(Atlantic) Three candidates have officially declared their intention to run for the open seat on the Atlantic School Board. The vacancy arose after Laura McLean announced last month that she would be moving out of the district. Although the School Board had begun interviewing applicants for the position, a citizen-led petition has prompted a special election, now set for March 31.
Jordan Zarbano tells KSOM-KS95 News: There are 3 main things I’m running behind: Transparency, Accountability, and a sense of Pride.
*I believe our parents need honesty, our staff need clarity, and our students need us to be open with them about our experiences and standards.
*I also believe we need to foster some accountability within our district, and that starts with ourselves as leaders. We need to hold ourselves accountable, look out for our neighbors, and hold them accountable as well.
*Finally I want to bring a sense of pride back to being an Atlantic Trojan. Our community has lost faith within our system over the years and I want to help restore that. Our taxpayers should be proud to support our district by knowing we provided top of the line education, support and opportunities to our children. Graduating for our school district should not be taken for-granted. It should be taken as the next step to success.
Diana Blake stated in her social media post: As an instructor at IWCC who has the opportunity to speak with students and get to know them, I feel that I bring a unique perspective to the board. I want to help support students in the community, along with their families and the educators they rely on. Furthermore, I have graduated a child from ACSD and have a 10th grader and 4th grader here. So, I’ve built some good relationships with faculty and staff. Through trial and error, I’ve learned the value in reflecting and taking time to make decisions as opposed to moving fast or irrationally. You cannot please everyone, that is a fact. I keep that in mind when I make and share decisions. I believe any school board should communicate with complete transparency and provide adequate information for our constituents to not only be informed but make decisions based on that information.
Chase Roller: Stated on his Facebook Page- “Family, Friends, and Community I am excited to announce I am running for the vacant seat on the Atlantic School Board!! I am running because I want to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed and be prepared for life after high school, whatever their path may be. As a longtime member of this community, I care deeply about the quality of education and safety our students receive. I also want to support the teachers and staff as our school shapes the future of our community. I believe families should be heard and the board be transparent. I would be honored to serve our community.”
The last day for prospective candidates to file papers for the special election is March 6.
