NEDERLAND — Early voting begins Monday for seats on the Nederland Independent School District School Board.

There are four candidates vying for three available seats: Tonya Mitchell, Micah Mosley, Roya Wood-Scott and Ronald Burkhalter.

The at-large seats are for three-year terms.

Those candidates are seeking the expired seats of Brian Gentile, Reed Richard and Jesse Branick, who was appointed in September 2017 when Burkhalter stepped down to allow his daughter a chance to apply for a position in the district.

Candidates had a chance to take part in a Q&A with The Port Arthur News. Here are their answers:

Tonya Mitchell, 61. Retired from NISD. Last position was secretary to the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

1. What is your background and qualifications?

I have 26 years experience as an employee of Nederland ISD. I have a working knowledge of the daily operations of the district and the financial system. I have extensive experience in Curriculum and Federal Entitlements. I understand the state accountability system used to rate the district and campuses.

 

2. What is the most important issue facing the school district now and how should it be resolved?

The overcrowding in our elementary schools and the condition of our facilities. Our enrollment has increased approximately 277 elementary students in the past five years and we have not added a permanent classroom. Some of our classes are taught in portable buildings. The only way to solve these issues is with a bond election.

3. Why are you the best candidate for NISD?

I am passionate about education. I will never be complacent and will always strive to make our district better. I will represent the interest of our taxpayers, students, teachers, and parents and will do my best to see that funds are spent wisely.

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                                      Micah Mosley, 29, operations manager at Huntsman Corp.

1. What is your background and qualifications?

I have a degree in engineering with a passion for identifying and driving improvements. I manage multi-million dollar budgets; I’m frequently posed with complex issues and hard decisions, and I possess a diligent work ethic. I haven’t amassed the impressive volunteer rap sheet my fellow candidates have, but I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready and wanting to get involved and give back to a community that has given so much to me.

What is the most important issue facing the school district now and how should it be resolved?

The state of our facilities… We must put together a bond that addresses our current and future needs. We need a bond that the community can take pride in, and one that we can all get behind in solidarity. The misinformation from previous bonds has to be addressed and we must do a better job explaining the needs of the school district.

3. Why are you the best candidate for NISD?

I love my hometown, and I have such a vested interest in the continued success of our ISD. I want to represent a Nederland that strives to protect all the ideals we hold dear; a Nederland that takes a stand and demands we push for improvements. I want the best for our students, teachers, administrators, and families, and I eagerly want to be the person that represents that mindset. This isn’t a hobby or resume bullet point for me, I simply want to make an impact and push for the best.

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Dr. Roya Wood-Scott, 47, general dentist

1. What is your background and qualifications?

Degrees:  BA Biology from Baylor University-1993, DDS from UTHSCSA Dental School-1997. Executive board positions: local and city council PTA’s for 12 years, including first vice-president, treasurer, secretary, parliamentarian, and legislative and school health advisory committee) representatives and past co-chair of SHAC;  first VP and historian of SETX Ballet Company; board of directors of the Nederland Educational Foundation. First United Methodist Church, Nederland:  president of endowment committee, chair of finance, member & and secretary of staff parish relations.

Local business owner, 12 years of experience volunteering in NISD schools.

2. What is the most important issue facing the school district now and how should it be resolved?

We are losing good families that are moving out of our district, partly because of the state the school facilities are in.  Our buildings were built between 1939-1971.  Although we have spent $29 million on improvements since 2012, the schools still do not meet standards to provide a quality, safe learning environment.  NISD needs to pass a Bond that will allow a long-term plan to rebuild our facilities.  As a School Board member, I look forward to working on this solution. It’s necessary for our students, our community & our future.

3. Why are you the best candidate for NISD?

I am the only candidate that has spent twelve years volunteering in our schools.  I’ve been “behind the scenes,” working with students, teachers, and administrators.  I have served on numerous boards and committees in the district, and I have faithfully attended school board meetings for almost three years.  My knowledge, experience, and dedication make me the best candidate for NISD School Board Trustee.

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Ronald Burkhalter, 56, chief executive officer of Gulf Credit Union

 

1. What are your background qualifications?

• On the Board of Directors for the Medical Center of Southeast Texas
• Experienced NISD Trustee of four years, 2013-2017
• Strong financial knowledge, received my bachelor of administration in accounting degree at Lamar University in 1984
• Lifelong resident of Nederland, graduating in 1979
• Father of two daughters that have either graduated or is currently attending Nederland schools
• As CEO of Gulf Credit Union, I have the background for consensus building in a Board of Trustees atmosphere

2. What is the most important issue facing the school district now and how should it be resolved?

• Facilities either promote teaching and learning or it hinders it
• The ultimate reason a trustee serves is to ensure our children are equipped to become an educated student that will have the tools for college, a trade or military service.
• A bond for new facilities will be able to resolve pressing issues such as improved atmosphere for our children’s education, more space for a growing population of students, ensure we engineer the state of the art safety precautions for our children to learn in a safe atmosphere.
• Our special needs departments across our district is under resourced and is not engineered for the needs of our children
• New facilities will improve energy efficiencies, limit legal liability and provide equity though out our schools
• New facilities will increase property values for greater gains on home sales, increased equity for college funding and increased revenues for city infrastructure and streets

3. Why are you the best candidate for NISD?

• My strong financial knowledge, an experienced NISD Trustee, a father of two daughters, a real compassion for our children to have the best in everything. Rather it be through education or extracurricular activities or our technical arts.
• Experienced CEO of managing a large budget
• A proven consensus builder that will always be part of the discussion and desires to be part of the solution in ensuring our children has the best because our children are the best