School board candidates claim maintaining jobs as top priority

Schoolboard candidates are from left, Bobby Riley, Jeff Lawrence and Mary Lou Kimmons.

Janet Morales

The second half of the Candidate Forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, featured the three candidates vying for the two vacant seats on the Moberly Board of Education. Incumbents Bobby Riley and Jeff Lawrence and former board member Mary Lou Kimmons are seeking one of the two spots available on the Moberly board.

In his opening comments, Riley said he is on the new high school task force which is investigating the possibility of constructing a new high school. He said with the continual repairs that are made to the building, the district might save money if the voters approved a proposal for a new high school.

“I believe in being fiscally responsible with the least impact on students,” said Riley.

The candidates were asked what cuts they would make in the budget in light of the poor economic conditions and the likelihood of deep slashes in state funding.

Riley said he didn’t want to point to any specific areas but said the board had “cut quite a number of things” at the last meeting.

“We have done a lot so far,” he said. “The last thing I want to cut is staff that impact our kids.”

Riley reminded the audience that the money they spend locally and in the state helps to provide funds.

Lawrence said he wants to cut anything the state refuses to reimburse. And while he doesn’t want to cut jobs, he sees it as necessary to not fill vacancies created by retirements and resignations.

“We want to keep everyone employed,” said Lawrence. “But when people leave, we sometimes have to learn to live without that position. We cut well over $1 million without cutting programs.”

Except summer school.

Riley said because of budget shortfalls, the board decided not to offer summer school this year. He said parents were notified as well as the YMCA so they would be prepared for the additional month the children would not be in school.

“I was very dismayed we were not able to offer summer school this year,” said Lawrence. “But that is $564,000 non-reimbursable cost.”

The questions was asked if they would be in favor of parent-paid summer school.

Mary Lou Kimmons expressed doubts to the legality and the feasibility of having parents pay.

“I don’t know if you could charge parents, if it is legal,” said Kimmons. “I don’t think you could get parents to pay to send their children to summer school.”

Riley and Lawrence also expressed concern over the legality but both said they as parents would pay for daycare or alternatives so paying for school would be a good option.

In regards to the construction of a new high school, the incumbents again sided against the challenger.

“We have high unemployment,” said Kimmons. “At this particular point in time, for me, it wouldn’t be a priority.”

“I say there’s no time like the present,” said Riley.

Some have suggested building a new lower elementary building before a new high school. Riley said teachers and a clean environment are most important for elementary students. But lacking proper facilities and equipment can inhibit learning at the high school level.

“Construction is our business, it’s our background,” said Lawrence, owner of L&J Development. “The high school is not dangerous, it’s not a health risk. But as the community continues to enlarge, we’re running out of things we can do in the building. We’re throwing lots of money at it to patch it up. Exploring building a new high school could save money in the long run.”

In the end, each candidate stressed the importance of working for the needs of children and the great support they receive from school administration and staff.