Spencer Daily Reporter: Local News: South Clay school board candidates profiled (08/27/09)

Three positions with the South Clay Board of Education are up for grabs in the upcoming Sept. 8 election.

For South Clay residents, who are anticipating their district's dissolution next July, three board positions must be filled until South Clay has tended to all district business and officially closed its doors. The seats currently filled by board members Mike Hildebrand, Joe Hoffman and Don Salton are being sought by Hoffman, whose name will appear on the district's ballot, as well as by Hildebrand and Salton, who are running as write-in candidates.

South Clay candidates Hildebrand, Hoffman and Salton are featured today. Their answers to questions posed by Daily Reporter staff appear below in alphabetical order.

Voters in the South Clay district may cast their ballots from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the South Clay school building, 312 Fourth St., Gillett Grove.

While absentee ballots may be cast in the Clay County Auditor's office through 11 a.m. the day of the school election, absentee ballots returned to the auditor's office need to either be postmarked by Friday, Sept. 4 or hand delivered to the office by 8 p.m. Sept. 8.

If a person elected by write-in vote declines the office, the seat will remain vacant and be filled by appointment. The South Clay school board would be the one to appoint the new board member. If a tie were to occur with write-in votes, the Clay County Board of Supervisors would draw lots, put the names in a hat and draw a winner during the canvass.

The Clay County Board of Supervisors will canvass election results, as well as absentee votes, at 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11. The final day a written request for a recount of votes may be received in the office of the Clay County Auditor would be by 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14.

Mike Hildebrand

This 44-year-old is employed as an airline pilot for Continental Airlines, based in Houston, Texas. Hildebrand and his wife, Tracy Hildebrand, a homemaker, reside at 601 Church St., Webb. The couple have four children: Megan, 18, Ross, 17, Austin, 12, and Drew, 11.

Joe Hoffman

This 44-year-old farmer and his wife, Janelle Hoffman, reside at 4175 340th Ave., Ruthven. The couple have three children: Ryan, 19, Paige, 13, and Carrie, 12.

Don Salton

This 46-year-old farmer and his wife, Diane Salton, a Spencer elementary teacher, reside at 4095 280th Ave., Dickens. The couple have three children: Sydney, 11, Cale, 9, and Jadey, 4.

Q. What experience, education and skills would you bring to the board?

Hildebrand A: I received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis. My major was aviation and my minor was criminal justice. Prior to joining Continental Airlines in 1998, I was assistant chief pilot at Great Lakes Aviation in Spencer, as well as an instructor pilot and check airman. I'm currently a line pilot at Continental flying Boeing 767s. I also serve as a trainer for our scheduling system. I still hold current Certified Flight Instructor ratings issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. As you might be able to tell, I have an interest in being involved in the education process wherever I can. While qualifications are important, I think an interest in being part of the process is also as important. Education in the K-12 years is incredibly important as it really is the foundation for not only further education but for many life skills as well.

Hoffman A: Being a lifelong resident of our district, I hope to use my experiences to help me make wise decisions.

Salton A: I have been on the board for six years. With a good knowledge of South Clay, it will help out with the very tough decisions that still have to be made.

Q. Why are you running for a final one-year term on the South Clay school board?

Hildebrand A: I want to continue to be involved in the education process and do what I can to ensure that the kids are getting the education they deserve, even as the district enters its final year. We still have another year of school here, and this year is just as important as any other year. The fact that we close the doors at the end of this year doesn't diminish our responsibility to ensure a quality education for our kids.

Hoffman A: Being a two-term board member, we have faced many challenges. And with those experiences I hope to continue this final year.

Salton A: To finish out South Clay on as positive note as possible.

Q. What is your No. 1 priority as a potential returning board member?

Hildebrand A: Continue to run the district right up until the doors close. We can't let the fact that the district is being dissolved distract us from our main job, which is providing a quality education for the kids.

Hoffman A: I want to keep the community informed as the school comes to an end.

Salton A: Keeping our academic standards high for our final year.

Q. As South Clay moves to dissolve, is there anything else, as you see it, that needs to be addressed within the district's boundaries? What are your suggestions for addressing these topics?

Hildebrand A: The biggest issue is where the kids within the district will go next year. As a long and narrow district, we border several other districts. There is a committee that has already formed to address these issues. Voters will have a chance to comment, volunteer their opinions, and finally vote on the plan for redrawing the lines early next year.

Hoffman A: I'm sure there will be many unforeseen challenges in the upcoming year. The board will have to answer them to the best of its ability.

Salton A: Our committee will bring its findings to the board and at that time we will deal with all questions.