Meet the North Shelby Board Candidates
North Shelby Board Candidate, Keith Killen
What motivated you to seek this position?
Education has always been very important to me. As many of you know, both of my parents spent 30 years teaching in Shelby County. While I did not choose to become a teacher, serving on the school board provides me an opportunity to serve the local school system. Degrees from high school and college have provided me opportunities to work on many exciting and challenging projects and I want all students to have that same opportunity.
What experience do you have to qualify?
With two kids that have graduated from North Shelby and a third in high school, I have been able to become very familiar with the administration, faculty and staff that serves our community. I have also had the opportunity to serve on the school board for the past six years. During this time, I have been able to work with the administration to help position the school to best meet the educational needs of our students. For example, the decision to purchase a computer for every student became a critical step allowing our students to continue learning from home during the last several weeks of the past year.
What goals do you have for the District?
I am proud that our school continues to receive high APR scores based on the academic achievement of our students and I want to see North Shelby continue that strong tradition. As a board member I want to support our faculty and staff in any way possible, giving them the tools and resources to challenge our students. I want to make sure the district remains fiscally conservative while providing our employees competitive salary and benefits. Finally, I want to support our students in their extracurricular activities, celebrating their victories and encouraging them to do their best.
What do you want voters to know about you?
It has been my privilege to serve on the board and I would be honored to continue serving for the next three years.
North Shelby Board Candidate, Shawn McEwen
What motivated you to seek this position?
I am seeking re-election for the North Shelby School Board. I strongly believe we have a school system that does a very good job in preparing young people for life, whatever career path they chose. I am motivated to fill this position because I grew up here and went to school here and want to keep the high standards we were taught instilled into the future generations.
What experience do you have to qualify?
I have held a position on the board for the last six years. I think this has allowed me to understand the ins and outs of how the board works. Previous to that I was employed here so I have seen the teaching side of the school system, as well. I think gives me insight into how some of the decisions made actually play out in the classroom.
What goals do you have for the District?
Seeing kids become successful and productive in life is something I feel is very important. I think the school can play a vital role in helping to shape our young people into productive adults. Being in the classroom, I was able to see that all students are different, and have different interests. I think as a district, even though we are small, we have to be able to keep students interested in school and be able to tailor an experience that helps them in the career path they chose.
What do you want voters to know about you?
I want voters to know that if re-elected, I will do my best to make sure all students are given opportunities that will make them well-rounded adults. I also think we have a responsibility to the tax payers to be efficient with the money entrusted to the school.
North Shelby Board Candidate, Michael Orr
What motivated you to seek this position?
I have had three children graduate from North Shelby. Each child has been successful in their endeavors since graduating. The administrators, teachers, and support systems have had a significant impact on their success. I am motivated by the potential the future offers. It is an enormous responsibility to be part of a team that establishes goals, policies, and guidelines to enhance the district’s success, not only for the present but for years to come. I am a staunch supporter of public education and will continue to be.
What experience do you have to qualify?
I have a diverse work background that has benefitted me greatly. I am retired from the U. S. Army. During my 22 years of service, I worked with many different leaders and held numerous leadership positions. As part of the Troops to Teachers Program, I taught 7th and 8th grade science, earth science, and high school biology at La Plata R-II. I have a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management. As a retiree, I can focus my time on issues that impact the district.
What goals do you have for the District?
My goals for the district include expanding on the academic success, ensuring a fiscally responsible budget, and providing the tools necessary for teachers, students, athletes, and various club members to perform at a high level. I would also advocate for continued upgrades to our sports programs and facilities.
What do you want voters to know about you?
I have been married to my wife, Kimberly, for 33 years. We have five children. I am a sports enthusiast. I believe in the importance of having an education system that benefits all students. I will work hard to ensure North Shelby not only maintains its outstanding record of excellence but continues to expand upon its success.
North Shelby Board Candidate, Jason Pollard
What motivated you to seek this position?
I obviously have a vested interest with four children in the school district and another who will be in a few years, but also the opportunity to serve the public is motivation. My hope is to be part of a team that collaborates to make certain all students can achieve academic and technical skills, knowledge, and training necessary to succeed in future careers as well as become lifelong learners. I believe seeking this position is a commitment well worth the time to guarantee North Shelby continues “providing pathways for successful lives.”
What experience do you have to qualify?
I have experience being a part of a board as I am currently serving on the school board and have completed the required (16) hours of Board Member Training set forth by the Missouri Association of Rural Education. I am also serving my second term as a board member on the Missouri State National Wild Turkey Federation Chapter and serve as President of the local NWTF Chapter. More importantly, I feel an effective school board member should possess the following qualities: ability to work through tough challenges, make well-informed decisions, have strong collaboration, always looking ahead to be prepared and represent all. I have a chance to use these qualities daily at my job as I work with local farmers to make sound agronomic and financial decisions. At the end of the day everyone has a respective role, mutual trust and value to build shared knowledge for a greater outcome. With time now spent serving on the board and completed professional development programs I feel it deepens my qualifications even more to continue being an effective school board member that helps drive continued success in a district we are all proud of as Raiders, past, present and future.
What goals do you have for the District?
North Shelby is a school we as a community are proud of and is held in high regards by our peers. My main goal is to use our resources to continue to uphold this standard. Other goals I have include: ensure focus on student achievement in the classroom, continue to make North Shelby a safe place for students to learn and participate in school functions, as well as make certain we are doing our best to prepare our young people for their future as community members while making sound financial decisions that leave us in a good position for the future.
What do you want voters to know about you?
When the company I was working for had an opening that would allow my family and me to move back home from Illinois to Missouri almost nine years ago, one of the most important factors in deciding to make the move was the fact that Gina and I wanted our two kids (now five) to attend a school system that upholds high standards and has, what we believe, an above-average education. We have never regretted this decision. I would like this opportunity once again to continue serving on the Board of Education to help maintain North Shelby as a safe place for all students, to receive the same high-quality education we moved here for and continue to be a school we are all proud of. I feel I’m in it for the right reasons.
I am interested as a business leader and parent who cares about and values a voice for rural education. We have been faced with some challenging times here recently that will certainly impact how our school system operates. There will be some very important decisions to make moving forward and would appreciate the support to help keep North Shelby moving in the right direction. I believe knowledge of current situations from serving on the board will be helpful insight on how we overcome and navigate our way towards greater success! It is my hope to always keep in mind the best interest of, not only my children, but all children and staff in our school district while being mindful of the values and priorities in the community that supports it.
North Shelby Board Candidate, Joshlin Yoder
What motivated you to seek this position?
Addie and I have four kids at North Shelby. They will range from 1st grade to a freshman in high school next year. I am running for the School Board because I want to help ensure North Shelby continues to provide an outstanding education, competitive athletic programs, and a variety of extra-curricular opportunities for its students.
What experience do you have to qualify?
I received a degree in Agriculture Education from the University of Missouri. I manage the budgeting and finances of my farming operation. I serve on our County Farm Bureau board and I have served as the treasurer for the Mt Pisgah Mennonite Church.
What goals do you have for the District?
My goal is to attract and retain excellent teachers, coaches and staff. North Shelby’s tradition of academic excellence is directly related to having teachers who have helped students reach their potential. Having coaches who truly care about their athletes both on and off the field will help those programs to continue to improve and succeed.
My other goal is to make sure North Shelby is continuing to incorporate new technology for its students. Technology changes quickly and for our students to continue to be prepared for the future, it is vital that the school continue to look at new ways to use technology in education.
What do you want voters to know about you?
I have been a proud North Shelby Raider my entire life. One of the factors that led Addie and I to decide to move back to this area was the quality of education we knew our children would receive at North Shelby. It is important that as education continues to change, North Shelby must maintain the small school values that have made it one of the top schools in the state.
