PLACE ONE



Larry Hennesy

Did not respond



Mike Rosenberg



1. Tell us about yourself. Discuss your background.

I was born in Cooke County in 1949. I attended Robert E. Lee Elementary School and Gainesville Junior High School and graduated in 1967 from Gainesville High School. I am a college graduate and hold a bachelor of science degree and masters degree in education and English literature. While enrolled in high school school I participated in many campus organizations, debate, athletics, student council and was student body president during the 1966-67 year. My father worked in the oil field until I was 13, and then he opened his own business downtown. My mother taught school at J.M. Lindsay Elementary School for many years. I have a sister who also attended and graduated from the Gainesville public schools and graduated from University of North Texas and was an educator in Dallas Independent School District for over 30 years

I have been married for 34 years and have two children, age 32 and 30. They both work in the Metroplex area. My daughter is a graduate of Texas A&M University and my son is a Navy veteran of Desert Storm. I have no family members employed by the Gainesville ISD. My work experience includes teacher, coach, janitor, school bus driver and school administrator.

I retired as superintendent of Gainesville Independent School District in 2005. My father's health was failing and I made the decision to do what I could to make his final years as comfortable as possible. He passed away very shortly after my retirement. I also lived up to my promise that I would stay as superintendent no longer than six years. I felt strongly that this would give the district the opportunity to bring in a new leader with fresh ideas.

I have spent the past six years of my retirement serving as a financial consultant, dealing primarily with investments. I attend the Presbyterian Church.

 

2. What made you want to run for the school board?

When I was hired back in 1999, the main charge given to me by the board of trustees was two-fold. First, to place the school district on a sound financial foundation and most importantly to improve the educational opportunities for all students. I made a six-year commitment to achieve those goals and with the help of caring parents, staff, administrators, board members and most importantly dedicated teachers, we accomplished a great number of those objectives.

All of us worked hard to improve the image of the school district and to offer each student the opportunity to be successful, to learn and to be prepared to contribute to society. We accomplished these goals without one tax increase or budget crisis during my tenure. We never relied on the state to provide the means for our success because, as the current state of affairs proves, there is no guarantee that state funding will remain consistent or adequately available from year to year. My decision to run for the school board was based on the fact that there seems to be one controversy after another taking place that reflects poorly on the way the district is being operated. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent removing and then paying off staff members who apparently angered someone or refused to participate in doing what is best for the students of the district.

I also grew frustrated with what seemed to be the blatantly constant interference from the board of trustees in the day-to-day operations of the school district. There is no reason to have a superintendent of schools if some members of the school board continually deliberate to change the mission of the district based on their individual whims. No superintendent can be successful under such circumstances, and so it raises the question of “Why spend over $160,000 a year to hire a superintendent if his recommendations are not needed or heeded?” If this is the case, then explore ways to legally dispense with the superintendent’s position and allow the board to legally administer the day-to-day operations of the school district. Such standards or laws do not exist in the state educational code. During my tenure as superintendent, I was not saddled with a board that wanted to micromanage the school district and we had some success. Some members of the current are too worried about their own agenda and seem to care only about their individual, personal objectives for the school district. Many times, this narrow view excludes what may be in the best interest of all students, faculty and staff.

It is not logical to believe that school boards and superintendents are going to agree on each and every issue. But once a majority consensus is reached by this “team of eight,” as it is called, then they must work as a team to make good, even great things happen for the students and staff of the school district. This consensus is not reached when two or more board members meet downtown to discuss problems the school district may be facing. By law, this consensus is reached in a legally posted and agendized meeting, where all board members are present along with the superintendent of schools. Factually and legally, that is why school boards exist. Not to administer the daily operation of the district, but to approve policies that enhance the education environment and opportunities for all students, faculty, parents community and staff. Failure to recognize the aspects of this dutiful responsibility by school board members diminishes the effectiveness and success of our schools. It also negatively affects our students and teachers. For without competent teachers and campus administrators who are empowered, no school can be successful.

 

3. What are the most important issues facing the Gainesville Independent School District?

The most important issue is to get the school district back on a sound financial footing. Retain outstanding teachers and staff, plus quality administrators who value learning and treasure the axiom that every student can learn. Hire staff members who care about this community, want to live in this community, and are dedicated to teaching every student ever day. Value the opinions of staff members and parents — and respect all involved in the process of educating the youth of GISD. Identify what we can accomplish within our financial means, and cut out those programs that do not work in the best interest of the taxpayers of the community. No school district can provide all things for all people. It is fiscally impossible!

 

4. Do you have any specific ideas for how the GISD can weather the budget shortfall?

Because of the decrease in enrollment in GISD which came about because of several factors — including the economic downturn the nation suffered — there are a variety of strategies that can be implemented to address these problems. The confusing aspect of this current financial situation is that the current board was warned on several occasions that this shortfall was coming, but waited until the what seems to be the last minute to address its negative repercussions. Strategies must now be developed short-term to deal with the lack of funding. This is and will continue to be a great challenge to the school board of GISD. All seven members of the board and the superintendent must move quickly to assure the taxpayers of this district that such shortsightedness does not occur again. Ignoring the coming problem with school finance will never make it go away.

 

5. What feasible new policies would improve the school district?

The first policy that should be pursued is the adoption of board standards that lawfully open up the school district to review by its patrons, parents and staff. All decision should be reached publicly during board meetings where issues are openly discussed, debated and professionally deliberated. Board members should allow the superintendent to administer the day-to-day operations of the district and do the statutorily and trustee-based job they were elected to do. When the board excludes professional educators, staff and parents from the process then all involved suffer. I feel strongly that following existing, lawful policies and not ignoring them will prove the point that new policies are not needed. All board members should follow the written codes already in place.



PLACE TWO



Leannya Craven



1. Tell us about yourself. Discuss your background/biography.

I was born in southern California. I am the oldest of five children on my mother’s side and the middle child of 17 of my father’s children. My family move here when I was nine years old. I went to school here until my senior year and graduated in Greenville, Texas. So, basically, I was raised here and chose to raise my family here. I have six children who have attended GISD either most of or all of their school careers. My two oldest children attend GHS. Sharon, who is a senior and Alex, who is a junior. I have one at Lee, Cerah, in fourth grade; two at Chalmers, Andrew in third grade and Savannah in second grade; and one at Edison, Joseph, who is in kindergarten. I have two step-children, Nadene and Mark, who are twins who reside in Alberta, Canada. We are devout Christians who are very active and serve in our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have served as well as various members of my family in many capacities with church and in our community; where currently, I am Gainesville Band Booster President, Youth Choir director/coordinator, and family history consultant at church. I have served as NCTC Bible Study president for one semester, Parent Group president and vice president each for one year for two consecutive years. And I have served in many different positions at church that encompasses the boundaries of our region surrounding at least three counties in our congregation.



2. What made you want to run for school board?

I love to serve, especially in my community. I saw an opportunity to serve the children by bringing a fresh perspective to the table about how we can give our children a great educational experience, raise test scores, and help them have good self-worth.



3. What are the most important issues facing the GISD?

Quality education, finances, TEA report card, lack of participation, integrity, and accountability - or lack thereof.



4. Do you have any specific ideas for how the GISD can weather the budget shortfall?

I have many ideas, but specifically, conservation of resources which include, but are not limited to, smart financial choices.



5. What feasible new policies would improve the school district?

Policies that would be encouraging all from the students at Head Start to the faculty and staff of the district to acquire good leadership and accountability skills. I have programs in mind that may not cost anything that has been proven to promote honor, raise test scores, help increase parent participation, and bring back true Leopard Pride.





Penni Nichols



1. Tell us about yourself. Discuss your background.

I have been married to my husband Shane for over 20 years. We have two children. Our son Dakota is 18 and a senior at Gainesville High School and our daughter Kenedy is 14 and an eighth grader at Gainesville Middle School. We also have a daughter we call our own who lives with us named Charisma and she is a sophomore at North Central Texas College. My husband and I are both graduates of Gainesville ISD and we are very proud to be raising our family in this community. We’re both active members of First Baptist Church where we work in the youth group. I sing in the choir and also sing in the praise team. We have always been very involved in the community serving in various roles, including coaching our children in their various sporting events, serving in PTA and helping with community projects, etc. I am currently a mentor with Project Turning Point and I have also previously served five years on the Gainesville ISD board. I am employed with Bell Supply in Gainesville, working in the purchasing and inventory department.



2. What made you want to run for school board?

I have a true passion for this community and especially for Gainesville ISD. I believe although we have many things we need to work on, Gainesville ISD has a wonderful staff and schools full of bright students who can make a real difference in this world. I believe teachers in general are true heroes and are grossly under paid — and I am not just speaking specifically about GISD, but across the board. I believe the role of the school board is to serve as a support role to aid our teachers and administrators in providing what they need to do the best job possible. I am concerned about the focus of the board over the past few years as a whole. I believe the one true question that should guide GISD is “What is best for the students?” I believe over the last few years, the board has lost sight of that and their focus seems to be on many other things. At the end of the day, the only purpose of a school district is to educate kids — period.



3. What are the most important issues facing the GISD?

I believe there are several key issues facing GISD. Clearly the budget crisis is top on that list. I also believe getting back to the basics of education is high on that list. We need to stop spending time and energy on things that do not directly effect the education of children. I believe another major issue GISD is facing, as stated above, is the focus of the board in the last few years. Serving on the board should be an act of public service, not about politics. Personal agendas and personal gains should NOT be a part of decision making for GISD. I believe that people serving on the board, or are employed by GISD, should have one and only one concern: OUR STUDENTS!



4. Do you have any specific ideas for how the GISD can weather the budget shortfall?

There is no doubt that this budget crisis is a difficult situation and there are no clear-cut answers. I believe the place to start is to talk to people who know better than anyone what we do and do not need to educate our kids — and that is the TEACHERS. Start with asking them what they can do without and what they cannot do without. What we can cut that will have the least negative impact on our students? Clearly this will not fix the whole problem, but I think that is the best place to start. It is hard for people not actually in the classroom day in and day out to decide what does and doesn’t need to be cut.



5. What feasible new policies would improve the school district?

I believe we do not need any more new policies. I believe before we start creating anymore new policies, we should start consistently following and enforcing the policies we currently have in place. I honestly believe the biggest step that can be taken to improve our school district is for us to allow the qualified professionals we have hired to actually do their jobs with as little interference as possible. The concept of a board serves a great purpose — but that is not to be the educators or act as the administrators; it is to serve as a support group to do all they can to enable the educators and administrators to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.





Doug Wade



1. Tell us about yourself. Discuss your background.

I received a bachelor’s degree in engineering and technology from Oklahoma State University in 1979 and accepted a design engineering position with Weber Aircraft in Burbank, Calif. I transferred to the Gainesville facility in 1985. I have worked in the design of passenger seats and galleys for commerical aircraft and the design of ejection seats for military aircraft.

I have been married to my first wife for 30 years (in July). My oldest daughter Jaymie is a 2003 Gainesville High School graduate, a 2007 Hardin-Simmons University graduate and is currently teaching a second grade class in Frisco. My oldest son Jake is a 2006 Gainesville High School graduate and will graduate from Hardin-Simmons University in May 2011. My youngest son Tyler is a freshman at Gainesville High School. My wife Karen and I have been active members of the GHS Booster Club since 2002. I have served as the secretary, as co-president, and will be serving as the vice president next year. I currently serve on the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Board. We are active members of First Baptist Church in Gainesville, where I serve as a deacon and my wife teaches a Wednesday night Bible study. In additon to the above, I help my wife run a food catering business.



2. What made you want to run for school board?

The GISD school board has played an integral part in the success of our schools and has always had the ability to provide a very positive effect on the students of our community. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve Gainesville in this capacity. The current Gainesville ISD school board has done a very good job and I see an opportunity to be a part of something good for our students.

 

3. What are the most important issues facing GISD?

There are two issues that come to mind. The most important issue facing any school district is how to provide the highest level and quality of education possible. GISD is no different in this aspect. The best fix for this situation is already in place. The teachers and staff of GISD should be commended for having done a tremendous job of taking the curriculum given them and providing a very good quality of education at all levels of our schools. Just as important, we have an aspiring group of students with future goals in mind that provide proof of the successful efforts taking place in our schools.

The second issue that comes to mind is a negative aspect we seem to be burdened with at GISD. This is a terrible misconception that could be solved by working closer with our city officials and our great community. The one thing I have learned since moving to Gainesville is that it is rich with tradition. If we work together to promote those traditions and build our community in a positive direction, we have the opportunity to reverse this aspect and turn it to our benefit.

 

4. Do you have any specific ideas for how the GISD can weather the budget shortfall?

Any budget shortfall must first be attached with fiscal responsibility. The biggest challenge we face with the budget is balancing the tax rate with the quality of education we provide our students. We must find the avenue that allows us to maximize every dollar spent. By doing so, we will continue to provide our teachers to with the necessary means to maintain the highest level of education for our students.

I am aware a committee is working to promote and enhance major aspects of our community, GISD being one of those areas. I support efforts to create a more positive attitude, which would result in bringing new and former students to GISD, and in turn, help us overcome the budget shortfall.

 

5. What feasible new policies would improve the school district?

I support any new policy that ensures the safety and security of our teachers and students. I also support any policy that would promote and enhance the quality of education provided at GISD. These two types of policies would allow for a fully concentrated effort on education. In addition, our current board has hired a quality superintendent. I am excited about working with him to strengthen GISD in new ways.



PLACE THREE

 

Jeffrey Koval



1. Tell us about yourself. Discuss your background.

I am Jeffrey S. Koval. I graduated from Plano Senior High in 1977 and then went to Stephen F. Austin receiving a Bachelors Degree in Forestry and Business. Upon graduation I joined the U.S. Air Force. During my time in the Air Force I received a Computer Science degree from East Texas State University and received my commission. I served for 8 years before leaving active duty. I continued serving by joining the U.S. Air Force reserves, retiring after 20 years. During my times in the Air Force I have been responsible for developing and providing training for airman. Upon leaving active duty, my wife and I moved to Gainesville and have been here for almost 20 years. I have worked at Spraylat Corporation for 16 years and I am currently employed by Interplastic Corporation out of MN as a Manufacturing Business Analyst in the IT Department. We have two adopted daughters who are in the Gainesville Independent School District.



2. What made you want to run for school board?

Since my daughters are in the school district, I want to get more involved. I am seeing and hearing about situations going on and I would like to see changes. Where better to try to get changes made than by being directly involved in making changes?



3. What are the most important issues facing GISD?

The most important issues facing GISD is the financial situation they find themselves in due to the state cutting back on the education funding. Another issue the school district is facing is the amount of students leaving the district to go to other schools. Why? And what can we do to change this situation?



4. Do you have any specific ideas for how the GISD can weather the budget shortfall?

All I can say about how the Gainesville ISD can weather the budget shortfall is by suggesting we work together, tighten our belt and look for ideas from anyone. I believe we need to look at what the other school districts are doing and evaluate their methods and see if it will work for us also. I also would like to implement an incentive program for all employees. If they have an idea on how to save money and we adopt their idea, then, after one year, give the employee 10 percent of the savings.



5. What feasible new policies would improve the school district?

I believe that before new policies are implemented we need to look at the current policies and how effective they are or not. We need to start working together and listening to one another. If policies are not working, let’s get rid of them, change them or enforce them. One important change that needs to come is the administration and teachers working together to create and enforce policies. The teachers see what is going on in the classroom and in the schools, but are they being heard during board meetings? Do they actually have a voice?



Will Presson

Did not respond