Five File For Dodson School Board

Nestled on the west side of the county, Dodson School District has two school board positions that are up for election this year. Currently, the positions are held by Bonnie Lankford and Lisa Campbell. Candidates that are seeking positions to guide and direct the Dodson School as board members are (alphabetically): Montie Banks, Caleb Best, Lisa Campbell, Michael Ereaux and Rob Williamson.

The election will be conducted through mail-in ballots, as are all the school board elections this year. Voters have until May 7th to have their ballot at the office of the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder, or have mailed them prior to arrive in time for a valid ballot to count.

As with the candidates throughout the county, a questionnaire was provided to each candidate and those who have responded are provided here. There was no response from Campbell. Due to Best being out of state at the time, connections were not completed to provide his responses. Answers with N/R indicates no response.

Share with the readers your employment, family, schooling and education:

Banks: I am currently disabled through the VA as I was injured in Iraq in 2004. I am currently married to the most amazing woman, Samantha. I adopted two of her children, Bentley and Lillian, last year. They are currently attending Dodson school and are involved in many of the school sports and activities. I graduated from Kamiakin High School located in Kennewick, Wash. in 2000.

I served for over seven years in the US Army, including a combat deployment from 2004-2005. I was injured by a roadside explosive device and received the Purple Heart. After I was medically separated, I went to Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, WA., received my AAAS degree in outdoor power and turf equipment as a certified technician. My family decided to move here to Dodson two years ago to assist my grandpa Al “Hoot” Minugh. The man that raised me and the one I call Dad is Mac Minugh, graduate of 1975. We fell in love with the area and have decided to stay for as long as life keeps us here.

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: I graduated, I currently work at Island Mountain at Hays; I have five kids, ages 14,11, 7, 4 and 2. I am a veteran from the US Navy, serving from 2008-2011. I am a Seabee.

Williamson: I am currently retired, I have been married to my wife, Halle for 45 years; I am a graduate of Dodson.

What factor did you consider when you decided to run for School Board?

Banks: As the school mascot and a seasonal employee, I decided to run for the board as I noticed a few issues that could use some attention and because I love what this school has done for our children. I want to keep things going for all our children to succeed.

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: Kids. The kids and trying to bring back some of the programs that have been lost over the last years since I graduated, such as band, music, after school programs that will give the kids someplace to go after school, and if they need it, some help with homework to keep them up on their assignments. I’d like to bring more parental involvement into the school.

Williamson: I wanted to get involved in the community again.

Do you have any experience in education or on boards?

Banks: While I don’t have any education training or certification for public school, I served for about 10 years on the board of the Walla Walla Wagon Wheelers, including a term as the vice president. The Wagon Wheelers is primarily an equine riding group, but also serves as the Sheriffs posse and mounted search and rescue. In the Army I served as cadre/ instructor for new recruits and for current soldiers changing their military job.

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: I do attend the school board meetings and try to learn as much as I can. I am pretty much invested into the school as much as I can be.

Williamson: I have served on the Dodson City Council, Phillips County TV Board and Dodson Cemetery Board.

Do you have any concerns about the future and education of the students in the school system?

Banks: A primary concern I have for the students is the bullying that occurs, unfortunately. I do not want any child to feel unsafe at school due to the actions of a few other students. Our house has become a safe haven for all the kids. They are always coming over to play with our children and to avoid the bullies that are around. Many of them have begun to call my wife mom and calling me dad.

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: It is parental involvement - Dodson lacks parental involvement. For hiring for coaching staff thing, they have a roll-over thing and if you coached last year, you get first dibs on coaching and they give you (pay) what you got last year, if not more. I’d like something like that done away with and have a fair field…basically have people apply, get interviewed and have them vote on the best candidate.

Williamson: I have no major concerns, but do feel we need to keep basic standards up.

How do you think the school is handling the current budget and sticking to it? Do you feel there are any downfalls or areas for improvement?

Banks: As of now I feel the budget is being handled well but I do not know all the details to tell me otherwise. The salaries and pay for all staff is not adequate for them to make an affordable life. This has been an issue I experienced and that I have been told personally by some of the other staff. I want to know why they are not paid more for what they do and I hope to help fix it.

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: Yes and no. We lost a few programs I would like to see reinstated, I would like more of a chance for people to be involved; I’d like to see that all those interested in applying for positions be given a chance…I am all about being fair across the board; you have to have people who want to make things fair on the board, instead of personal agenda or whatever it might be. It should be an agenda for everyone and not just themselves.

Williamson: I think the current administration is doing a good job.

What is your opinion on the current salaries of teachers and non-certified staff?

Banks: I believe that not playing favorites, or having that buddy-buddy system that appears to be happening between board and staff members, would be beneficial to retain future and current staff, including better pay/ benefits.

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: I attended the meeting last Tuesday and they did something that was really, really cool - over the next two years, it is a projected thing for employees that have been there for x number of years, they get an increase based off of how long they have been there. The only concern I have is for the bus drivers; I don’t think they’re getting a fair shake. Trying to be competitive with wages.

Williamson: There is always room for improvement.

Does the school offer adult ed; if not, do you think they should consider them?

Banks: N/A

Best: N/R

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: I am unaware of any.

Williamson: No, it should be looked at in the future.

What ideas would you like to bring to the board for consideration and public input?

Banks: N/R

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: There’s a few things; there is a half fence on the corner of the school I would like to see finished up. If they are going to have some security they need to wrap it all around the school property. Last year, somebody showed up, there was possibly drugs and alcohol involved, and they were calling out to my daughter to come with them; I think they mistook my daughter for their child or grandchild. That’s where the fence would come in to play, it may not totally stop them from taking a child, but at least it is a barrier that would slow them down and have a chance to protect the child.

Williamson: N/R

What would you like voters to know when preparing to cast their vote?

Banks: I just want the parents of our students to know that I am here for their children and for the teachers. I want to do everything I can to make that happen. It might take some time to implement any changes, rest assured that I would do what I could to make them happen. I hope that this answers a few of the questions and feel free to contact me with any other questions you may have.

Best: N/A

Campbell: N/R

Ereaux: I have always been an honest person and some people don’t like someone who is truthful and puts it forward. I am pretty blunt, pretty straight forward; my whole outlook is, I will do anything within my power to make things better for the school. If there is a valid concern I will present it. Honest, open communication is the way it has to be.

Williamson: I would approach things with a common sense approach.