Four Twin Rivers School District residents are vying for positions on the Board of Education in Tuesday’s election.
Two seats are up for election, which are currently held by Board President Jeff Arnold and Dennis Whitlow.
The incumbents are challenged by Bruce Goodrich and Gordon “Lee” Wright.
The two elected will serve a three-year term.
Each candidate was asked the same series of questions and their profiles appear in order in which they are listed on the ballot.
JEFF ARNOLD
Continuing school safety, campus upgrades and competitive staff pay is what pushes current Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education President Jeff Arnold to run for re-election.
When first deciding to run for election three years ago, Arnold said he wanted to fill the representation for the Fisk end and Lake area, but also felt there were some safety concerns.
“I was a huge part in getting the Student Resource Officer Program started with Sheriff (Mark) Dobbs,” he said. “That was kind of my goal at the time.”
Looking forward, if re-elected, Arnold said he would like to continue to make the school safe and expand the SRO Program.
At this time, one SRO officer is split between the three Twin Rivers campuses.
Arnold said he would also like to see where the district is at competitively with other schools in staff pay.
“I want to work on getting us to where local schools our size are,” he said.
The biggest challenge facing the district, Arnold said, is funding and continued funding with growing technology.
The continued costs of the dated campuses is another challenge for the Twin Rivers School District, he added.
While the district faces challenges, Arnold is proud of accomplishments during his last three years on the board, including the $1.8 million in district-wide improvements, beginning an Early Childhood Program at Fisk and Qulin, establishing a free lunch program for every student in the district and a budget that is in “good shape.”
A strength Arnold said he could bring to the board is he is a very active parent who is at the school often, so he is in tune with what is going on.
He also said his work with the Butler County Highway Department gives him the insight of road issues for busses or inclement weather.
“I feel a calling to serve my community,” he said.
BRUCE GOODRICH
Bruce Goodrich has two main reasons why he decided to throw his hat in the race for Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education: his daughters, ninth grader Olivia and fifth grader Ella.
“I’m just wanting to be more involved,” he said.
Goodrich said he wants to make sure the district is staying up-to-date with curriculum and computer programs.
“I want to make sure the kids have the advantages of the bigger schools,” he said.
If elected to his first term on the board, Goodrich said he would like to see more student involvement spread across the entire student body in the form of clubs and extra-curricular activities.
“I would love to see more opportunities for the kids,” he said. “They have drama now and I love seeing that.”
Goodrich added he would also like to see more computer-oriented options, such as a tech club for students.
By running a small business with his farm and active in construction, Goodrich said he could bring his understanding of how a business is run to the board.
“Ultimately, that is what a school district is,” he said, “a business.”
He also believes he could offer good ideas.
“As time goes on, hopefully I could build some good relationships and get things for the kids that they need,” Goodrich said.
GORDON “LEE” WRIGHT
Believing in the need for a diverse board is why Gordon “Lee” Wright has decided to enter the race for a board seat.
“I have no kids in the school system right now or close family members who work for the district,” he said. “I think you need a diverse board with people who have children in the district, some with relatives working in the district and I think you need a businessman, teacher, educator and someone with an administrative background.”
Wright believes he could fulfill the role of businessman and help the district on the technology side.
Giving students a better education is a goal of Wright’s if elected to the board.
He explained reading comprehension, math and the basics are the start to a great education, but if students are not understanding what they are reading, then they will not understand the principal.
“I know the buildings are slacking and we need to find a way to get better buildings,” he said.
Wright proposed looking into working with a grant writer to help secure money for items such as a FEMA building.
“We can’t spend too much on the buildings and take away from our education,” he said.
If elected, Wright said he is interested in the core program on the basics of life and would like to see a program teaching students how to wash clothes, change oil in a vehicle and balance a checkbook.
He also would like to see more student involvement in extra-curricular activities, such as Future Farmers of America with the district being located in a farming community.
“Sports is not just about playing ball, it’s about getting kids involved,” he said. “If they are on a court, they are not in the Butler County Court.”
With his technology background, Wright said he would like to help get ballgames broadcasted for those unable to travel.
A strength Wright said he could bring to the board is his good business sense, managing money and people as well as logistics and flow.
“I’m interested in the community and I get very involved in the community for the betterment,” Wright said.
DENNIS WHITLOW
Initially being asked to fill two years of an unexpired term on the board, Dennis Whitlow decided serving on the board would be a good way for him to give back to a district which employed him for 30 years.
“The school district had been good to me and I felt it was something I could give back to the district,” he said. “I also thought my background in education would be a plus on the board.”
Since serving eight years on the board and only missing one meeting, Whitlow sees a few challenges facing the district, but feels all are being worked toward.
“The biggest challenge is finances,” he said.
Whitlow also added upgrading buildings, increasing insurance and test scores are also on the list of challenges.
Whitlow is pleased to see test scores heading in the right direction, but added scores still need to continue to increase.
“I think we are heading in the right direction and the board is working toward all,” he said. “I think we are all in agreement and working and striving toward those goals.”
With identifying those challenges, if re-elected, Whitlow would like to continue to work toward the goals already in place. This mainly includes eventually updating buildings and working on test scores.
Whitlow believes his background in education and the Twin Rivers School District for 30 years is a strength he could bring to the board.
“I know a lot of what goes on with the administration side and teaching side and feel like that’s a big asset,” he said. “I appreciate the support from the community.”
JEFF ARNOLD
Age: 39
Wife: Jessica
Children: Andrea, 15 and Mallory, 11
Occupation: Butler County Highway Department
Current affiliations: Member of Osborn Church in Qulin, President of Peach Country Beagle Club and member of Local 148 International Operator Union
Education: Twin Rivers High School and Three Rivers College
Terms on the board: One
BRUCE GOODRICH
Age: 50
Wife: Kellie
Children: Austin, 25, Brian, 23, Olivia, 15 and Ella, 11
Occupation: Farmer
Current affiliations: Member of Palace of Praise Church
Education: Twin Rivers High School
GORDON “LEE” WRIGHT
Age: 59
Wife: Rosemarie
Children: Christopher, 33 and Casey, 30
Grandchildren: Daxon, 1 and Maren, three weeks
Occupation: Retired farmer, construction company owner and communication company owner
Current affiliations: Member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Glennonville and North Cache River Drainage District board member
Education: Twin Rivers High School
DENNIS WHITLOW
Age: 69
Wife: Karla
Children: Tracy, Jerry and daughter-in-law Anna
Grandchildren: Adyson, 11 and Ryley, 15
Occupation: Retired from Twin Rivers teaching and administration
Current affiliations: Member of Osborn Church in Qulin and president of Ring Levee Drainage District
Education: Qulin High School and double Masters Degree in elementary education and elementary administration from Southeast Missouri State University
Terms on the board: Two and filled two years of an unexpired term
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