CC/E Candidate Q&A

WHAT DID WE ASK?

The Sentinel-News sent questionnaires to each candidate in the Nov. 7 election. Questions included:

1. Please provide background information about yourself (i.e. family, career, etc.).

2. Please detail any past experience in local government or other community organizations.

3. Why are you running?

4. Do you have any concerns about your school district or issues affecting it?

5. What goals do you have for your city/school district, and how would you go about achieving them?

6. Is there anything you'd like to add?

Amber Campbell

1. I was born and raised in Battle Creek, Iowa. I married my husband, Brian Campbell, in June 2012, which is when I moved to our home south of Moneta. I am a stay-at-home mom and part time crochet enthusiast. Together we have two children, Owen (9) and Maggie (7). I am also a stepmother to Brian's daughter Holly, who is 21.

2. I am a 35-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary. I was the 9th District American Legion Auxiliary President in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. I've always had a strong sense of patriotism, and the drive to help our veterans and current military.

3. I am running for the CC/E school board for multiple reasons. The first, and most important to me, is for my children. Our school is so important to me. It offers not only a nurturing place for my children to learn, but to grow in their own abilities. The school gives them a sense of closeness and safety to be who they are.

Another reason I'm running is in hopes to keep our school moving forward. Our community felt such a loss when our upper grades were no longer offered, and I'd hate to see this happen to our elementary age kids. Our small towns and rural folks deserve to have a great school, with an enthusiastic school board!

4. It's not a secret that our school attendance numbers are dwindling. It's concerning when I only see five students in my daughter's classroom. I've seen some really great strides our school is making to be seen. There's definitely a cheerleading effort being taken. I'm hopeful that I will be not only an additional cheerleader, but an additional brick in our foundation. I want to see our numbers grow and our school feel like we aren't always fighting for another year open. Our students and staff deserve to feel secure in their place.

5. The goals I have at this point really point towards my previous answers. I would love to see more children finding their seats in our classes. We have amazing teachers, staff and communities. The Leader In Me curriculum has been so valuable, just from a parent's perspective! My children are taking huge leaps in their positivity and willingness to take the first step in all that they do. It would be amazing to see more children taking part in this! I would also like to see our communities rally behind our school in even more ways, i.e. job shadowing, business walk-throughs, adopt-a-class. Just some ways our local businesses/business people can have relationships with our youth.

6. I am so excited for this opportunity to serve our school. Go Mavs!

Allyn Heikens

1. I am a retired school teacher from the CC/E district, retiring in 2019. I have 41 years of educational experience; most were with the CC/E district. I taught high school science and math during that time. Now, I am currently doing substitute teaching.

My husband and I live north of Everly, where he is involved in farming. We have one daughter, who is a graduate of CC/E High School.

2. I have been serving on the CC/E school board for the past four years.

3. I am running for school board to keep an elementary school for the towns of Everly, Royal, Greenville and Rossie.

4. Money to maintain the district is always a big concern and financially CC/E is in good shape. I would like to keep it that way.

5. I would like to see the CC/E district grow in population because that would mean our class sizes could grow also. At the same time the students receive the best education they can from the school.

6. CC/E is a great district and a big plus for our communities, and I would like that to continue.