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	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

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Thursday, April 02, 2009 11:50 AM

Map by Elliot Sutherland/The Ottawa Herald

Candidates from across Franklin and Anderson counties will vie for school board offices in Tuesday’s vote. Local districts with elections next week include Ottawa, Central Heights, West Franklin, Wellsville and Garnett.

Budget, working with new superintendent top Garnett priorities

By COURTNEY SERVAES, Herald Staff Writer

Helping a new superintendent and honing in on budget concerns are the main issues in the Garnett School Board election.

Incumbent Pat Rockers is defending Position 4 against Kevin Calley, while Patty Rundle is vying for Deanna Wolken’s Position 6. Incumbent Mike Barnes is running uncontested for Position 5.

Pat Rockers

Rockers admits he has some unfinished business to do.

With a new district superintendent, Don Blome, who took over in July, Rockers decided to run for re-election to help with the transition.

“I just wanted the opportunity,” he said. “We’re in the middle of some things.”

Rockers has been on the school board for four years. He and his wife have a son and daughter.

“I think we have a good board,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed serving on it, and I’d like the opportunity to serve again.”

Kevin Calley

First and foremost, if Calley is elected, he wants to take a serious look at school safety.

He said parents often feel disrespected, which is why he decided to run for the school board.

“I saw a need for improvement in the public relations department,” he said. “I’m very old fashioned.”

Calley and his wife have lived in the area since 1994. They have three children.

“The budget is only going to get worse,” he said.

Patty Rundle

As a psychiatric nurse, Rundle thinks she understands children better than most.

If elected to the board, she’s hoping that knowledge will help her.

“I wish that everyone understood children the way they should,” she said. “I feel like there is something very much missing in schools.”

Rundle has lived in the area since 1994. She and her husband have three children, which she said helps her to understand the problems within the school district.

“There are a lot of problems in any institution, and I see them firsthand because I have three children who are in grade school,” she said. “I just want to help and do my part.”

Deanna Wolken

For Wolken, experience is key to success.

Wolken has served two terms on the school board.

“With the uncertain financial times that we’re experiencing, I thought my previous experience could be beneficial for the board,” she said.

In addition, Wolken, who has two children, said she wanted to show her support for the new superintendent.

“I want to do what’s best for our district,” she said.

Mike Barnes

Barnes sees some troublesome times ahead for the Garnett School Board.

“There are some challenging times coming,” he said.

Because of possible budget problems, Barnes said he wants to focus on some of the positives within the district.

“I just think there are a lot of good things we can do in the district, and I want to be a part of it,” he said.

Barnes has been involved in the school board for 10 years. He and his wife have two children and a grandson.