Name: Greg Larson
Age: 43
Occupation: Assistant director for Emporia State University’s Memorial Union
Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas
Personal: Wife, Gwen, and three children: Alex, 14; Lucas, 11; and Aaron, 10.
Q Why are you running for this office?
A I have a keen interest in preserving the quality of education in rural schools. Both my wife and I reaped the benefits of being educated in schools located in rural Kansas communities. Our children have benefited from the small class sizes, caring teachers and administrators, and outstanding educational opportunities.
Q If elected, what are your goals?
A Goals should be inclusive of all district constituencies. Improving attendance at meetings to elevate discussion and understanding of our school district would be one of my goals.
I am steadfast in my belief that private funding sources can and must be identified in order to preserve and improve our schools in the 21st century.
Providing further educational opportunities for students and educators, such as increasing field trips and conference opportunities will improve the educational experience.
Q How will the North Lyon County school board be better with you as a member?
A While I certainly have a vested interest in the quality of our district’s education, I would bring a variety of skill sets to the board.
I have helped plan and implement large budgets in my job history with ESU and corporations. I also have been responsible for smaller budgets in my church and a day care.
In addition, I have been a negotiator for soft drink, food service, and vending contracts for ESU.
In my personal and professional committee work, I have been able to research possible solutions, determine the best course of action, and engender consensus among constituencies.
Q What do you think is the biggest issue facing the North Lyon County school board and how would you resolve it?
A Most rural school boards are faced with the double-edged sword of declining enrollments and public dollars. I certainly support efficient and responsible expenditure of public funds, but rural school districts are facing extinction. For the long-term future, we cannot guarantee any level of state funding. In fact, we may be forced by the state to consolidate, if our enrollment continues to decline. I know that we don’t want to lose our schools. This sentiment was evident when I served on the district’s Futures Planning Study Group.
Our enrollment has stabilized this year after several years of decline. We need to keep the momentum going. We can achieve this goal by sharing the good news about USD 251 with the rest of the area. Our schools are continually exceeding the standard on various state and national tests. Our graduates are accepting exciting opportunities throughout the nation. Generally, our schools are safe environments that promote the freedom to create and achieve. We must actively market ourselves to avoid losing children to other area districts.
Our momentum can only proceed with development of private funding. We need to implement our own fund-raising foundation. Other rural schools have achieved this dream.
Q What should the North Lyon County school board’s priorities be when it plans a budget?
A An after-school program is essential to keep students in the district. Often both parents/guardians work in another town in our district and are unable to pick up children when school is dismissed. An after-school program would provide a more structured approach to occupying students’ time and allow the parent/guardian more time for pick up.
The board must always consider investments in continuing education for students and teachers, deferred maintenance, and technology.
Q Looking to the future, what are three things would you like to see happen the North Lyon County School district?
A USD 251 schools are fundamentally sound. We will need to focus on private funding, marketing, and long-range planning.
Our fund-raising will need to include development of a foundation, including people to assist in research, planning, and implementation.
Our marketing plan will need to include promoting ourselves inside and outside our district.
Our long-range planning needs to be extensive and intensive. We must include all constituencies and be united for rural educational excellence.