Candidates seek school board seats
On Tuesday Nov. 8, voters in Haywood County will decide from amongst a slew of candidates seeking election to the Haywood County Board of Education in a non-partisan race.
Board members must reside in a particular district, but are voted on by the county as a whole; there are basically three separate races this year in which voters will have to make a decision.
Longtime board Chairman Chuck Francis seeks reelection and is being challenged by Craig Messer of Canton.
Two open seats in the Beaverdam district are being sought by three candidates — Walter Leatherwood chose not to run again for his seat, and Rhonda Cole Schandevel gave up her seat to run against State Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, for her General Assembly seat. Richard Lance, Ronnie Clark and Scott Smith each hope to fill one of those vacancies.
Likewise, two seats in the Waynesville district are up, including that of incumbent Jim Harley Francis, who hopes to return to the board this fall. Lynn Milner is not running to retain her seat, meaning voters will have to choose from among Francis, Pam Martin, Kay Miller, Ann Barrett and Rebecca Benhart for those two seats.
In an effort to learn more about the people who want to help make the decisions that will shape the lives of Haywood County children, The Smoky Mountain News surveyed candidates for basic biographical information, their political intentions and their view of current board dynamics.
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Candidates Craig Messer, Scott Smith and Pamela Martin did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
County Board of Education Chairman
Chuck Francis
Age: 60
Town of residence: Waynesville
Professional background: Born and raised in Haywood County, Francis grew up on his parents’ farm. He graduated from Tuscola High School in 1974, and North Carolina State University in 1978 with a degree in horticultural science and a minor in business before joining Monsanto Agricultural Products Company in 1979 as a sales representative. In 1982, he left Monsanto to farm with his father, and then joined Kaiser Estech in 1990 as a fertilizer sales representative. Eventually, he was given the additional responsibility of managing the company’s fertilizer facility, located in Hazelwood. In 1999, he left the fertilizer plant to work for United Agri Products in Hendersonville as a sales representative, and in 2009 joined Coastal AgroBusiness where he now manages the Flat Rock facility. He and his wife Vicki have been married since 1980 and have three children, one of whom is a teacher in the Haywood County system.
Political experience: After serving as president of the Junaluska Elementary PTA and Waynesville Middle School PTO, Francis decided to become more involved in public education by running for the Haywood County Board of Education in 2000. He was elected and served four years as a Waynesville representative and in 2003 was named vice chair. Elected chairman in 2004, Francis has served in that role ever since, and in 2011 he further served as president of the North Carolina School Boards Association. He continues to serve on that board of directors.
Why are you are running for office? “I am running for office because I want Haywood County Schools continue to improve. During my tenure we have moved from 40th to 11th in student achievement, which currently places Haywood County in the top 10 percent of the 115 districts in the state. I want to seek ways to improve our teacher pay and be an advocate for our employees, parents and students.”
How do you see the current board’s relationship with current administration? “Our board currently has an excellent working relationship with our administration, as evidenced by our continued success. We have worked diligently together historically to accomplish many goals, including student growth and our facilities. The board has established good policies that allow our administration to achieve excellent results but with proper oversight by the governing body. The administration provides the board with concise and accurate information so we can make decisions that affect our students and are fiscally sound. We work together well to provide an excellent education for our students and continue to be good stewards of taxpayer monies.”
Do you have confidence in the current school board administration? Why or why not? “I have a tremendous respect for our current administration. (Superintendent) Dr. Garrett has done an excellent job. She has accomplished this by surrounding herself with high-performing and dedicated employees. Our administration includes some of the hardest-working folks I know. They wear many hats and have taken on more and more responsibilities as funds have become more scarce. The board and administration have worked hard to move Haywood County Schools from 40th in the state up to 11th out of the 115 school districts in North Carolina. This has been accomplished by a team effort that includes our teachers, staff, parents, students, administration, county commissioners and community.”
County Board of Education Beaverdam District (choose 2)
Richard Lance
Age: 67
Town of residence: Canton
Professional background: Lance earned a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in psychology from Western Carolina University and another master’s degree in criminal law from Rollins College. After his studies, he went to work in the children’s protective services field, and then began teaching at Haywood Community College in 1979. After that, Lance transferred to Southwestern Community College, where he has taught in the Psychology Department for the past six years. Lance has also served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 35 years, retiring in 2008 as a senior combat medic.
Political experience: None
Why are you are running for office? “My goal in serving as a school board member is to help build a school system that enables all children to be successful so that they may achieve their dreams.”
How do you see the current board’s relationship with current administration? “The relationship between the administration and board is only partially relevant. Both entities have historically been preoccupied with school ratings (which are quite good). Unfortunately, student assessment shows a different picture. In this state and in many others in the country, students who are college-bound make good grades, get accepted to college and then find themselves thrown into remediation for a year or more, as college expectations are much higher. The result is parents paying many thousands of dollars for education that they have paid for already. The State University of New York (SUNY) and others are developing tests to be administered in grade 11 to ensure basic competencies necessary for college success so that the senior year in high school can be used to remediate, whereas presently it is often wasted. Our school board can become a leader in the region by embracing this reality.”
Do you have confidence in the current school board administration? Why or why not? “I have known and worked with several board and administrative members through the years on various committees. There is no reason to expect that these people are not willing to give their very best to their profession. We are simply facing systemic challenges both in local and state governments, but with a progressive and knowledgeable school board in place, I expect great things.”
Ronnie Clark
Age: 48
Town of Residence: Canton
Professional Background: Clark’s parents never finished high school, which motivated him to earn an associates degree in applied science in business administration and then a bachelor’s degree in management. He joined the military but was honorably discharged after an injury, whereupon he began a small-dirt moving operation and Christmas tree farm as well as working part-time as a loan officer. Eventually he found full-time employment at Evergreen Packaging and now serves as a shift manager.
Political Experience: None
Why are you running for office? “As a parent, I know our children need a strong future. I will use my business education and work experience to make our school system strong again.”
How do you see the current board’s relationship with current administration? “I have watched several of the board’s work sessions, which are available on YouTube. I have also watched or attended several of the board’s regular meetings. I do not wish to downgrade the work they have already done, but I also believe that there is always room for improvement.”
Do you have confidence in the current school board administration? Why or Why not? “Though I do not want to marginalize anyone’s work, I know there is always room for improvement. I don’t ever want our county to experience another Central Elementary situation. It is my hope that our community can begin to feel informed on current issues facing our schools and potential future issues. I will use my extensive business experience to provide input to help overcome obstacles and help plan for the future needs of our schools, children and teachers.”
County Board of Education Waynesville District (choose 2)
Jim Harley Francis III
Age: 45
Town of residence: Waynesville
Professional background: Francis attended Junaluska Elementary School, Waynesville Middle School and Tuscola High School before earning a BSBA in risk management and finance from Appalachian State University, where he was also a member of the Gama Iota Sigma Insurance Fraternity. He served as a communications specialist for the North Carolina Department of Insurance from 1994 through 2000, as an educational trainer and instructor for Insurance Education Systems from 2000 through 2004, was an insurance agent for State Farm Insurance in 2004 and 2005, and currently works as the North Carolina Marketing Representative for Southern Mutual Church Insurance.
Political experience: Francis says he became interested in community and political issues in high school and has remained so, serving as chair and vice-chair of the Haywood County Red Cross. An active member at the First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, Francis serves on the leadership team, teaches Sunday School and volunteers at Junaluska Elementary School as well as Waynesville Middle School. He’s also served as the Waynesville representative on the Haywood County School Board since 2011.
Why are you running for office? “Coming from a strong family of educators, I have always been taught to help and serve others. Having had a grandfather as a teacher and principal, a mother that was a teacher, a sister that is a middle school teacher and numerous relatives that are teachers, I understand how important an education is and how it contributes to one’s success in life. Also being a product of the Haywood County school system and most importantly being a parent with two children in the Haywood County school system, I want to see our schools continue to grow and be the best they can be.”
How do you see the current board’s relationship with current administration? “I personally feel like the relationship with the current board and administration is good. The board as well as the administration has been faced with many tough issues in the past couple of years. We have had to work very closely together in order to resolve those issues for the best of our school system. I would like to see the board and administration continue to work closely together to make the Haywood County school system the very best it possibly can be. Despite the obstacles we have been faced with our school system continues to show growth.”
Do you have confidence in the current school board administration? Why or why not? “Yes. Running a school system is a very difficult job. There are a multitude of moving parts that you must keep up with at all times. You must keep track of students, teachers, personnel and parents. Also, there are continuous changes in the laws and regulations on federal, state and local levels. Community involvement is also a very important responsibility with sports and other events taking place throughout our county. The administration is responsible for all of this on a daily basis, which is not an easy task.”
Kay Miller
Age: 56
Town of residence: Waynesville
Professional background: Miller holds an MBA from Texas Christian University and is a former director of administration for the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School, where she was responsible for the daily operations of seven branches and 4,000 students. She also spent more than eight years as the executive director of the Haywood County Arts Council, where she worked with school administrators and teachers to bring art, poetry and music residencies, as well as live orchestra and dance performances to children. She is a member of the New Covenant Church in Clyde, and co-owner of The Classic Wineseller and Church Street Depot in downtown Waynesville.
Political experience: None.
Why are you are running for office? “I’m running for office because I want to: 1) Grow communication between the school board and the community it serves; 2) Improve teacher morale, credit teachers with a major role in Haywood County achieving Top 10 percent of school systems in N.C.; and, 3) Rebuild the school system’s fund balance.”
How do you see the current board’s relationship with current administration? “I’ve attended multiple school board work sessions, board meetings and a finance committee meeting. I’ve met twice with school administrators and one-on-one with several current school board members. My observation is that the current board’s relationship with the current administration is one that is professional and respectful of differing opinions.”
Do you have confidence in the current school board administration? Why or why not? “I’m confident in both the current school board and the administration because I have watched the interaction at meetings, I know that varying points of view are welcomed, questions are raised and disagreements are discussed in a respectful manner.”
Ann Barrett
Age: 65
Town of residence: No answer given.
Professional background: Part-time office manager
Political experience: No answer given.
Why are you are running for office? “I have been asked to run again by people I know, (and) I want to be sure that the children in Haywood County get the best education that they can.”
How do you see the current board’s relationship with current administration? No answer given.
Do you have confidence in the current school board administration? Why or why not? “The members of the board have a good working relationship and they all care about the children of this county.”
Rebecca Benhart
Age: No answer given.
Town of residence: Waynesville
Professional background: Benhart has experience as a Guardian ad Litem, has worked with the literacy council, served as a substitute teacher and postal worker and spent 35 years as a Girl Scout leader and director.
Political Experience: None.
Why are you are running for office? “I intend to be a change maker for the benefit of the hard-working students and teachers in Haywood County.”
How do you see the current board’s relationship with current administration? “The relationship of the board and administration does not appear to be adversarial.”
Do you have confidence in the current school board administration? Why or why not? “I don’t agree with several of their current positions. My proposed changes: limited homework, increased teacher supplements, adequate supplies provided and not paid for by the teachers, seat belts on buses.”
