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Donna Shaw
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Three people are vying for one seat on the Yoncalla School Board and two incumbents are running uncontested to retain their positions.
Yoncalla residents Chad Mast, Donna Shaw and Twila Van Loon are all running for school board position No. 3 in this month’s election. The incumbents are Gene Vroman, who holds position No. 1, and Scott Sublette, who holds position No. 5.
Mast said he decided to run for the position because he wanted to help the board find the biggest bang for the buck with this year’s tightening budget, which he said will be the board’s toughest obstacle. Mast, who is a city planner in Sutherlin, said he thinks his experience in the public sector has helped him understand budgets and would benefit the school board.
“I realize the importance of good and effective policy because it is the directive to administration to conduct day-to-day operations of the district,” Mast wrote in a candidate questionnaire distributed by The News-Review.
Mast said he also wants to help implement existing and new policy in order to ensure the educational success of all Yoncalla students.
“We have the policies in place, we need to implement what we have or make changes if they’re not working,” he said in a phone interview.
Shaw agreed that funding the Yoncalla School District during the tough economic times will be the school board’s primary challenge. Shaw is on the school district’s budget committee and said that experience has helped her learn about the budget process and how deep cuts will need to be.
“My concern is how the school is going to continue to educate the kids to the standards that they need to have with the cutbacks that we’re going to have to make,” she said.
Shaw decided to run for a position on the school board because since taking a job as a secretary for the North Douglas School District a couple of years ago she’s realized how important the school board is to the district, she said. The Yoncalla board position would give her a chance to help ensure that kids in her community receive a quality education, she said.
“This is my opportunity to actually help over in Yoncalla, where I do live,” she said. “Yoncalla has given so much to me and my family. I want to give back.”
Van Loon also said she thought the budget will be the biggest challenge for the school board. Van Loon is currently serving on the school district’s budget committee and said the committee is already tackling the funding shortfalls.
“My belief is you can only fix money issues one of two ways: increase revenue or decrease expenses,” she said.
Van Loon said the school district is in survivor mode and needs to put all possible options on the table and then decide where to make cuts.
Van Loon has been active in area schools for years and said she believes in order for the schools to be successful they have to be closely connected to the community.
“I want our school so strong that there’s never anyone coming to the school board to try and get out,” she said. “Instead, I want people to come to the board to try and get into the district.”
• You can reach reporter Marissa Harshman at 957-4202 or by e-mail at mharshman@nrtoday.com.
Yoncalla residents Chad Mast, Donna Shaw and Twila Van Loon are all running for school board position No. 3 in this month’s election. The incumbents are Gene Vroman, who holds position No. 1, and Scott Sublette, who holds position No. 5.
Mast said he decided to run for the position because he wanted to help the board find the biggest bang for the buck with this year’s tightening budget, which he said will be the board’s toughest obstacle. Mast, who is a city planner in Sutherlin, said he thinks his experience in the public sector has helped him understand budgets and would benefit the school board.
“I realize the importance of good and effective policy because it is the directive to administration to conduct day-to-day operations of the district,” Mast wrote in a candidate questionnaire distributed by The News-Review.
Mast said he also wants to help implement existing and new policy in order to ensure the educational success of all Yoncalla students.
“We have the policies in place, we need to implement what we have or make changes if they’re not working,” he said in a phone interview.
Shaw agreed that funding the Yoncalla School District during the tough economic times will be the school board’s primary challenge. Shaw is on the school district’s budget committee and said that experience has helped her learn about the budget process and how deep cuts will need to be.
“My concern is how the school is going to continue to educate the kids to the standards that they need to have with the cutbacks that we’re going to have to make,” she said.
Shaw decided to run for a position on the school board because since taking a job as a secretary for the North Douglas School District a couple of years ago she’s realized how important the school board is to the district, she said. The Yoncalla board position would give her a chance to help ensure that kids in her community receive a quality education, she said.
“This is my opportunity to actually help over in Yoncalla, where I do live,” she said. “Yoncalla has given so much to me and my family. I want to give back.”
Van Loon also said she thought the budget will be the biggest challenge for the school board. Van Loon is currently serving on the school district’s budget committee and said the committee is already tackling the funding shortfalls.
“My belief is you can only fix money issues one of two ways: increase revenue or decrease expenses,” she said.
Van Loon said the school district is in survivor mode and needs to put all possible options on the table and then decide where to make cuts.
Van Loon has been active in area schools for years and said she believes in order for the schools to be successful they have to be closely connected to the community.
“I want our school so strong that there’s never anyone coming to the school board to try and get out,” she said. “Instead, I want people to come to the board to try and get into the district.”
• You can reach reporter Marissa Harshman at 957-4202 or by e-mail at mharshman@nrtoday.com.
Gene Vroman
Name: Gene VromanPosition sought: Position No. 1, incumbent
Hometown: Yoncalla
Occupation: Public works for the city of Yoncalla
Military service: U.S. Army
Education: Yoncalla High School; Umpqua Community College, 1993
Public service: Yoncalla School Board, past president of Yoncalla Lions Club, Yoncalla P.T.O., Yoncalla Saddle Club
Why are you running for school board: “Our kids need a good education. I am running to see that (it) happens. Every parent needs to know what is happening at our schools and what is being taught. Right now we are working to get our math scores up to state level. I would like to see that happen.”
Chad Mast
Name: Chad MastPosition sought: Position No. 3
Hometown: Yoncalla
Occupation: City planner for the city of Sutherlin
Education: Yoncalla High School, 1997; University of Oregon, Bachelor of Science degree in public policy, 2007
Public service: FFA, 4-H, Elk Creek Planning Advisory, city and county administration
Why are you running for school board: “I want to be a part of implementing existing policy and creating policy for the district (that) ensures the educational success of all the children. Working as a public service administrator, I realize the importance of good and effective policy because it is the directive to the administration to conduct day-to-day operations of the district. It is my goal to take the values and ideas of my constituents without a personal agenda and create/implement the most effective policy possible to promote and lead the Yoncalla School District into the future.”
Donna Shaw
Name: Donna ShawPosition sought: Position No. 3
Hometown: Yoncalla
Age: 46
Occupation: District secretary for North Douglas School District
Education: Yoncalla High School, 1980; Umpqua Community College, Associate of Applied Science degree in secretarial, 2000
Public service: Native Plant Society of Oregon member, Yoncalla Alumni Basketball Tournament Organizer, past secretary of Yoncalla Summer Athletic Program, new member of the Yoncalla School District Budget Committee
Why are you running for school board: “I have been a member of the Yoncalla community for over 30 years. I would like to have the opportunity to serve our community in a way that benefits Yoncalla School District students.”
Twila Van Loon
Name: Twila Van LoonPosition sought: Position No. 3
Hometown: Yoncalla
Age: 39
Occupation: Branch manager at U.S. Bank
Education: Pleasanton High School, Pleasanton, Texas; University of Oregon, Bachelor of Science degree in business administration
Public service: Yoncalla Elementary Site Council, North Douglas Economic Development Cooperation, Yoncalla Summer Athletic Program
Why are you running for school board: “I have two children — Zackary, 11 and Alison, 5 — in the Yoncalla School District. I believe the schools and the community go hand in hand. I would like to see more community involvement in our schools. I believe there has to be balance with the kids, teachers, administration and the community, all while being financially responsible. The current economic outlook will be especially challenging and I look forward to working with the current board to find the best solutions. I don’t have all the answers and I appreciate all viewpoints. I don’t believe you can come to the best solution if you haven’t explored every alternative.”
Scott Sublette
Name: Scott SublettePosition sought: Position No. 5, incumbent
Hometown: Yoncalla
*Did not return candidate questionnaire.
