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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Three positions open in Nine Mile

The Nine Mile Falls School District has three positions up for grabs in the November election.

The school district covers areas in both Spokane and Stevens counties.

The major issue facing the district this year is hiring a new superintendent and school bonds.

Position No. 1 will be contested by Cori Reeves, 48, and Scott Chaney, 51.

“Reeves owns her own notary business and has a son, Cody, who attended schools in the district and now attends classes at Spokane Falls Community College. She has lived in the district for at least 25 years.

Reeves said she is the best person for the job because she has worked in financial aid offices in Spokane and said she knows what it takes for a student to make the transition into higher education. Her son attended schools in the district from kindergarten through the 12th grade and now that he’s no longer in the district, she said she can be objective about the issues.

“I really don’t have a personal agenda,” she said. “I just want to do the best job I can.”

“Chaney has lived in the district for eight years and has three children in Nine Mile Falls schools.

Chaney wants to focus on improving the curriculum and combating bullying and is concerned the schools’ block schedule is taking instructional time from students.

The software engineer and small-business owner wants to change attitudes in the district and wants to make the school board more community centered.

“I believe the most important issue facing our district is to focus on making sure every student reaches for and attains his or her potential,” he said.

Meanwhile, running for Position No. 3 is first-time candidate Pete Joplin, 47, and Kyle Yancey, a 25-year-old Realtor from Century 21 Beutler & Associates, who ran for the school board when he was only 19 and lost by 11 votes.

“Yancey attended schools in the Nine Mile district and one day hopes to raise a family in the area. One of the reasons he is running for the school board is to help shape it before he has children in it.

“I’ve been very involved with the community since I grew up in it,” he said. He said that helping to choose a new superintendent will help accomplish this goal.

He attended Ecola Bible School and has taken the certification course to be an emergency medical technician. He is a volunteer for Fire District 9.

“Joplin has two daughters in the district, one in the 10th grade and one in the seventh.

Joplin served in the Air Force for 24 years and works as a civilian at Fairchild Air Force Base as the drug-testing program administration manager.

He’s been married to Maureen for over 24 years, and his family has lived in the Nine Mile district since they returned home from Germany in 1991.

Joplin, who retired from the Air Force with the rank of major, said that his experience in the armed services qualifies him for the school board position.

He has led troops in combat and has experience in human relations and logistics.

“I want to become involved in the process of identifying, vetting and hiring a superintendent,” he said. “Even if I wasn’t elected I’m showing up,” he said.

He worries that Yancey isn’t committed to the meetings so far.

“My opponent has been a ghost,” he said.

There is only one candidate for Position No. 2, Debbie Williams.

Sitting on the school board in Nine Mile is on a mostly volunteer basis – there is no pay involved – although members have the option of requesting $50 per meeting. Each term is four years.