Libby School Board hopefuls answer questions
Editor’s Note:
In an effort to provide readers with an unbiased election package, reporter Canda Harbaugh of The Western News requested biographical information and sent two questions to Libby School Board candidates Lee Disney, Bruce Drury, Ellen Parker Johnston, Jeffrey D. Koskela, Bruce Sickler, Sarah Crace and Gary Huntsberger.
Each candidate was given guidelines on length and answers are presented here in their own words. Not all candidates chose to submit photos.
Three full-term positions on the board are up for election – those currently held by Jerry Frament, GelaRae Koehler and Disney. Vying for those positions are Disney, Drury, Johnston, Koskela and Sicker.
Two other candidates – Crace and Huntsberger – are running to finish the remaining year on the term vacated by John Herrmann. Sickler has been filling that seat on an interim basis.
The election will be held May 5. The five candidates running for a full-term seat are presented first in alphabetical order, followed by the two candidates running to finish Herrmann’s term.
The Troy candidate package was published Wednesday.
Where to Vote on Tuesday, May 5
Libby – Polls will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at Asa Wood Elementary in the school gymnasium. The school is located at 700 Idaho Ave.
Troy – Polls will be open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at the school district’s administration building, located at 236 Spokane Ave.
Full-Term Candidates
Lee Disney
Age: 54
Occupation: Self-employed
Education: Associate’s degree, Class 4 Educator License
Libby Resident Since: 1957
What skills would you bring to the Libby School Board?
Twelve years as a current member.
What do you identify as the No. 1 issue facing the school district?
How to fit our shrinking class sizes into the schools we have, while still providing a quality education.
Bruce Drury
Age: 47
Occupation: Disabled
Education: Some college
Libby Resident Since: Born and went to school here, graduated in 1980
What skills would you bring to the Libby School Board?
Leadership, listening, time management, team work.
What do you identify as the No. 1 issue facing the school district?
Buildings owned by school district that are not being used by the school district.
Ellen Parker Johnston
Age: 69
Education: B.S., Elementary Education; M.A., Special Education; Administrative Credential
Occupation: Retired educator; currently owner/innkeeper of The Huckleberry House Bed and Breakfast of Libby
Libby Resident Since: Born and raised in Libby/Troy area until attending college at U of Montana. Though I wasn’t able to return permanently until 2006, I spent my summer and some winter holidays with my family in Libby. This is where my heart is.
What skills would you bring to the Libby School Board?:
I had the privilege of working in education for 37 years during which I held a variety of positions in several districts both in Montana and out of state. I taught elementary grades, instructed special education classes at all levels, served as a program specialist/teacher trainer, fulfilled the job of coordinator of Special Education/Child Care, served as a school principal and instructed classes at the college level.
I can bring the knowledge and experience from these positions to our Board of Trustees. I have practical knowledge of the issues the board must address – instructional strategies, curriculum development, evaluation of student achievement, staff training and management, parent and community involvement, extracurricular and after-school programs as well as budgeting and facilities/building management.
What do you identify as the No. 1 issue facing the school district?
Many districts, including Libby, have seen enrollment decline over the years. Declining enrollment equates to fewer dollars available to provide the level of education and services we want for our children. The thoughtful allocation of resources to where we can get “the most bang for our buck” has to continue to be a top priority of our board. Each and every decision should focus on what is best educationally for the children of Libby Schools.
Jeffrey D. Koskela
Age: 43
Education: Graduated Libby High School in 1984 and attended Helena Institute of Technology
Occupation: Owner of Kootenai Truck Repair
Libby Resident Since: 1966.
What skills would you bring to the Libby School Board?
Twenty years business management, bringing common sense and good judgment. A lifetime Libby resident with concerns for our children’s’ future.
What do you identify as the No. 1 issue facing the school district?
There are several issues that come to mind, such as fiscal budget, student enrollment, need and conditions of existing schools.
Bruce Sickler
Age: 47
Occupation: Drywall Contractor
Education: 1979 graduate Libby High School
Libby Resident Since: Returned to Libby in 1998
What skills would you bring to the Libby School Board?
Having served on the school board since last summer, I’ve learned a lot about the decision-making process in politics. I feel the most important thing to bring is an open mind, with no personal agendas. It’s important to hear every side of an issue, but in the end you have to vote what you feel is best for the kids in the district.
People that know me know that I am not easily influenced. I try hard to live my life with honest intentions and good common sense. It’s also important to me, if I commit to doing something I want to do it well. I have been to training seminars, and if I am elected to another term I will continue to go to all I possibly can.
What do you identify as the No. 1 issue facing the school district?
It’s difficult to choose just one issue, but I would say, what to do with Asa Wood. It’s apparent that we need to remodel, build new or as a last resort relocate the students. Our declining enrollment should level out in the next couple of years, so I believe we have made it through the worst of that.
Assuming that there are no major funding changes we will be able to continue offering the young people of Libby a quality education without giving up any extracurricular activities. We’ve also just begun our carving new directions five-year strategic planning. We have five different committees consisting of trustees, staff and community members. Many of the recommendations from these committees have already begun to happen, but we still have much to do. I would love the opportunity to continue to be a part of that.
Partial Term Candidates
Sarah Crace
Age: 33
Occupation: Housewife
Education: High school degree from Libby High School
Libby Resident Since: 33 years in Libby
What skills would you bring to the Libby School Board?
I feel I could bring a real positive attitude, and an understanding of what we need that only a person who attended school, and has students in the Libby public school system. I am active in many other school sports and activities with a good knowledge of what we are facing.
What do you identify as the No. 1 issue facing the school district?
I feel the No. 1 issue we face is Asa Wood School. I have had three children go through the school, and want to work with the community to find a solution to this problem.
Gary Huntsberger
Age: 64
Occupation: Hearth Products Sales & Service (retired)
Education: B.S. in Business Administration, M.S. in Special Education
Libby Resident Since: 1976
What skills would you bring to the Libby School Board?
I previously served six years (1997-2003) on the school board – the last two years as board chairman. I have also served on the city council and numerous volunteer organizations.
What do you identify as the No. 1 issue facing the school district?
Funding – we must effectively manage our financial and educational resources to achieve the No Child Left Behind mandates.