Laurel school board candidates discuss issues
While four seats are open on the Laurel Highlands School Board during next week’s general election, only one of the three voting regions features a contested race. In Region 2, which covers which covers North Union Township 3 and 4 and South Union Township 3, incumbents Shirley Kefover and Mary Conway and challenger James Tobal are running for the two open seats.
Voters in North Union 3 and 4 vote at the township building, while voters in South Union 3 cast their ballots at Hutchinson Elementary School.
Tobal appears on both the Democrat and Republican ballot, with Kefover listed on the Republican ballot and Conway appearing on the Democrat ballot.
Both Kefover and Tobal met recently with the Herald-Standard editorial board to offer their opinions on several school district issues. Conway, who was also invited to attend, declined to participate, citing illness.
Kefover, a retired nurse, has served on the school board for 16 years. She and her husband have two children.
Tobal spent 36 years as a teacher in the Laurel Highlands School District. He and his wife have two sons.
Kefover said she is seeking another term on the board to ensure the students receive a quality education and the taxpayers are not burdened with additional millage increases.
“I bring a wealth of information and experience to the school board, and I pledge to the taxpayers that I will support a sound fiscal policy for the school district,” she said.
Tobal said he understands the educational and financial issues of the school district, having taught in the district and also owning a home in the district.
“Recent decisions made by the Laurel Highlands School Board raise questions about the financial soundness and the educational value to the residents of the school district,” he said.
Both candidates expressed concern about plans to renovate and expand Hutchinson Elementary School. The board voted to float a $7.5 million bond to pay for Hutchinson and add four rooms to George C. Marshall Elementary School after Kennedy Elementary School was closed in 2004.
The architects and administration have asked for an additional $2.1 million to complete the Hutchinson work because of higher than anticipated materials costs.
Kefover said the board should not have to pay for the higher costs Hutchinson project because of poor estimates, and said another bond issue will impact the taxpayers.
“I don’t believe in borrowing more money,” she said. “It’s just not worth it.”
Tobal said the Hutchinson project has been approved by the state and must be finished, but said he cannot understand why the board would sign off on the work when the school has the smallest enrollment of all four elementary schools.
“I believe that the people of Region 2 deserve a quality school, but one we can afford,” he said.
Both candidates discussed a possible contract extension for district superintendent Dr. Ronald Sheba, whose current deal expires June 30, 2006.
Tobal said he has not decided whether to support an extension of Sheba’s contract, but stressed that it is no indictment of his character or his ability.
“He is very intelligent, articulate and dedicated to the Laurel Highlands School District and I know that he doesn’t have tenure and he works at the wishes of the school board,” Tobal said. “I am leaning toward renewing his contract based on what I know, but I won’t make a final decision until I speak with him.”
Kefover said she enjoys working with Sheba and called him a “great guy,” but said she would not support a contract extension because he endorsed the plan that led to the closure of Kennedy Elementary School and she has disagreed with other actions he’s supported.
“He only listens to certain members of the board and he does what they want,” she said. “My vote will be no.”
Tobal said if elected, he would make decisions that are in the best interest of the school district, and not for personal or political gain.
“Wise management doesn’t increase millage,” he said. “Residents of Laurel Highlands should be concerned about the outcome of this election, because it impacts education and your pocketbooks.”
Kefover said she would like to be returned to the board to keep speaking for the taxpayers, as she has done for the past four terms.
“I will give my best for the taxpayers and the students of Laurel Highlands,” she said.
In Region 1, which covers the voting districts of North Union Township 1, 2 and 5, incumbent Beverly Beal is running unopposed.
In Region 3, composed of the South Union Township 1 and 2 voting districts, former Laurel Highlands High School teacher and administrator Bill Elias is running unopposed for the open board seat. Current school director Tom Vernon declined to seek another term on the board.