By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 candidates met at the Beach Schmidt Performing Arts Center on Monday night for an election debate.
All five of the candidates participated, Kelly Ancar, Ken Brooks, Craig Pallister, Curt Vajnar and Meagan Zampeiri-Lillpopp. The forum was made possible by the American Democracy Project, FHSU Student Government Association, FHSU Docking Institute of Public Affairs, Tiger Media Network and the Chamber in Hays.
The candidates were asked what revenue-generating opportunities, such as grants, partnerships, or innovative funding sources, they would use to help support operations or to keep taxes as low as possible.
Brooks, a board incumbent and risk management manager, said the school district will continue to pursue grants. The district is also establishing a committee to explore a policy for naming rights for its facilities.
"As our buildings are progressing, we will see more opportunities," he said. "We are eliminating costs of paying FHSU by not having to play here."
Pallister, who is retired middle school principal and served a previous term on the school board, said the Hays USD 489 Foundation provides grants to the district and teachers.
The foundation's annual auction fundraiser is Oct. 25.
Vajnar, a former USD 489 teacher and current business owner, said he hopes the district can hire a full-time grant writer.
He also references the foundation and the committee that is being formed to consider naming rights, or, as he prefers to call them, sponsorships.
Zampieri-Lillpopp, an incumbent who works for a nonprofit, said the early childhood program is already supported primarily through grants. The district also secured FEMA funds for tornado shelters. Private funds were also secured for some of the finishing at the new Hays High. She also mentioned that a committee has been formed to consider naming rights.
Ancar, a local business owner, said she also would support a full-time grant writer for the district. She said she would support the district partnering with the city for shared services, including HR, IT and maintenance.
Superintendent, board relations
The candidates were asked if the school board answers to the superintendent or the superintendent answers to the school board.
Pallister said the superintendent answers to everyone: the students, teachers, and parents. He said people don't have to start with administration; they can also share concerns with teachers, principals, or board members.
Vajnar said the superintendent brings items to the school board, and they discuss them. However, he said there is a chain of command. Teachers bring items to principals, which can bring concerns to building administrators, who can bring them to the superintendent. If needed, concerns can then be discussed by the board.
Zampeiri-Lillpopp said the short answer is that the superintendent answers to the board. However, she said the board members are lay people and they rely on the expertise of district administration, teachers and staff. She said the process is collaborative.
Ancar said the superintendent answers to the board. She said she wants more transparency as the superintendent works with the board.
Brooks said the superintendent is the only district employee who the board reviews. He said the superintendent collaborates with the board to meet the district's needs.
Bond projects
The candidates were asked if they thought that all the things promised in the bond vote had been delivered.
Vajnar said he thought the district had delivered on the promises for facility improvements. He said he thought the district is doing what is best for the teachers, principal and students.
He said he hoped the district was in a position financially to finish strong as it starts the remainder of the bond projects.
Zampieri-Lillpopp said, "I think we have given the facilities that were expected to host major artistic and sporting events. I think we have a very beautiful and welcoming facility for our community that we should be very proud of."
Ancar said she thought there had been a lack of transparency in the building process.
"I think board members should be able to see the plans far in advance of the building, and the public should be able to give input and the community have a chance to be heard."
Brooks said, "I do believe so far everything that was promised to the city of Hays has been delivered within budget and on time."
He said at least one school board member was able to walk the Hays High site every one to two weeks during construction, and all of the board's meetings are televised, allowing the community to watch all the presentations and votes on the bond projects.
Pallister said he thought the bond promises had been delivered. He said some change orders had been approved to provide for a better situation for teachers and students.
Class sizes
The school board members were asked about what could be done to reduce class sizes.
Ancar said she would pursue new sources of revenue to support smaller class sizes. Brooks said one of the goals of the bond was to create more instructional space. Pallister and Zampeiri-Lillpopp discussed the district's efforts to reallocate resources to where they were needed most, including reducing the number of students in classes at the lower grade levels.
Vajnar talked about the district's efforts through negotiations to retain and recruit qualified teachers. He also mentioned the additional space created through the bond projects. He also said he hoped the consolidation of the elementary schools could decrease the need for support staff.
Board relations
The board members were asked, "In the past, some board of education meetings have become contentious at times due to differing opinions. How do you plan to work professionally with other colleagues as a board of education member?"
"There are seven different personalities up there on that board," Brooks said. "Each meeting, there are differences of opinion, and there has to be compromises. If the vote doesn't go your way, you can't sit there and be angry.
"You have to continue to work for what's best for the school district and not worry about your personal feelings."
Pallister said you are looking at how to do the best for the kids.
"When they vote, they're voting yes, because this is good for our students. It will make our students more successful," he said, "not to try to represent a certain group of the community or say that it's a process. Your voting yes for kids, or it would not be good for kids."
Vajnar said, "There are seven people, and there are seven different perspectives from seven different backgrounds. We're going to have some discussions. If that weren't true, then you would just need seven rubber stamps and move on."
Zampieri-Lillpopp said she reviews all of the materials before the meeting, and she expects the other board members to do the same.
If a board member needs more information, the board can use those questions to educate the public.
Ancar said she thought that everyone can be committed to setting a good example.
She said she thought some pressure could be taken off the board members if they received the agenda packets earlier.