Freeman school board hopefuls cite funding issues

Education funding – including support for capital improvement bonds – is a common theme among school board candidates this fall.

Voters in the Spokane Valley and nearby Freeman have choices in five school board races on Nov. 6. Meanwhile, five school board candidates are running unopposed. Here’s a look at the candidates in the contested races:

Freeman District 1

Vicki Krogseth Sellers, 47, has lived in the Spokane area all her life and in Freeman for the past seven years. She and her husband own and operate a masonry business.

An Eastern Washington University graduate, Sellers is a longtime member of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association and also volunteers as a church secretary. She oversees bookkeeping and manages her business’ office.

In 2004-05, she served as a Freeman school district committee member to help set five- to 10-year strategic plan goals.

“One goal is that Freeman schools become a hub of the community,” said Sellers, whose son is a Freeman High freshman. “Through community service projects, we’re encouraging students to be involved in service. I’ve been involved with that.”

Among key issues, Sellers referred to the need to build support for an upcoming bond issue to fund school facilities. With schools dating back more than 45 years, safety and quality are at issue, she said.

“The bond failed a couple of times and it will be on the ballot again,” she said. “It will be a hot button issue. We will need to better educate the community on the need and the importance for a safe and quality school for children. We also need the input from the community about what they want in their community school.”

Bill Adams, 56, is a photographer who operates Northwest Images Photography. He also previously served on the Freeman School Board for eight years, having been off the board the past four years.

Adams moved to the Spokane area in 1980 and built a home in Freeman in 1990.

“All four of my children went to Freeman schools and have all graduated from Freeman High School,” said Adams, who also has served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for the past 26 years.

A graduate of San Jose State University with a degree in photography and journalism, Adams spent 11 years as a rescue diver for the Spokane Sheriff’s Department. He lists additional community service as continued volunteering as a Shriner.

Adams said he took some time away from the board when his grown children were all in college, but he is now ready to return.

A key issue for Freeman is holding the state responsible for mandates, according to Adams. “In other words, when the state passes a law saying a school has to do something, they need to pass funding to allow for it.”

Closer to home, Adams supports that Freeman schools retain a healthy environment for kids.

“In primary and middle school, creating an environment where kids can still be kids – a healthy environment – we do that good in Freeman. I think we need to continue to do that, where kids don’t have to grow up too fast and they can just deal with kid issues.”

Freeman District 3

Incumbent Sue Cronk, 51, is a longtime community volunteer and she and her husband farm in the area. For her background, she lists her roles as youth soccer coach, chair of numerous fundraisers, school board chairwoman, church and vacation Bible school leader, membership with Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA), and Leadership Circle.

In addition, Cronk has served with Members Assisting Peers, Leadership WSSDA Graduate; Spokane County School Directors serving two terms as president; Federal Relations Network (National School Board); agricultural organizations including Farm Bureau, Washington Association of Wheat Growers and Washington Wheat Foundation; Spokane Valley Hospital Board; Valleyford Park Chair; and 15 years Fire/Emergency Medical response.

She represented the area as Miss Spokane, Spokane Interstate Fair Queen, Wheat Queen, and as South East Spokane County Fair Queen (Rockford). She also helped acquire a Thomas S. Foley federal grant for a Freeman sewer lagoon and a state Community Block Development grant for Valleyford Park. Cronk graduated from Freeman High School, had two children who are also Freeman graduates and now has several relatives in the area’s schools.

“I want to provide a safe environment for all students and staff,” Cronk listed as key issues. “And to work for relief from unfunded mandates.” She also wants to seek support for the maintenance and replacement of aging facilities and to continue developing policies and programs that support student achievement for all levels of learning. In answer to why voters should select her, Cronk said she is an advocate for all students.

“I have proven dedication,” she said. “I am enthusiastic, sincere, approachable and visible in the community.”

Randy Primmer, 47, grew up in Rockford and graduated from Freeman High. He now has three children in Freeman schools, including a junior in high school, an eighth-grader and a seventh-grader.

“I was away from the Freeman school district from 1984 to 1993 but have lived 35 years (total) in Freeman,” he said. “My dad was a Freeman School District board member for 20 years.”

Primmer received a degree in agricultural mechanization from Washington State University. He is an office manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Spokane County and Pend Oreille County Farm Service Agency. Additionally, he has volunteered in the community as either a chairman or co-chairman for the past four construction bond issues for the school district over at least a five-year period.

“My key issue is I think school board members should have children in school and be involved in day-to-day activities in the schools so you can have a handle as to what is actually taking place in the school system. You can understand the issues and the situations that are going on in and around the schools when you make board decisions.”

Freeman District 5

Kathleen Lundy, 52, is seeking another term after 12 years as a Freeman School Board member.

A medical secretary, Lundy graduated from a California state college with an associate degree in administration of justice. She is a Spokane County Fire District 8 support services and EMT volunteer.

Other community work includes Camp Fire leader for nine years, Moran United Methodist Church financial secretary and as a Spokane County School Directors small school representative. Her two daughters graduated from Freeman schools.

“We value the small school, community environment Freeman offers families,” Lundy said.

Lundy cited the need to remodel and upgrade school facilities.

“Our high school building is 50 years old and in need of constant repairs. We have a shortage of classroom space and bringing in portables is not a long-term solution. The voters need to support Simple Majority Measure Prop 4204 so that schools can pass capital improvement bonds (with a simple majority vote).”

“Freeman ran a general obligation bond for capital improvements in 2005 that would have passed if we had the simple majority rule in place.”

Schools also need reliable state funding, Lundy said. “The state needs to come up with a stable financing system that ensures that schools have what they need to fully support the standards-based education (WASL), basic education, the growing special education population, early childhood education, and unfunded mandates from both the state and the federal government.”

Brent Fetsch, 43, is a write-in candidate for the District 5 race. Because his name does not appear on the ballot, voters would need to write in his name.

Fetsch is senior vice president with Northwest Farm Credit Services. He grew up in Pendleton, Oregon, and was active in Future Farmers of America. Fetsch earned FFA’s highest rank – similar to Scout’s Eagle rank – called the American Farmer Degree and was a FFA state officer.

He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Oregon State University and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. He has been involved 20 years in the credit services company.

Fetsch is a member of the Freeman Booster Club and lists active involvement in the community and schools. His wife, Candy, teaches leadership at the middle school.

A Hangman-area resident, he and his wife have two children in the Freeman district, including a daughter in middle school and a son in high school.

Among key issues, Fetsch pointed to failed school bond issues.

“After two failed attempts, I think it’s time to bring some fresh ideas and renewed energy to the school board. Right now, it’s raining, and probably there are staff members at the elementary school setting out buckets because of leaks in the roof. The wind can blow out power and cause an outage at the high school. We need a different outcome than what’s happened.”

“I want to be a part of bringing the community together.”

Fetsch said another issue includes how the current grading scale impacts high school students after graduation, their admission to colleges and their scholarship chances.