Early voting for the Nov. 7 election begins Monday and voters in the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District have a chance to elect a trustee for the Place 7 seat.

Darren McCutcheon, 48, has held the seat for the past 15 years and is the current board president. He drew two challengers, Jake Leforte, 41, and Derek Knepp, 36.

The Port Arthur News presented the candidates with questions regarding their campaign.

 

Why are you the best candidate for this position?

 

Darren McCutcheon — In my five terms on the PNGISD board of trustees I have always put students and employees first when making a decision. My 15 years of experience is valuable to PNGISD and I have always felt a sense of obligation to the district. I have worked with three previous superintendents and the board is currently in the process of choosing a fourth. I’ve worked through a bond which brought new construction and upgrades throughout the district. I’ve also been involved in several tax abatement agreements that have helped the district monetarily and provided jobs for local taxpayers.

 

Jake Leforte — I believe that the combination of being a former teacher/coach, and the father of four boys gives me a unique dual perspective that can be valuable to this board. There is only one former educator on the current school board. I believe it is imperative for a school board to know the intricate details that go on in day-to-day operations of the district. As a former classroom teacher, I know firsthand the challenges that teachers face. As the parent of four boys ranging from 22 to 8, I know firsthand the many challenges that parents and children face.

 

Derek Knepp — I feel I am the best candidate for Port Neches-Groves ISD school board place No. 7 because I want to make a change that lives up to the Port Neches-Groves ISD motto: Honor, Pride and Tradition. I am looking forward to being more involved within our district and taking on any challenges that may come to the board. I would like to be the board member that you see walking down the halls of our schools in our district and shows that the school board is here for the good of every student, faculty member and parent.

 

Lefort and Knepp were also asked why they chose to run for the Place 7 seat. Incumbent Rusty Brittain, whose term is also up, did not draw any challengers.

 

LeFort — Throughout the years, I have been asked on many occasions if I was interested in serving on the PNGISD Board. I have always felt the calling to be a positive influence on our future generations. This calling has gotten stronger over the last few years. Now has felt like the right time for me to take a chance and make a run for a spot on the school board. One core life lesson that I want to instill in my sons and to all children is to not fear failure. Do not be afraid to win or to lose. It is better to give your best shot and to lose, than to never try at all. In life you will get knocked down, it is getting up that helps you learn and grow. To answer the question on why run for place 7? My answer is, why not run for place 7?

 

Knepp — I am not running for any certain place or against any certain opponent. Place 7 was just the luck of the draw to run for. I respect all the present and past board members, the time that they have dedicated and served while on the board and the decisions they have made for the better of our school district.

 

Are there any specific issues in the district that you feel needs to be addressed?

 

McCutcheon — The phrase “tradition of excellence” refers to our continued excellence in education. Our teachers and administrators work diligently to ensure the appropriate atmosphere is always conducive for learning. I feel like it is my responsibility to provide that atmosphere for all involved. In fact, I’ve always believed that this is a huge reason why I have been allowed to serve. The district has always taken top priority. I’m respectfully asking for a sixth term.

 

Lefort — I believe that serving others is a very important aspect of life. As a former teacher/coach in PNGISD, I believe that I offer a unique perspective that would be an asset to the PNGISD Board. Growing up in Groves, I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO. If elected, you will be getting a person who puts a premium value on education. I would like to follow in the footsteps of current board member Lana Parker. I want to be an advocate for teachers. As a former teacher, brother of a teacher, brother in law of a teacher, I know that it is imperative that we do what it takes to retain the many talented teachers that we are blessed to have at PNGISD. I have been blessed with four sons. Three are students in PNGISD. My oldest son is a junior at LSU on an academic scholarship. I know first-hand the top notch education that our district offers and want to keep it that way. Education is not just isolated in the classroom. Extracurricular activities help educate and instill many positive attributes in a person. Being part of something bigger then yourself is important for personal growth. Band, sports, UIL competition, drill team all help instill the positive traits of working together.

Every decision that I make will be one that helps further the success of our children and the success of the community I love. I will always be responsive and listen to all constituents. I ask for your support, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve.

 

(As far as issues go), I continue to work on balancing the budget so that the fund balance can continue to grow. I continue to support teachers with all of the new testing requirements that the State of Texas has in place which seem to be unfair to students and teachers, in my opinion. Furthermore, continued support for teachers in their efforts in teaching an ever-changing student population.

 

Lefort — (I want to) find creative ways to retain the many talented teachers that we are blessed to have in this district. Maintaining a strong daily attendance level is crucial for the education of children and the business side of education.

 

Knepp — I believe our district is changing and would like to be a new set of eyes and ears for all our school district staff and students. Which brings me to the issues/concerns that I have that pushed me to run for the school board. First and foremost is bullying. I believe Port Neches-Groves ISD has an excellent bullying policy. The downside is that I believe the policy is not enforced to level it should be. I also feel there needs to be more accountability when it comes to bullying regardless of the type of bullying (student on student, student on faculty member, faculty member on student and faculty member on faculty member). Every student and faculty member here at Port Neches-Groves ISD should be able to come to class/work excited and happy to be there without any fear of being bullied, belittled, made fun of or talked about.

The second reason for running is teachers within our district have to purchase certain supplies to teach their class with their own money. I feel that this is not acceptable with what is already expected from each and every teacher and what they have to contend with on a daily basis. I value and give every teacher in our district praise for the time, effort, and leadership they give to each and every student within our district.

 

About the candidates for Place 7

Darren McCutcheon, 48, is a senior process technician at BASF Port Arthur.

He has spent 15 years on the school board is the current board president.

McCutcheon and his wife Robin attend First United Methodist Church. Their daughter Laura, 20, attends the University of Texas and son Jacob, 16, is a sophomore at Port Neches-Groves High School.

 

Jake Lefort, 41, is business development manager at Ecowerks.

He is a member of THSCA Texas High School Coaches Association, PNGYFA, Port Neches Little League, PNG Little Dribblers, ACTS community, Ministry for transportation of elderly to church.

He is a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Port Neches and has four sons: Jacob, 22; Joseph, 18; Joshua 14; Jaxson, 8.

Derek Knepp, 36, is employed with Motiva Enterprises in Port Arthur along with owning a business with his wife, Selina.

He has been involved with the local Cub Scouts troop 51, a PTA member, volunteers at Woodcrest Elementary as time allows and is involved in local youth sports programs.

He and his wife attend Encounter Church in Groves. The couple has two sons.