Name: Sarah Meenen
Age: 45
Occupation: Office manager at Meenen Transmission & Auto Service
Education: Associate’s degree in business management
PERSONAL: Husband, Mike, and two children attending Kansas State University — Mark, a senior, and Rachel, a sophomore.
Q Why are you running for this office?
A After serving on the school board for almost four years now, I have a better understanding of how the district works and have gained knowledge on No Child Left Behind, budgets, teacher negotiations, and several aspects that will help me make good choices for the district.
Q If elected, what are your goals?
A To keep on track with AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress), budgets, retaining our great administrators and teachers, increasing student enrollment, continue positive promotion of the district.
Q How will the North Lyon County school board be better with you as a member?
A I have the experience of my children attending North Lyon County schools for their entire K-12 years and know the district fairly well. I have always been interested in education and keep the entire districts welfare in mind when making decisions.
Q What do you think is the biggest issue facing the North Lyon County school board and how would you resolve it?
A To choose just one issue is rather difficult as there are so many that are equally important. Of course we have The No Child Left Behind Act that will be a constant for many years to come. We have a great staff that works hard on meeting the needs of students and their education and would continue to focus on helping them obtain the tools, curriculum, computers and education for staff to help them meet the standards required.
Q What should the NLC school board’s priorities be when it plans a budget?
A So many things have to be considered in budget planning with many priorities. The state governs how a portion of the budget is used. We have to plan for the future needs of the district, from capital improvements, new buses to ensure safe transportation for the students, textbooks, computer updates, etc. Teacher, staff and administrative salaries are always a big consideration. Many details are taken into account during the process.
Q Looking to the future, what three things would you like to see happen in the NLC school district?
A 1. Growth in enrollment
2. Continue excelling in standards for No Child Left Behind
3. Continue to look for ways to provide all that is needed for administrators, teachers, staff and students to receive the best education possible.