Name: Ty Robert Wheeler
Age: 40
Occupation: Managing attorney of Kansas Legal Services (KLS) of Emporia
Personal: Married Jill in 1993. We have two wonderful children Jacob, age 8, and Nicholas, age 4.
Q Why are you running for this office?
A Through my work with children and my experiences with my own children I have come to realize the pivotal role education plays in their lives. As an attorney I have been limited to addressing the needs of children after the fact. If elected I can help before there are problems.
Q If elected, what are your goals?
A I would like to become a strong but reasonable voice on the Board to assure that every child has access to a high quality education that encourages them to reach their greatest potential. I will strive to assure that the District has the staff and resources to meet the needs of every child. I will encourage collaboration between teachers and parents. And I will place emphasis on increasing the District’s graduation rates.
A How will the Emporia School Board be better with you as a member?
Q As managing attorney, I have represented over 3,500 children in Lyon County District Court. My experience in children’s law and handling the complex issues faced by many of my client’s has given me experience that would be valuable to the Board.
I believe that I can be an effective leader if elected. I currently serve as the president of the Board for Hetlinger Developmental Services and SOS Inc. I have served as the Co-Chair Community Planning Team for the Fifth Judicial District, on the Kansas Children’s Campaign, After School Task Force, the Compeer Board, and with other organizations.
Q What is the biggest issue facing the Emporia school board and how would you resolve it?
A Since submitting my name for the board I have attended the Board’s meetings. It is clear that the biggest issue facing the District over the next few years will be meeting the federal mandates set forth by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), while at the same time providing a quality education for every child.
The District has taken the first steps in adopting the District Action Plan. It will be important for the board to follow the implementation and progress of the Plan.
At the same time we must keep in mind that meeting federal mandates set forth in NCLB is not the true goal. Providing a quality education that allows every child to reach their maximum potential must always be the goal.
Q What should be the Emporia school board’s priorities be when it plans a budget?
A The Board must make sure that the District has the staff and resources to provide a quality education to every child. Quality educators must be reasonably compensated and retained. The Board must be fiscally responsible remembering they are spending the hard earned tax dollars of their neighbors and friends.
I have been responsible for adopting and following a budget for a complex non-profit. Through strong fiscal management we have been able to provide top quality services while maintaining a tight budget. I believe that my budgetary experience with KLS and other organizations will be a bonus for the Board.
Q Looking to the future, what are three things you’d like to see happen in the Emporia school district?
A The District must meet the NCLB mandates to assure ongoing funding. The Board must also assure that every child receives an education that allows them to reach their greatest potential. I would like to see additional emphasis placed on increasing the graduation rate.
Every teacher should have the time and resources to meet the needs of every child in their classroom.
Emphasis must be placed on encouraging collaboration between teachers and parents.
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barbara61 (anonymous) says...
You have my vote! I have an autisic son and I have struggled with this distric for the past 12 years. There needs to be reform for the special needs children that are falling through the cracks. We want our kids to have the best too. I would encourge anyone that has a disabled child to vote for Mr. Ty Wheeler. His heart is in the right place. I think he can restore our faith in a broken system. Thank you
Barbara Stegmann
March 29, 2007 at 9:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )