Name: Bill McClellan
Age: 39
Occupation: Redistribution supervisor at Interstate Brands Corporation
Education: Graduated from Emporia High School, attended Emporia State University
Personal: Wife, Marla, one son attending Northern Heights High School, one daughter and one son attending Admire Elementary.
Q Why are you running for this office?
A There are several things that I feel could be implemented/changed within USD 251 that would make it a stronger school district — stronger financially and academically. Including that at this time last year there was talk of consolidating schools and without anybody else running, the Admire area needs representation.
Q If elected, what are your goals?
A Several of my goals are to secure the financial future of USD 251, implement a P-12 curriculum rather than a K-12 curriculum, continue to analyze the feasibility of the suggestions for changes in the school district recommended by the self-study committee (composed of patrons and school district personnel) completed last year, and look strongly at the administration structure of the school district.
Q How will the North Lyon County school board be better with you as a member?
A I would like to think that I look at both sides of an issue rationally before making a decision. I also have the ability to look into the future to see how decisions made now could possibly affect the district 10 or 15 years down the road. With three children currently in the district I have a vested interest in the success of USD 251 from grade school through high school.
Q What do you think is the biggest issue facing the North Lyon County school board and how would you resolve it?
A There are two areas that most definitely will affect USD 251 in the next few years: State funding and NCLB (No Child Left Behind).
Funding for a school district is a constant challenge for any rural district, but especially a rural district as large as ours with three K-8 buildings in three different communities, one consolidated high school, and very little local tax base other than agricultural lands. There are several solutions that could save this district close to half a million dollars a year without “closing” a building totally, but the school board will have to continue to communicate openly with the patrons about why certain solutions are being considered.
NCLB may or may not go by the wayside when the next presidential elections are held. However, it is here and now and an issue the school board must address is whether our current academic structure and utilization of financial resources is the best for ensuring that AYP is made. It will also be necessary to look at our student population to make sure that not only the teachers and students buy into the idea of NCLB but also the parents of our students and the community at large.
Q What should the North Lyon County school board’s priorities be when it plans a budget?
A Allowing for reduced state aid while at the same time expecting the best education possible, and making sure that we are spending the tax dollars in a fiscally responsible manner for the patrons of North Lyon County.
Q Looking to the future, what are three things would you like to see happen in the North Lyon County school district?
A 1. Addition of a preschool program. Many of the parents work outside the North Lyon County Community and finding an affordable, quality, school sponsored pre-school program may be a recruitment tool to entice young families to relocate to the north Lyon County area.
2. Possible consolidation of junior high academic and sports programs.
3. Possible realignment of some positions in the district as enrollments fluctuate.