Published: December 12, 2007
Modified: December 19, 2007 at 11:08 am
Three candidates for a Deer Creek School Board seat agree that growth is a big issue but isn't the only one the district will face in the next five years.
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Incumbent Shelley Denton, 45, filed for re-election last week for the Office 3 seat on the board, as did residents David H. Miller and Anthony Shanbour. The election is Feb. 5, and if a runoff is necessary, it will be April 1. The post has a five-year term.
"These are challenging times in Deer Creek," said Denton, who has two children in the school system. "We must continue to stay focused on the students while we deal with the exponential growth. I would like to see Deer Creek compete on a national level."
She said teachers and administrators will do more research on new education methods so they can improve the success of students.
Shanbour, 47, said he decided to file after receiving encouragement from other residents in the district.
"They felt like it would be nice to get some fresh ideas on the board," he said. "I don't feel like the school board has been receptive to talking to parents."
Shanbour said he's had some concerns with some decisions in the district, such as purchasing only 30 CDs that came with new science textbooks instead of getting enough for all students. Students must check out the CDs when they need them.
Miller, 63, said the district needs to have a good master plan for the coming years.
"I have seen tremendous growth, and I'm very concerned about the lack of direction and planning," he said.
Miller, who has a grandson at Deer Creek High School and soon will have a granddaughter in the school system, said board members may have to make some unpopular decisions such as putting students in portable classrooms until officials have finished a good master plan.
Miller said he thinks he has good managerial skills that will help the district, as well as the time to dedicate to it since he is retired.
"My biggest concern is: Will the quality be there when my youngest (grandchild) goes into the system?" he said.
Denton said board members and administrators should continue to focus on the long-range plan to prepare the district for growth. The process to update that plan has started, and board members have discussed it at their meetings.
Shanbour said better planning will help the district. For example, Rose Union Elementary School opened at capacity in August 2006.
"Knowing the growth of the area, we should have built it for more (students)," he said.
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More Info
School Board elections
What: Deer Creek Office 3 board election.
When: Feb. 5; runoff April 1 if necessary.
Where: Voting will be in precincts within the Seat 3 district.
Candidates:
Shelley Denton, 45, incumbent
David H. Miller, 63
Anthony Shanbour, 47
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