Incumbent Larry Bridenback and fomer hospital district board member Chad Searls are running for the same Elma School District position.
The Vidette sent both candidates the same questionnaire.
Tell the voters about your background, both personal and professional:
Bridenback: I was born in Elma 71 years ago. My family has lived in the Elma-McCleary area since the 1900s. I graduated from Elma in 1964. I attended Grays Harbor College for two years. I worked for Simpson’s in McCleary for 38 years as a millwright pipe fitter. After retirement I ran the Elma School Board and have served for 12 years.
Searls: I am a normal citizen that has a background in local politics. At Olympic Panel Products I was head steward as well as vice president of local w-38 in Shelton. For the last six years I have been a board member at Grays Harbor Public Hospital District 1.
What do you feel you can bring to the district?
Bridenback: They say experience is a great teacher. I have served on the board for 12 yeas and I have learned that education is a challenging and changing field. In my time on the board I have served on the WIAA district four executive committee. Plus I have attended many state conventions and several regional meetings each year covering many issues in education. I believe my knowledge of the people and students of the district plus the contacts I have made throughout the state are my best assets I bring to the board.
Searls: I will bring a no-nonsense conservative view to the school board where I will represent my fellow community members with pride putting their needs first.
What are the biggest issues facing the district? How would you address those issues?
Bridenback: Basically the same every district faces — funding. Nobody knows for sure how the new state funding will affect them over the next few years. The state has cut how many levy dollars we can ask for while moving some programs to others. The cause and effect of these actions is still unknown. Other issues we face is the need to continue to improve our achievement index scores, show more improvement in our ELL program and work with our people to build or remodel the stadium. The issue of funding is best addressed by our superintendent and our financial officer plus keeping in contact with others in the state to see what their ideas are. The achievement index and ELL are being addressed by continuing to work with the superintendent and other administrators. Building a new stadium or remodeling the present stadium is something we need to continue to work with the public to decide how to complete this project. I believe the district has made great strides in the last 12 years and I would like to continue to be a member of the board of this great district as we build for the future.
Searls: A few of the issues I would like to tackle as soon as possible are educating our children to the best of the district’s ability, ensuring all staff are properly credentialed for the position they hold and representing the community with a common sense approach to the “stadium” that fits the needs of our community with the least amount of cost to the taxpayer and equal access for all. It will be my honor to represent my community to ensure our children are safe and have equal opportunity to quality education.
