APRIL 2ND IS ELECTION DAY: TWO SCHOOL BOARD SEATS TO BE FILLED

Washita County voters will head to the polls on April 2nd to select two Cordell Schools Board of Education candidates to fill Office No. 4 and the unexpired term of Office No. 3. Candidates seeking Office No. 4 are incumbent Levi Jones and Danielle Dick Ivey. Parker Christian and Cole Gregg are vying for Office No. 3.

Read on to find out more about these candidates.

Levi Jones: 

My name is Levi Jones, I am a 2002 graduate from Cordell High School and graduate from Garden City Community College with an Associates degree. I taught Diesel mechanics at Western Technology Center for nine years working primarily with high school juniors and seniors. I’m a 5th generation farmer in the Cordell and Cowden area. I have served as a volunteer firefighter since 2008 and currently hold the rank of Battalion Chief with the Cordell Fire Department. I’ve been married to my wife, Tesa, a 2006 Cordell graduate, for nearly 12 years. We have 2 children. Emerson a 3rd grader and Oran a 2nd grader. As a family, we are active members of Cordell First Baptist Church. We enjoy watching our children participate in their activities, which include basketball, softball, and baseball.

It has been an honor to serve on the Cordell School Board. I am running for re-election because I care about our school, students, and community. We have seen many improvements at Cordell Schools in my time on the board, including a new roof and air conditioners for the elementary, new air conditioners for the HS/ JH, a remodel of the gymnasium and many other small projects. In the future I hope to see many more facility upgrades so that our campus is able to support our students achievements. Most importantly better scores and a smaller ineligible list, this is completely due to the wonderful teachers and staff that we currently have in our school system. I hope to be able to support our staff in all ways possible.

Teaching Diesel Mechanics at Western Technology Center gave me a general knowledge of school business. Owning and operating my own business has taught me money and time management. My time with the fire department has taught me leadership, teamwork, and compassion for others. Through my life experiences I believe I have been given the necessary skills to be a good board member.

A concern for the district is division of our community. I believe this is largely caused by misinformation being shared. Over the last couple of years the school has had several good teachers and staff leave for various reasons, which is concerning. This seems to be a nationwide issue that is not just local to Cordell. I would also like to mention that there are many, many fantastic teachers who are still at Cordell educating our students. There have also been many wonderful teachers and staff hired who are great assets to the district.

The number of ineligible students has been a great concern. Over the last two years we have seen the ineligiblity list shrink significantly. The better scores and the smaller numbers of ineligible students is completely due to the teachers and staff at the school, their passion for teaching and love for the students is unmatched. I believe the school is on the right track concerning academics.

I believe my character and willingness to help others proves that I care about my community and the people around me. I am honest, trustworthy, and able to look at the big picture without bias. I think it takes a caring, giving attitude to be on the board of education. A board member must be concerned with students and staff, but also members of the community who pay taxes to support the school. This is why I think I am a good fit on the board.

I would like people to know that I do not take my position lightly. I also would like people to know that board members must remain impartial to their own wants and needs to do what is best for the school system as a whole, by doing this we can achieve great things for our school and community.

Danielle Ivey: 

My name is Danielle Ivey and I am 38 years old. I grew up South of Bessie and attended Cordell schools from kindergarten until graduating as one of the valedictorians of the Cordell class of 2003.

I now live south of Bessie with my husband, Drew Ivey, and our 4 children. I have worked for Cordell Memorial Hospital for 8.5 years as a radiology technologist and cross-trained in lab. I also help my dad, James Dick, on the family farm. I enjoy outdoor time with my family, fishing, farming, and antique shopping.

I come from a long line of educators in Cordell. Starting with my grandmother, Lorene Hull, and my mother Rosemary Dick, along with many other family members who have a combined 133 years in teaching or administration at Cordell schools. My grandfather was a Cordell graduate in 1930, and my kids will be the 4th generation to graduate from Cordell. Several current teachers at Cordell suggested I run for school board, and I feel an obligation to help ensure the best possible environment for our teachers and students. Working with people in the hospital setting has helped teach me how to communicate effectively and work as a team to achieve goals.

I believe one of the biggest problems facing our school currently is the recent loss of so many teachers and students. There are so many wonderful teachers and students who are still in Cordell schools, and they deserve to be heard when they voice concerns about the their workplace or learning environment.

Student safety and education as well as a happy working environment for teachers should be a top priority for Cordell public schools.

I believe I would be an asset to the school board, because I am a team player, good listener, and want the very best for Cordell public schools.”

Cole Gregg: 

“My name is Cole Gregg I’m a 2004 graduate of Cordell High School.

I reside in Cordell with my wife Stacey and children Conner and Cayce where I own and operate Cordell Manufacturing.

I have extensive family-ties to this community. I am not only Cordell Alumni, but my children are also students at Cordell Public Schools.

I am running for a position on the School Board because I think it is imperative that changes are made to improve the quality of education and extracurricular activities.

My reason for running for the Board is that I intend to be a voice for the community, educators, and students as a board member.

I feel as though it is important that board members listen to their constituents and that lack of communication has led us to this current disconnect among administrators, educators, students, and board members.

My professional skills have allowed me to be more articulative, which i feel is important when in a position as a board member.

In addition, I am very involved with my children’s extracurricular activities and see the deficiencies/ shortcomings that this school system is experiencing firsthand.

I know from speaking to community members that their concern of the mass exodus of qualified and experienced educators that we have been seeing is a primary concern.

I want to ensure that students are receiving the best education that will prepare them for their futures is a top priority I believe the quality of education that our students receive will directly impact their futures.

We don’t want to continue to lose educators and students to other school districts. We want students to continue to have same quality of education and experiences that I received as a student.

I would like to see that students also have numerous options, opportunities, and success in extra-curricular activities.

I believe whole-heartedly that these opportunities give students aim and purpose, allowing them to take pride in their teams and their education.

I believe that we need to mend the disconnect that we are experiencing with board members, educators, administration, and students.

I intend on offering a listening ear to community members, educators, and students to voice concerns and further ensure that we are providing the best educational experience for the students and a safe/ positive environment for our educators.

I have been a long-term member of this community. I want to see growth and more opportunities for the students in this community.”

Parker Christian: 

“I am 45 years old. I grew up in Dill City but have lived in Cordell for 19 years. I am married to Tosha and we have four daughters- Emma, sophomore, Olivia, 6th grader, Layla, 3rd grader and Della- 1st grader. I enjoy hanging out with my family and attending my kids activities, tending to my yard and golf.

My reason for running is because I care deeply about our community and school and I feel like there’s room for improvements in the way our school is being ran.

I hope to accomplish creating a school environment that student and faculty want to stay and prosper in.

Experiences and skills that have prepared me to be a board member- I’m a father of four and have experience developing new business and managing talented people.

I feel the biggest issue facing the Cordell school district is faculty retention, and communication among the community and administration Areas of concern are student participation in extracurricular activities and applying themselves to their academic responsibilities.

I believe I should be elected because I am a good listener and am level-headed.”