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.
Dennis Wilkie
Age: 45
Profession: project manager with Roofmasters Roofing and Sheet Metal
Are you an Incumbent? No
Do you have children or grandchildren who attend Hays public school? Daughter who graduated in 2022 and two boys who are attending O' Loughlin Elementary School.
Please give a brief bio on yourself in 100 words or less. Born and raised in Seattle, Wash. As a sophomore, I went to prep school and played hockey in Boston and then transferred to play hockey in Iowa. I have a broad understanding of different school systems due to my family moving and also playing hockey for different schools throughout the USA. I also grew tremendously as a member of the military.
I have five kids. My daughter, Kelsi, is a nurse in the ICU unit in Omaha; Madison is in the U.S. Airforce and currently stationed in Canada and Cassidy, who graduated from Hays High in 2022, is attending Kansas University for physical therapy. My wife, Kari, and I have two young sons who are attending O' Loughlin Elementary.
Please explain why you are running for school board in 500 words or less. As a potential school board member, I would love the chance to look for opportunities for our students to excel in every area of education and to be innovative and inventive.
We, as parents, members of the community, and teachers, each have a unique opportunity to mold and shape the next generation. The students that are in the classroom right now are the future, and the future begins now.
If voted as a USD 489 board member, I think that it is part of my responsibility to look for opportunities for the students to not just be status quo but to be the best that they can be. We want them to be the best leaders, who lead with integrity and morals, and lead with confidence because of the schooling they received and the sense of community that was instilled in them. Whatever field of expertise that they choose for a career, it is our responsibility to ensure the students we have in our classrooms today will have the skills and expertise to thrive as adults.
As someone who has lived all over the United States and whose children have attended schools both big and small, I believe Hays has great things going for it and has a great chance for continued improvement.
As a potential board member, I know it is inevitable that differences of opinions will occur and that we will face unique challenges over the next four years. I believe my faith, integrity and personal experiences are key to my making decisions in high-pressure situations and a unique ability to see the big picture. I am determined to not just sit back, but to really dig in and encourage staff, administration and teachers to think outside the box and find ways that we can strive to be the absolute best school district in Kansas —one that is concerned about education and not indoctrination. Our kids deserve a foundation in academics, character, responsibility and integrity so they can stand up to the challenges they will face in tomorrow’s world.