AREA SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES PROFILED - Okoboji school board race an uncontested one

It's an uncontested race in the Tuesday, Sept. 9 school board election for the two seats available on the Okoboji Community School Board of Education.

One-term incumbents Mark Hale, of 1408 15th St., and Christopher Stein, of 1407 14th St., both of Milford, have each expressed an interest in taking on the two at-large seats available. If deemed winners in September, both men would hold office until 2011.

Hale and Stein were both offered the opportunity to respond to questions. Okoboji candidate Stein, who offered a response, is profiled today.

Registered voters in the Okoboji district may cast ballots at the Milford Community Center, 806 N Ave., from noon until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors will canvass election results, as well as absentee votes, on the morning of Friday, Sept. 12.

Christopher Stein

Q. What is your major motivation for rerunning for this position?

A. The school is very important to our children and our community. I am proud of the education that Okoboji School provides and I want to be a part of continuing to provide the best education for our young people.

Q. How would you describe what you've contributed over your past terms in office?

A. I have served on the finance committee, technology committee, and now as board president. Recently, I think the most important decisions have been selecting principals to lead our elementary and middle schools.

Q. If elected again, what would you hope to accomplish during this term in office?

A. I will strive to improve the education environment while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers. I believe our teachers do a great job preparing our kids for a lifetime of learning.

Q. As you see it, what major issues within the district need immediate attention? Any suggestions regarding how they could be dealt with?

A. The biggest challenges going forward will be financial. Okoboji needs to continue to explore ways of being more efficient with limited resources.

Q. How can people expect you to handle these as a board member?

A. We as the district need to continue to be open and communicate with the public on school issues.

Q. If you could change one thing about the Okoboji school district, what would it be?

A. We are always looking for ways to improve the school while staying within budget.

Q. What do you believe will be the biggest challenge facing the school district in the next three years?

A. As previously mentioned, the biggest challenges going forward will be financial. Okoboji needs to continue to explore ways of being more efficient with limited resources.

Q. Any thoughts on long-term facility use within the district?

A. Our current buildings and facilities are very well maintained. Going forward we will continue to monitor enrollment numbers.

Q. With the continuing decline in rural school enrollments, the case of ever-tightening budgets and ever-increasing mandates, and with the increased competition among schools for students, how would you suggest your northwest Iowa district face challenges in the future?

A. We need to continue to focus on student achievement and fiscal responsibility to be competitive in this environment.

Q. What are your thoughts on long-term sharing possibilities with neighboring districts and/or regional schooling for northwest Iowa?

A. Okoboji and neighboring districts will need to continue looking at sharing possibilities.

Q. What experiences do you have in dealing with the public that would make you a good board member?

A. I think that growing up in this area and attending school at Okoboji gave me a solid foundation to be an effective board member.