Two veteran W-MU board members vie for one seat

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

*Editor?s note: Candidate?s responses were given via written questionnaire.

WINFIELD ? Two individuals currently sitting on the Winfield-Mt. Union Community School District Board of Education will be duking it out for one of four seats up for grabs during Tuesday?s election.

Board member Jay Nelson and current Vice President John Vantiger are each running for a two-year at-large position.

Vantiger has been on the board for four years, while Nelson has served sporadically over the last 15 years. Nelson said he was first elected in 2000. In 2010, he was asked to fill the remainder of the term of a board member who had moved out of district. The same thing happened in 2014.

However, Nelson said he has enjoyed his time on the board and finds it a great duty to serve.

?I believe as a member of this community I have a responsibility to maintain the viability of the Winfield-Mt. Union School District by ensuring that we are preparing our kids to leave school ?whether that be to a four year, two year or vocational school ? prepared to be contributing members of the community they live in,? said Nelson.

Vantiger said he is running for another term because he wants to continue to work to make W-MU an exciting place to come and learn.

Vantiger added his biggest strength as a board member is that he?s a good listener and he uses common sense when making decisions.

Nelson answered similarly saying that besides experience, he has the ability to listen to all sides of an issue and ask questions that challenge the process.

Nelson continued, ?I also have the ability to work well with the other board members, understanding that we always make decisions with the best interests of the community, our students and staff in mind.?

When it comes to the biggest challenges facing the district, Vantiger felt that ?getting everybody settled in and the school running comfortably,? was a major focus. Vantiger was referencing the new superintendent Jeff Maeder, who took the helm in July. Vantiger added updating classrooms was also a concern of his.

Nelson said that like all small districts, W-MU?s greatest challenge is to constantly strive to be able to offer students the best in academic and extra curricular programs so that W-MU is a district families want to send their children to.

?The school is the heart of any community, and we as board members must be able to work with, and listen to all of our community partners so that our school continues to be a strong district for years to come,? he added.

There are three other seats up for election. Current board members Daniel Schnurr and board president Klay Edwards, as well as newcomer, Stacey Buffington, are each running unopposed for the three at-large seats.

Board member Joy Sparrow is the only current board member not up for re-election.

Voters can cast their ballots at the Winfield City Hall from noon to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 8.