BENTON CITY -- A longtime Kiona-Benton City School Board member is being challenged in the November election by a newcomer who says it's time for a change.
Dan Raap, 58, a farmer and rental property owner who's been on the school board for six years, is facing Michael Herman, 45, a nuclear chemical operator at Hanford.
The election is Nov. 3. Ballots already have been mailed.
Raap said the biggest challenge in the district is finances. State funding for K-12 schools across Washington has been cut significantly to help balance a forecast revenue shortfall in the billions. And more cuts could be coming.
Kiona-Benton City hasn't had to lay off staff but has trimmed in other places, Raap said. The board has reached out to lawmakers and other districts in the area to work on solutions, he said.
Raap said he's worked hard for the district. A bond to pay for the badly needed renovation of the high school was passed during his tenure on the board, and the district has seen improved student achievement scores in reading and math, he said.
His commitment to doing his best for kids will continue if he's re-elected, he said.
"A smaller district gives you a lot more opportunities. You can be in the chorus, on the football team," he said. "We're trying to make sure our kids get the same kinds of opportunities (students do) at big schools."
Herman agreed the budget situation is a key issue in the race. He said he doesn't want to see people laid off.
He also said he wants to see the board do a better job of communicating with the public.
"I don't think there is a voice for the community right now. I don't think that's the way it should be," he said.
He said not enough people in the community know when board meetings are held, and board members don't always listen to public input when making decisions.
"I'm there for the community. I grew up here, graduated (from high school) here. My kids go here," Herman said. "I'm willing to listen to whatever people want to come and talk to me about and get things back to the way it should be."
School board members in Kiona-Benton City aren't paid for their service. The term is for four years.
* For more election coverage, go to tricityherald.com/election
Similar stories:
Challengers Cook, Elston in lead for Ki-Be School Board
Challengers Cook, Elston in lead for Ki-Be School Board
BENTON CITY -- Two men who ran for the Kiona-Benton City School Board on similar platforms, calling for improved communication and fewer outside contracts to save money, appear to be its newest members.
Tim Cook in District 1 and Wayne J. Elston representing District 4 were leading after unofficial results Tuesday night.
Jill M. Renz-Whitman, who challenged Cook, may have lost the race but will keep her District 3 seat for two more years.
Ki-Be school board race an unusual one
Ki-Be school board race an unusual one
BENTON CITY -- The Kiona-Benton City School Board is guaranteed to welcome two new members in December.
Incumbents Joe Schroeder and Gary Howell did not get enough votes in the primary to advance to the general election.
Wayne Elston and Charlotte Burruss are competing for Schroeder's seat. Tim Cook is running against Jill Renz-Whitman for Howell's seat.
District 4: Incumbent, ex-member, newcomer
District 4: Incumbent, ex-member, newcomer
BENTON CITY -- One race for Kiona-Benton City School District includes a 10-year incumbent, a former board member and a resident who has been a regular at meetings for nearly two years.
The candidates for the District 4 position are incumbent Joe Schroeder and challengers Charlotte Burruss and Wayne J. Elston.
The two candidates reaping the most votes in Tuesday's primary will advance to the Nov. 8 general election.
District 1: 3 on ballot for Ki-Be board's District 1
District 1: 3 on ballot for Ki-Be board's District 1
BENTON CITY -- Two school board members and a critic of the board are on the ballot for the District 1 seat for the Kiona-Benton City School Board in Tuesday's primary.
The two who receive the most votes for the unpaid position will move forward to the general election in November.
Gary Howell is the incumbent and Jill M. Renz-Whitman also is running for the District 1 seat after moving her residence from District 3 to District 1. If she does not win the election for a four-year term, she will finish the two years left in her term.
Ire over Ki-Be High principal draws crowd to board meeting
Ire over Ki-Be High principal draws crowd to board meeting
BENTON CITY -- Allegations that the principal of Kiona-Benton City High School threatened to cut off a student's rosary attracted a large crowd to Monday's school board meeting.
More than 100 people attended the meeting, forcing officials to move it from the district office to the high school auditorium.
Wayne Barrett, the principal, had been accused of unfolding a pocket knife in front of a student on the first day of school and threatening to cut off the string of beads around the student's neck, according to police reports.
Print
Email Story
