Hays Post
The Hays Post will be publishing a series of profiles introducing the community to the 10 candidates who are running for Hays USD 489 school board.
Those candidates are David Clingan, James Feyerherm, Jayme Goetz, Lori Hertel, Craig Pallister, Allen Park, Ruth Ruder, Duff Watson, Dennis Wilkie and Derek Yarmer.
The Hays Post sent questionnaires to the candidates asking for biographical information and why they chose to run for school board.
Not enough candidates filed for the school board to require a primary. The general election will be Nov. 7. The voter registration deadline for the general election is Oct. 17.
Duff Watson
Age: 60
Profession: I.T. director
Are you an incumbent? No. If so, years served?
Do you have children or grandchildren who attend Hays public school? No
Please give a brief bio on yourself in 100 words or less.
I graduated from NCK Tech in automotive repair and from Fort Hays State University with a degree in elementary education. I was a John Deere combine mechanic for seven years and then started teaching and taught for 18 years. I am starting my 10th year as the I.T. director at Holy Family Elementary here in Hays.
Please explain why you are running for school board in 500 words or less.
I am running for the school board position because I am interested and concerned about our children’s education. I believe that it is important to listen to everyone in the community, the faculty and staff, and the students to help guide decisions made concerning the schools. The students of our schools deserve an education that will help prepare them to become part of the solution for tomorrow's challenges.
Teachers already have guidelines on what the students need to be taught but need to be allowed to teach in a manner that the students can understand and grow with. So many teachers complain about how the teaching trends change over the years and then come back full circle and start over again. I believe they need to be supported in teaching the basics to our students and build from there.
I could go on and fill a page of the hot topics and keywords in education but that is not needed. I want to be on the school board to lead with common sense and help make USD 489 schools great schools for our students and staff.