Four people are competing for two positions to represent Highlands School Board Region 2.
Incumbent Debra Lehew will go up against newcomers Shane Chesher, Jeff Thimons and Whitney Washington in the May 20 primary.
Incumbent Nicole Kocon is stepping down.
Region 2 includes Brackenridge and parts of Harrison.
All of the nominees are cross-filed. Washington did not return messages seeking comment.
Chesher, 37, is making his second bid for school board because, he said, he can be an unwavering voice for parents and students in the district.
“I understand that people in the community, including myself, are very unpleased with the school district,” said Chesher, a maintenance worker.
“I know I can help bring positive change that is desperately needed.”
He believes the primary issues facing residents are “fixing an inadequate and failed educational system,” and creating an environment of parent and community involvement. He believes administrative changes are necessary to meet the interests of all students.
If elected, Chesher would also address security issues, he said.
“I want to help to provide transparency and accountability,” he said.
“I think communicating and working directly with the community would be a great start.”
Lehew, 58, believes the most pressing concerns include achievement, student learning, school culture and fiscal responsibility.
Her four years on the board have taught Lehew that school directors must approve policies that create safe learning environments for everyone, she said.
“We must focus on and analyze how our students are learning and what will help them to grow academically and socially and reach their fullest potential,” Lehew said.
She is seeking reelection because she wants to continue to serve the community.
“I am a student-centered leader and I believe I can continue to be a part of the planning for effective programs aimed at student achievement and success,” Lehew said.
Thimons, 50, said he would like to see positive changes in the district.
“I am a very honest person and believe transparency is owed to all taxpayers, regardless of social status or race,” Thimons said. “It is my goal to help all students achieve the most they can from public education.”
A school principal in the New Ken-Arnold School District, Thimons said every school has its problem areas and concerns.
“It’s how we handle those problems and concerns that matter,” he said.
“Treating all students, families and our community with respect while addressing those concerns will lead to positive changes.”
Thimons said transparency, student achievement for all and bullying are Highlands’ biggest issues.
He wouldn’t micro-manage administration if elected, but he would work to ensure the district uses staff and resources to educate and eliminate bullying “not only in the classrooms but in the entire school district.”
Chesher also said bullying is an issue that needs to be addressed directly.
“We need to stop it in its tracks,” he said. “Bullying typically starts in the home setting, so forming a plan and relationship with the parent, student and district would be just one way to help circumvent the problem.”
For Lehew, preventative measures would be a priority to tackle bullying.
“This requires education and training for all stakeholders,” she said.
“Recognizing bullying and identifying the causes, the patterns and the root causes should come first, followed by strategic and ongoing training for our students, our parents and families, our staff and faculty, our administration and our board. Honest conversations about the culture in the district must happen, and it cannot just be one training or session.”