Kanawha County Board of Education candidates want the largest school system in West Virginia to continue successful technology programs, improve communication and create a committee structure that will increase transparency and community involvement.
Four people, including incumbent Jim Crawford, will run for two open school board seats. Current board President Robin Rector, whose term ends in June, chose not to run for re-election. Her absence from the race guarantees that at least one newcomer will join the five-member board in July.
In addition to Crawford, candidates include Charleston Main Streets Executive Director Ric Cavender, retired construction manager Bill Carpenter and former Charleston City Councilman Adam Knauff.
Cavender and Carpenter are running to represent District 1, Crawford represents District 3 and Knauff is vying to replace Rector in District 4.
No more than two school board members may represent the same district. District 1 already is represented by Ryan White, while District 2 has Pete Thaw and Becky Jordon.
The Gazette-Mail spoke to each candidate and, while newcomers still are shaping platforms, each had several points they hope to outline on the campaign trail.
District 1 candidates Cavender and Carpenter both said they want to see the school system better prepare students for the workforce.
"I work every day with entrepreneurs and, time and time again, I have heard they need dependable people," Cavender said, adding that small businesses are challenged by unprepared workers. He went on to say workforce training should start in kindergarten.
Carpenter echoed those statements. He said students lack options, especially those who want to work in technical fields.
"Our technology is moving so quickly, employers are unable to find qualified people to fill positions," Carpenter said.
Neither man has held public office.
Cavender, who oversees economic and community development, business district marketing and public space improvement, said his career experience has readied him for a role on the school board. The Piedmont Elementary parent also said he wants to be more involved in his children's education.
Another issue Cavender hopes to address, should he be elected, is enhancing communication in Kanawha County. He said he's talked with parents and teachers and has concluded that the board could better communicate with the public on all levels. He also supports continued technology improvements and wants future school board decisions to take them into account.
Carpenter said he's running because he enjoys helping as many people as he can, especially those who are underprivileged. He also wants the county to provide more counseling for students.
District 3 candidate Crawford said he wants Kanawha schools to continue what they're doing, although he has new ideas, like improving vocational education and creating more partnerships with colleges so students can get an early start on postsecondary classes.
"I want to enhance what we're doing now," he said.
Crawford, a retired teacher of nearly 40 years, has been a school board member for 16 years.
He said the board is facing a tough financial future because of declining enrollment, which affects the amount of state funding the school system receives.
"One thing I want to make sure we have is a budget that is workable and we stay in the black," he said.
That could be difficult, Crawford admitted, as enrollment declines mean the county soon could consolidate some of its smaller schools.
Despite those troubles, Crawford said, the school system has had success with its iPad program. He wants to see it continued and, if possible, improved.
District 4 candidate Knauff said he wants the school system to manage its money better and is proposing a two-point, zero-dollar plan that could be implemented immediately.
"You'll never have enough money if you don't know how to spend it," he said.
Part of his plan involves first creating a budget committee for the board comprised of parents, teachers, principals, board members and administrators. Knauff said the committee would meet throughout the county so that more than just Elizabeth Street, where board headquarters are, has a say in Kanawha County education.
"To me, that's my primary reason [for running]," he said.
Knauff also wants to improve communication by utilizing a new county website, which he already has set up, at www.kanawhacountyschools.com.
He said the existing website is underutilized and difficult to navigate. He proposes improving the website by adding parent/teacher organization information, sports scores and student and staff achievements.
"If people are going to the website, that improves community relations," he said. "And it can be done for free."
Knauff, who was the youngest person elected to Charleston's City Council, is a Shoals Elementary parent and PTO member. His wife also is a teacher in Kanawha County.
As a board member, Knauff said, he would emphasize infrastructure and staff over programs that aren't needed. He said the county spends too much money on programs when schools are in need of repairs.
"I'm going to come in and do what's right," he said.
Candidates elected in the May 10 primary will join the board in July.
School board elections are nonpartisan. Board members serve four-year terms.
Reach Samuel Speciale at sam.speciale@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-7939 or follow @samueljspeciale on Twitter.