Election season is well underway, with dozens of community members vying for a spot in local offices including Powell’s school board where six candidates, including one write-in, are campaigning for three seats at the table.

On Oct. 9 four of the six candidates, incumbent Kim Dillivan, Zac Opps, Ben Borcher and write-in Jeanie Fortenberry were present to answer submitted questions from members of the community. Incumbent Tracy Morris and candidate Andy Rose were not present but did speak at the Oct. 1 Powell Education Association forum.

At the parents group forum candidates voiced their opinions on a wide range of issues including concealed carry in schools and school funding among other issues, such as Title IX bathroom laws and questionable reading materials in Powell Middle School. Some of these topics will be covered by the Tribune at a later date. 

School security

When asked about their opinions on gun free zones in schools and if the governor was right to veto a bill that would have repealed gun free zones, the candidates did not dismiss the idea of arming staff.

Fortenberry, in particular, came out strongly in support of repealing gun free zones, stating that to her knowledge in Texas schools, where teachers carry anonymously,  she is not aware of a school shooting incident.

Borcher praised the Second Amendment, adding that it’s cliche but firearms are an effective way to stop a bad guy. 

“I will say this, though: I am extremely empathetic to the educators who we are giving the option to either arm themselves or not arm themselves, because you are taking a teacher who, I think everyone agrees, is underpaid, overworked and then we’re saying, ‘Hey, put your life on the line for your students,’” Borcher said.

He added that if elected he would defend teachers’ decision to arm or not arm themselves as much as he could. 

Both Dillivan and Opps referenced the board’s authority, with Opps noting the board is set to review their safety plan which could include a gun policy.

In Dillivan’s opinion, the decision to allow concealed carry in schools should be decided locally by the board, and while the board voted no six years ago it has changed since then, and will see up to three new members in January. He doesn’t know how the vote will land, he said, but knows some people in the district believe a safe school is one where only law enforcement have guns. 

If Powell schools do decide to arm staff, well-thought out policies and procedures will have to be put in place, he said. Opps mentioned he had talked to parents and staff who highlighted the school resource officer and quick response times of law enforcement.

Stakeholders also mentioned there is the risk of mistakes being made and liability. 

Opps said he has also heard the idea that preventative measures like mental health services and fostering a positive environment might address the root cause without adding another hazard.

At the Powell Education Association debate Andy Rose mentioned school safety when asked what his top three concerns in the district were. There are hard and soft approaches to school safety, he said, and he is in favor of the latter. 

“I’m in favor of soft approaches, soft approaches involve having youth develop connections with other youth, have them communicate, stop bullying, create an atmosphere where they can be involved,” Rose said.

School funding

When it came to school funding candidates were asked about cutting costs when mineral revenues decline and what candidates would do to bolster teacher supplies and reduce spending on “nonessential” things. 

Mary Jo Lewis, the district’s business services coordinator, and Jay Curtis do a good job of knowing the district’s finances, Dillivan said. If there are cutbacks the board will “have to deal with that,” he said.

He also noted that if teachers are lacking supplies he is not aware, but would visit administration to see if that needs to be addressed.

Borcher did not comment on how to address a potential decline in revenues, saying he does not know enough about the budget and joked, “I think we need to drill more oil wells that would create more revenue for sure.”

He said he knows a lot of teachers who pay for certain items out of pocket and that’s unfortunate to hear. He said he thinks the board does prioritize supplies and if elected he would continue that priority.

Fortenberry opened her remarks by stating that a large percentage of our taxes are spent on the school system. A former bus driver for the district, she also knows Lewis, she said, and would like to be able to sit down with Lewis and look through the finances.

On prioritizing classroom supplies she would look at what the district needs to provide kids to get started in their life, Fortenberry said.

The district has been in a good financial position for a long time, Opps said. If there was a cut in revenue it would put the district in a difficult spot and when that happens expenses connected directly to instruction should be prioritized.

“In my mind, that’s why our schools exist, and those would have to take the driver’s seat when it comes to funding,” Opps said. “We have been in a great position for a long time. It’s allowed us, allowed our schools, to have an incredible array of elective courses, and support for students is almost unrivaled. We’ve had great activities, and the unfortunate reality is, some of those things would likely be trimmed first.”

In his experience as a teacher, classrooms or departments usually have budgets for purchasing supplies, Opps said. If there is a lack of funding he is not familiar with the situation but it may be worth revisiting.

At the Powell Education Association debate, Morris cited securing funding as one of her top three concerns as well as making sure schools are funded properly.

“I know it’s easy to look at, ‘Why aren’t we spending more money here or there,’” Morris said, noting there are specific sections of the budget where money is given with guidelines on how it’s used. 

Staff and administration presented to the board on why they spend money on certain things and what they can and can’t spend funds on, she said.

The full debate can be viewed on Facebook at PCSD1 Parents Group where there is also a recording of the PEA debate.