On April 7th, Lafayette County voters will be going to the polls once again. On the upcoming ballet there will be three candidates for the Laf. Co. C-l school board. In order to learn more about our candidates, we have asked them to give our readers some information about themselves and their goals for the position. For the next two weeks we will continue to highlight each candidate. This week is Mr. Steve Dyer. Steve is currently serving on the board and is seeking re-election.

1.) Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

How long have you lived within our school district? What experience do you have for this position? My name is Steve Dyer, and I am a lifelong resident of Higginsville. Together with my wife, Kim, we have two children: Lynn, a graduate of the Class of 2024, and Alex, who is currently a junior. I operate a cattle and row crop farm. After graduating from Lafayette County C-1 I attended the University of Missouri-Columbia earning a degree in Agricultural Economics.

2.) Why are you running for the school board on April 7th? I am seeking re-election to further serve and contribute to the community that has consistently supported my family. I hope to continue to grow the strong partnership between our school district and the community that builds the pride in Husker Nation.

3.) What do you see as the biggest challenge facing our district right now? Currently, our district is facing the same funding challenges as many other local entities. Meeting new State mandates and increasing expenses has our District facing some tough decisions. To retain our highly skilled teachers, staff, and administrators as well as ensure a quality educational experience we will need to increase revenue. Also, without jeopardizing a well-balanced curriculum, we will have to identify possible cost savings and evaluate the sustainability of the programs we offer.

4.) What are your top three priorities if elected? Safety, quality education, and a positive experience for all students, staff, families, and community members who interact with the district are essential. All three must work together for a quality result. When students feel safe at school, they are more likely to engage in learning and have positive interactions with peers and staff. A positive school environment enhances both safety and educational outcomes.

5.) How should the district measure student success beyond test scores? At the beginning of every School Board meeting there is an agenda item for communications and recognitions, there are usually multiple students, staff and/or clubs’ accomplishments announced each month. High attendance rates and strong participation in extra-curricular activities reflect positively on a school district. Hearing stories of personal accomplishments and students reaching their individual goals. Seeing our District’s graduates succeed as they navigate their futures. These are all examples of success beyond the test scores to me.

6.) How can the district better prepare students for college, trade school, or the workforce? As a District, we need to recognize the importance of community collaboration. Input from community leaders regarding desired and future skill sets is invaluable, and these should be integrated with our students’ interests. It is also essential to retain high-quality staff who can build the curriculum and deliver the instruction to prepare students for these future roles. Continuing dual credit courses and affiliations with local colleges is essential for preparing college bound students.

7 How should the board support staff morale?

Communication is a key element. District leadership teams need to set clear goals for the district, so all stakeholders understand the priorities. All staff members should have a voice in the processes that will achieve those goals. Everyone should be treated with consistency, kindness and respect. As a Board, it is our responsibility to ensure that we hold the Superintendent accountable to these standards and clearly communicate that the decisions are made in the best interests of the entire District. When transparent and timely information is shared among staff, the administration, and the Board, it builds trust. We must recognize and appreciate the quality hard work our staff does and compensate them competitively and the best we can.

8.) How should the district address bullying and mental health concerns?

This requires a District wide approach. Board policy is reviewed regularly to ensure all avenues of prevention, intervention and community involvement are met. Prevention includes education of the harmful consequences of bullying and providing safe avenues to report issues. Intervention, keep our staff’s training up to date on recognizing and addressing issues such as bullying, mental health concerns, and academic struggles. Community at large involvement is important for promoting our anti-bullying message and informing people of the mental health resources that are available.

9.) How can the board improve communication with parents and taxpayers?

As a member of the Board, one of my responsibilities is to listen to concerns and ensure they are directed to the person best suited to address the issue. Our District has many sources of parent and stakeholder communication. The district website, Husker Alerts, surveys and forums are excellent sources of general information. If you have a specific concern, the email addresses of our teachers and administrators can be found on the website. Respectful conversations are also welcomed, with consideration for everyone’s time and responsibilities. Suggestions for better communication are also appreciated.

10.) What makes you the best candidate for this position?

As a lifelong member of Husker Nation, I cannot remember a time when our school did not have the support of the community. That trust is something that is honored and valued. Continually building trust and support of the community will always be a goal I have for our school. There is a responsibility to those who came before me to be a caretaker of these and all the district’s resources. Thank you for your consideration on election day.