Hamilton USD 390 Pos. 4
1. What is your primary reason for running for this position?
I am running for a position on the Hamilton USD 390 school board because I believe I have a duty to be of service to my local community. I grew up in Greenwood County, left Greenwood County for eight years of education after high school, and have since returned to rural Virgil and started a family with my wife, Alix. This school district, administration, and staff have created a ton of enthusiasm and excitement over the past few years, and I can’t think of a better school district to try and help expound on that growth and energy.
2. What is your vision for your city/board of education and how would you help achieve it?
USD 390 has enjoyed a significant bump in enrollment numbers, and I would like to see that continue. One of the greatest draws to the school has been the continuous forwardthinking mindset of the administration. Increased focus on technological education and agricultural education has led to a large amount of interest and instilled excitement on the part of parents and students about the possibilities this small, rural school can offer. I see the growth and popularity of the school as an absolute boon to the town of Hamilton and Greenwood County as a whole. As anyone would tell you, one of the first questions that parents ask when potentially moving to a new location, “How’s the school?”. By continuing to work with the current administration and the momentum that they have created in technology and agriculture, I think Hamilton could become a shining star in the State of Kansas in those areas.
3. What three issues do you consider to be your “top priorities?” I think many small, rural schools consistently face similar issues. Retention and recruitment of high-quality educators, low enrollment numbers which subsequently affects state funding, and infrastructure issues which can range from needed building repairs to technology concerns such as internet or computer upgrades. These are all important topics that every school board and administration has to do their best to handle. Outside of these big picture areas, I am particularly interested in readiness curriculums that help to prepare students to enter college, trade schools, or the workforce. The USD 390 administration has made leaps and bounds in this area lately, by aggressively applying for and earning state and federal grants that they are using to facilitate the curriculum, in particular the agricultural facility and the ROAR after school program.
4. What background do you have that will help you in this role, if elected?
As a lifetime local citizen, and potential future parent in the school district, I am invested in our local schools. I graduated from Madison High School in 2013 with a class size of 16 students, and then spent eight years at Kansas State University pursuing a veterinary degree. I have since returned and worked in Eureka since graduating in 2021. All that to say, I have seen and learned from many different educational perspectives that I hope to utilize in this position.
5. How do you feel the current board/council is doing in their service?
I think the current members of the USD 390 board have done a tremendous job. The last several years of robust growth has sparked an enthusiasm in the Hamilton community that has people interested and involved in their local school. This school district has seen some incredible challenges over the last couple decades, and these current board members have placed their stamp on the district and that is why the future for USD 390 is so bright.
6. Please list personal information or other information you feel is important.
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