School Board hopefuls share views
On Thursday, two more hopefuls put their names in for the soon-to-be vacant Starkvilleoktibbeha Consolidated School District Board of Trustees seat.
Renasant Bank Starkville Market President Donna Sims and Mississippi State University Foundation
Planned Giving Office Director Wes Gordon both submitted the required paperwork to be considered for the seat. A third candidate, MSU College of Education associate professor Ryan Walker, submitted his letter of intent Wednesday. The seat is one of three filled by the Starkville Board of Aldermen, while the other two are elected by residents of Oktibbeha County. The Gordon board of aldermen will consider the appointment of a new school board member at its upcoming meeting on July 2.
Gordon is a native of Columbus who holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in kinesiology from MSU. He has worked for the MSU Foundation since 2010, and worked at the University of West Alabama before returning to MSU. He is the father of four children, three of whom attend school in the district. His youngest will start at Sudduth Elementary School in the coming school year.
He said if the community wanted to be all it could be, great public schools were a requirement.
“I'm a product of a public school system myself,” Gordon said. “I understand how vital it is for a community, not just for thriving, but for the foundation it lays for all the kids in that county.”
Gordon has been involved with the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) at his children's schools, and has been involved in other volunteer work in the district over the years.
“I just think as far as helping with policy, and being a sounding board for the parents is the big thing,” Gordon said. “I'm not there to micromanage, but to do all we can to make Starkville an A school. Our kids deserve it. Our city deserves it, and anything I can do to help out.”
Sims is a 37-year veteran banker and a Starkville native. She has recently returned to town after many years in Madison, where her son graduated public school. She was involved in several volunteer capacities with the Madison County School District, and is a product of the former Starkville School District. She holds a degree in fashion merchandising from MSU. She has served on various volunteer boards.
“I've just always loved Starkville,” Sims said. “I'm just very passionate about the community, and of course, quality public schools help a city become more economically competitive, as well as influencing residential property values. As a business leader for Starkville, I'm very interested and want to help in any way I can to make sure that our schools are the best.”
Sims said she viewed the public school system as “the trunk of the tree” for a community. She admitted that she didn't have professional experience in education, but said her business background could bring a different perspective to the table.
“I bring more of the economic development side, business side that schools are dependent on,” Sims said.
She also spoke to the importance of the Partnership School. Sims
Businesses and individuals are going to locate in a community that has a strong school system, and I feel like I have a vested interest in that as a local business person here,” Sims said. “For our businesses to continue to thrive, we want to make sure that our schools continue to thrive, as well.”
The new board member selected by the aldermen will serve until March 2020. They will replace Lee Brand, who is stepping down form the school board after nine years to serve as dean and academic vice president of Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, Tennessee.