I am running for a seat on the USD 489 Board of Education. I ask for your consideration. I am a Hays resident, concerned citizen, and taxpayer. I am an advocate of public education, having attended public schools as a child and public universities while earning my undergraduate and graduate degrees.
I have 21 years of volunteer service to schools. A short list includes O’Loughlin Elementary Site Council, Hays High Site Council, and District Site Council. I have also served on numerous home & school associations, PTAs, and booster clubs since my youngest child began kindergarten, as well as a debate judge and music completion judge assistant. Finally, I have my share of blisters and scrapes from building HHS from musical sets at 12h Street Auditorium. You may recognize me as the bald guy helping with the HHS Marching Band drink/snack table during football games and parades. I feel that whatever we can do, we should do; no matter how big or how small.
I currently serve as the director of FHSU’s Docking Institute of Public Affairs. The Institute provides research services (e.g., surveys, strategic planning, and economic impact studies) to communities. I meet with community groups, plan research, contract and budget projects, manage professional and student staff, maintain positive account balances, and assist with community planning. When teaching, my courses address rural development, community planning, and population change. Prior to coming to Hays, I served in the U.S. Army, US Congressional staffer, and worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C. I would like to bring these experience and talents to the board.
My personal motto is “Engagement, Commitment and Temperament.”
Citizen engagement is of vital importance. It is better to engage and assist, than to withdraw and dismiss. In addition to volunteer service to the schools, I engage in the larger community through work as a member of the Hays Chamber of Commerce and the western Kansas Regional Economic Development Alliance. I would like to bring these networking skills and social capital to the board.
I have a record of commitment. I already attend board meetings, know the budget process, understand the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation process and Rose Capacities, and have attended a Kansas Association of School Board workshop. While I have much more to learn, I can start off running.
I believe I have the temperament for the position. My approach is to seek information, speak with experts, and make informed decisions in calm and collected ways. Perhaps military training has taught me to stay cool under pressure. I feel temperament and emotional intelligence are necessary for any leader, and I pledge to be a calm voice of reason on the board.
Thank you for your time. I ask for your vote on Nov. 7. If you would like to contact me, please email [email protected].
Mike Walker