board procedures such as budget and district finances, Brown Act, negotiations, curriculum and good boardsmanship. I attended a protocol workshop, held for the Riverbank District, inspiring us to hold our own district workshop which resulted in our current Board Governance Handbook. I attended a four day workshop with all of the teachers in our district which focused on Common Core State Standards for mathematics and English language arts with new teaching techniques for greater student focus and coherence. I have two years of college majoring in Business Administration. I am a Past member of Oakdale Hospital Foundation Board, past member of local fund raising committee for the Boy Scouts, past member of Oakdale Foundation for the Arts, past member of Oakdale Cowboy Museum Board, and am currently a member of the Oakdale Rotary Club with 22 years of perfect attendance and club president 1996-1997.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I am seeking a position on the Knights Ferry School Board to continue to offer assistance in making sensible and practical decisions concerning the education of the students, the future of our school and the community. I am confident that my past life and business experiences, added to the last two years on the board, will enable me to reliably participate in making informed decisions and recommendations to keep the principles of good business management properly aligned for the school’s success now and in the future.
Q: What are your priorities for this office?
A: My priorities are primarily to help support and guide a direction that will provide the best education possible for the students. With the school’s 2012-2013 API scores at 878, seventh in the county, I would like to be involved in increasing those scores which means maximizing the students’ potentials. It is important that the teachers, all staff and the Board work collaboratively to educate the students to their maximum potential. In addition to that, the students must be in a safe environment and in the presence of a positive leadership and atmosphere that is helpful with everyday tasks supporting good values and moral principles. It is also important to me to help make sure that the school continues to be fiscally sound now and in the future years.
Kym Cassaretto
Q: Briefly, what are your qualifications for this office?
A: Having worked in education for over 20 years, I understand the importance education plays in the lives of our children. Each and every child is our future, and we have a responsibility to provide the best education to each individual student as possible. Having advocated for, designed, and implemented educational services for children for over 20 years, I understand the value of strong leadership, collaboration, and the importance of making decisions that will serve the best interest of our children.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: As a parent who is not only greatly invested in my own children’s education, but who also has an extensive professional background in education, I believe I can contribute greatly to our school board. I believe there is tremendous value in having parents on the school board, as they are well invested and affected firsthand by every decision made for their children’s education and school, which allows for great perspective when making decisions as a school board member. Having a professional background in education as well enhances the contribution I can make as a school board member.
Q: What are your priorities for this office?
A: My priorities for this office are: 1) to ensure that the fiscal decisions made by the school board support the sustainability of our school and serve the best interest of our student’s. 2) to ensure that we foster every student’s individual potential. 3) to ensure that we enrich the ethics and character of every student.
Shavon D. Haskell
Q: Briefly, what are your qualifications for this office?
A: 16 years of Community Service on the KFCSD and KFMAC. 23 years as President of HHECS. Business Management skills. The third generation of Knights Ferry residents.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: To support the administration in implementing the Strategic Plan developed by the school board, staff, parents and community members.
Q: What are your priorities for this office?
A: To continue service to my community by being a part of insuring continued success in educating young people to the highest standards, regardless of hard economic times. Fiscal responsibility, accountability, and support for the ongoing upgrades for a safe and accessible facility.
Sean McCarthy
Q: Briefly, what are your qualifications for this office?
A: M.A. Education, Administration Credential, President of Cloverland Elementary School Site Council Technology Expert, and Teacher Trainer.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: As a proud parent and graduate of Knights Ferry School, it is time that I lend my experience and expertise in education to this wonderful community. KFS offers small class sizes and parent volunteers that enable us to offer an exceptional academic education and to maintain many programs including Art and Music.
Q: What are your priorities for this office?
A: I would like to add a technology focus for students and develop a program that encourages Problem Based Learning to address the Common Core Standards. Programs like this will raise the bar and enable Knights Ferry School to draw students in and increase enrollment to 140. This would reduce the need for combination classrooms and enable more lesson preparation time for teachers. It is my true belief that every School Board decision should begin and end with the question: “how will this benefit the students?” A school will always succeed and flourish when all decisions are based upon supporting student success.
Diane Noon
Q: Briefly, what are your qualifications for this office?
A: I have 27 plus years in education and have worked in many different capacities, from an instructional aide to administrator. This gives me a range of experience in the education field that allows me to understand what it’s like to be a teacher, a parent and be responsible for a budget. I have a master’s degree from the University of the Pacific to help further my education experience.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: Knights Ferry is a wonderful community and has a beautiful school. The students have some of the highest test scores in the county which gives merit to the high expectations from the teachers. However, the school is in a situation of declining enrollment. This is a concern because it means lost revenues.
Q: What are your priorities for this office?
A: I believe I have the understanding of how schools operate. Students need to be the first consideration. When a change is going to be made, classroom teachers need to be included because it will trickle down to the classroom. Parents, students and staff need a school climate that lets them know their voices matter. I’d like to be part of this happening in our school.
Valley Home Joint School District
Spencer W. Ferrington, Jr.
Declined to participate.
Julie Haynes
Q: Briefly, what are your qualifications for this office?
A: Having been in education for the last 10 years I have always had an interest in administration. Being in the classroom gives me the perspective I need to understand the daily challenges that come with teaching and time management outside of the classroom.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I am running for this board in order to help in any way that I can on an administrative level as well as to continue the foundation of communication. Communication between the board and community members, as well as the board and school administrators/teachers is paramount. I think that the ability to communicate efficiently and clearly is essential to reducing conflict and expediting results in our school. Regardless of the person(s) involved, the ability to convey concerns, criticisms, and appreciation regarding the district should be done freely and regularly as to avoid confusion and false truths.
Q: What are your priorities for this office?
A: My priority is to understand the most pressing needs of the students and work to resolve those needs. Taking into consideration the school/district and any restrictions that may apply, I think that through communication and disclosure those needs can be met and we can improve the students learning experience.
Christopher D. Hempleman
Q: Briefly, what are your qualifications for this office?
A: Valley Home School, graduate; Oakdale High School, graduate; Modesto Junior College, A.A.; University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A.; University of California, Berkeley, International Politics; St. Mary’s College, M.A.; JFK University, Law Student, current.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I enjoy serving our community.
Q: What are your priorities for this office?
A: Education is a big part of my life. I have been fortunate to have attended the best schools and want to carry on the tradition that helped me get a good start. We value the country way of life, but want to be sure Valley Home School is on the cutting edge of education.
