Meet The North Shelby School Board Candidates

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Jeff Bender, North Shelby Board Candidate

What motivated you to seek this position?

  After some encouragement from my wife, I decided to run for North Shelby School Board. I want to make sure that North Shelby School remains a safe environment for our kids, and that education remains the #1 priority for our school system. I do feel extracurricular activities are also very important and I want to ensure all students in our district have the opportunity to join them. I want to make sure that we keep the wide variety of extracurricular activities that North Shelby currently offers. Whether it is sports, band, or an organization, students should have the opportunity to participate and have a sense of belonging to a group.   

  What experience do you have to qualify?

  I grew up in Shelby County and I want to make sure the school district’s reputation remains in high standing like it is now.  I will stand up for what I believe in and not be swayed by the majorities.

  What goals do you have for the District?

  Trying to keep our education system, electronic system and internet as up-to-date as possible to make distance learning and live-streaming a better experience. I would also like to see some updates to our outside facilities.

  I plan to listen to the youth of the district also, as they are the ones being affected by our decisions. They are the adults of our future and if we don’t listen to their ideas now, how will they learn that their opinions do matter, and by voicing them they can make a difference.   

  What do you want voters to know about you?

My name is Jeff Bender, I have lived in Shelby County most of my life. I am married to Stephanie (Barrick), and we have been married for 19 years. We have two children in the North Shelby School District. Our son, Landon, is a junior and our daughter, Miley, is in eighth grade this year. They both keep us very busy with all the activities they are involved in at North Shelby. I work as a custom applicator in Cairo for Rickett’s Farm Service and have been there for 15 years. Stephanie and I are members at Bethel Christian Church and are very active in our community. We were the youth leaders for a short time and I enjoyed being around the teens and hearing their point of view on things. They have some great ideas if we would only learn to listen to them. 

Patricia Staples, North Shelby Board Candidate

What motivated you to seek this position?

  I was first motivated to seek a spot on the North Shelby School Board due to the confidence those around me had, believing that I would be great for the position. I also found motivation in North Shelby itself and how amazing the school system really is. It is filled with people that truly care.

  What experience do you have to qualify?

  I believe I am qualified for this position due to my familiarity with the school, currently raising three North Shelby Raiders. I also bring all the decision making, collaboration and communication skills I have acquired  through work experience, including my current position as manager of the produce department at C&R Markets.

What goals do you have for the District?

To focus on student achievement and working together to implement policies that will ensure success for all students.

  What do you want voters to know about you?

I might not have been born a Raider, but I absolutely consider myself one and it would be an honor to serve North Shelby.

Brandy Uhlmeyer, North Shelby Board Candidate  

My name is Brandy Uhlmeyer and I am currently finishing my second term on the North Shelby Board of Education. I graduated from North Shelby in 1994. I went on to the University of Missouri-Columbia to receive a BS in Hotel/Restaurant Management.

  After taking a position as the seven thru 12 grade FACS teacher at North Shelby, I received my education certification from UCM and a Masters in Secondary Administration from William Woods. I taught at North Shelby for 14 years before resigning to help manage Vortex Seed and our family businesses. My husband and I have four kids: one a North Shelby graduate, and the other three are currently in elementary, junior high and high school.

  I feel like my previous education, teaching experience, and Masters have given me a better understanding of what it takes to keep a school district thriving as North Shelby has for years. Being an alumni, I understand the importance of keeping our core values intact, and that is what makes North Shelby the excellent school that it is. We have a number of administration and staff that are close to retiring in the upcoming years and hiring effective replacements will be critical in keeping our core values in place.    

  In addition, there have been multiple challenges this year for the board with the ever-changing societal values, limited funding and the pandemic. It has not been easy for administration, staff and board members as they have had to make decisions that do not agree with everyone.

  As a board member, one must be able to set aside personal experiences, and the ultimate thought driving decisions should be what is best for the school and our students. 

Ryan Wiley, North Shelby Board Candidate  

What motivated you to seek this position?

  I was motivated to seek a board position because I believe it is one of the most important positions in our local community. The decisions made at the local level affect us greatly as a community. We are all proud of our school and want the best outcome for our students. Having an opportunity to support the administration and staff at North Shelby as a board member would be a great privilege.

  What experience do you have to qualify?

  I believe the best experience I have to be a board member is the experience I have gained through my job at Mesmer Fertilizer. I deal with many people from all parts of the community on a daily basis. In the ag community there are always challenges from weather to mechanical issues. Through all the challenges that we face, it seems that good communication is the key to problem solving. I have learned to sit down with our growers and talk out a plan using what information and resources we have at our disposal to achieve the goals they have in mind.

  What goals do you have for the District?

I really have no specific goals in mind. I think that the current board is doing a fine job. It’s been just a little over a year when they had to make some pretty tough decisions regarding the safety of the students and staff at North Shelby. There has been so much uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. I think the administration has used all the available information and the guidelines set forth by the local health officials to make the best out of a difficult situation.

  What do you want the voters to know about you?

  My wife Katie and I have two kids. Andrew is currently a junior and Adrien is a seventh grader at North Shelby. We are members of the Bethel Methodist Church. I have been employed at Mesmer Fertilizer for almost 23 years. Lastly, I would like the voters to know that whatever the outcome of this election, I am extremely proud of our school district and all the staff from the administration, teachers to the custodians, cooks and bus drivers. I know we’re all a little biased, but we’ve got a great school we should all be proud of and I’m sure however this election turns out it will continue to be one of the best communities and school districts to raise a family in.