Name: Wayne Symmonds
Age: 55
Occupation: President and chief executive officer of Frontier Financial Partners.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Emporia State University; graduate of National Commercial Lending School at the University of Oklahoma.
Personal: Wife, Anna, a nurse at Newman Regional Health; stepchildren, Jessica, 21; and Trey, 19, who attended elementary and high school in the North Lyon County district; and Shane, 16, a junior at Northern Heights.
Q Why are you running for this office?
A As a fifth-generation Lyon county resident, I have a strong desire to support the citizens of the area. By serving on the school board, I believe I can positively impact the youth of North Lyon County and contribute to guiding and maintaining an effective educational system.
Q If elected, what are your goals?
A My goal is to ensure that the North Lyon County schools have adequate funding and vision to provide students with the opportunity to achieve academic excellence. It is imperative that we have the facilities, equipment, and technology to support learning — and funding to support the outstanding administrators, teachers, and support staff in the district who are committed to providing a quality education. I will work to that end.
Q How will the North Lyon County school board be better with you as a member?
A The public school system has evolved into a complex organization that requires focus on educational outcomes and organizational dynamics. I have the skills to understand the school system and the economic and social changes that are occurring within the State of Kansas, the nation, and the world. As the CEO of a financial institution that provides entrepreneurial capital to businesses, I plan and strategize daily. I have also served on numerous boards and committees dealing with strategic and financial issues. I would bring this skill and experience to the board.
Q What do you think is the biggest issue facing the North Lyon County school board and how would you resolve it?
A The biggest issue facing the NLC school board is the declining student population. This issue can be resolved by providing a high-quality education that attracts families with students to the district. To achieve this goal, the district must develop a strategic plan accompanied by a companion budget. As with any public strategic plan, successful implementation requires support based on the desires and values of the people living within the community. Implementation will require that the school district engage the small towns of the district, the City of Emporia, and Emporia State University to fully realize the potential gains in the plan.
Q What should the NLC school board’s priorities be when it plans a budget?
A After listening to the parents of students as well as other taxpayers within the district and considering the input of teachers and administrators, the board should prioritize funding in the following areas: the development of a strategic plan, the adoption of 21st century business practices accompanied by management disciplines, and the compensation of teachers, administrators, and staff. The priorities should be evaluated according to measurable educational goals, their fit with the outcome of growing the district, and their ability to eliminate inefficiencies.
Q Looking to the future, what three things would you like to see happen in the NLC school district?
A North Lyon County is a great place to live and raise a family. Three things that I would like to see happen in the NLC school district include: the school district would offer a competitive educational experience, the population would increase as a result of the quality of education, and NLC school district residents would enjoy the increased quality of life that accompanies improvements in educational systems.