​Thank you for taking the time to learn the basis of my decision to run for the Eureka Springs School Board.  I would appreciate your vote.

I believe in our kids, our teachers and in our administration.  We have a good school district and caring school board. We also have an opportunity to be better and it is the role of the school board to drive that change and ensures Expectations Meet Opportunities.

As Manager of the Crescent & Basin Park Hotels, Chairman of the Eureka Springs Main Street program and member of the Eureka Springs Community Center Foundation board, I believe my experience in managing large staffs & a budget similar in scale to the district can be insightful on shaping the big picture while carefully watching day to day expense.

As a volunteer for the school district,

• I served on the committee to fend off Governor Beebe's efforts to remove $7824,516  annually from the district
  
• I served on the facilities committee that created a work list to include such projects as the safety lights on highway 23, re-surfacing the track and adding the  elementary school playground. 
  

Furthermore for three years

• I enjoyed time in the classroom teaching a class on hospitality business
  
• Assisted FBLA in developing a popup business model for the Christmas season 
  
• Assisted in coaching the softball team.
  

This time put me close to the students where I learned about the expectations and needs of the kids as well as growing an appreciation for the hard working professionals who work in the district.

I have identified a few areas where I will be able to apply my experience in re-setting expectations for the district while capitalizing on opportunities, moving the district forward towards excellence:

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• Fiscal Responsibility
  
• Teacher Salaries
  
• Career Education
  
• After School Programs
  
• Increasing Test Scores by Grade / by classroom
  
• Bus Transportation to the Historic District
  
• Early Development of the athletic programs
• Competitive Curriculum​
• Leadership in Civic Responsibility
  

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Fiscal Responsibility

We are fortunate to have stability in our finances.  I will ensure that we never fall into an area of fiscal distress, yet not be so conservative that the district operation is compromised.  Currently revenues in excess are being transferred into a building fund (see below).  Working with administration we will identify thresholds to ensure stability while revenues in excess will be applied to the benefit of the students and teachers. 

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​July 11,2017 Board Minutes transferring revenues in excess to the building fund 
FUND TRANSFER:  A motion was made by Jason Morris and seconded by Gayla Wolfinbarger to approve the transfer of $983,000 from the operating fund to the building fund for future projects.  The motion carried 6-0. 

Teacher Salaries (see chart below)

While we have the highest in Carroll County our salaries and stipends lag behind the adjacent Pea Ridge School District and are far behind Northwest Arkansas 7A schools. Furthermore, Stipends which were dramatically effected during the period of concern regarding the URT, financial distress and concern with the state education department need review.

Career Education

When I taught the hospitality class, I recognized the potential that career education can have on students.  I also noted a great interest level by the students.  Beginning in Elementary levels and continuing through graduation, students should learn about entrepreneurialship, personal finance and the opportunities in Carroll County and the surrounding region.  Our strength as a community will be in future graduates returning and investing in our district.  I will strongly advocate applicable career education, assist in developing a partners in education program, re-invigorate FBLA and work to ensure that students engage in our community and our community engages in its students. 

AfterSchool Program

I will support after school and summer programs for the elementary and middle school levels.  As a program of the school or with a cooperative, our children should have a safe space to go after school for a reasonable period when parents are at work or unavailable.

Historic Loop Transportation

For far too long students who live on the historic loop have not been provided bus transportation.  Students as young a 1st grade are dropped at the community center and made to walk home from there while bus transportation goes everywhere else throughout the county.  This is not acceptable and in an age of concern and on a corridor of non-residential high traffic this needs to change. 

Support of athletic programs 

I will support both increases in stipends for coaches in programs with high time demand as well as programs that encourage development of sports at the elementary and middle school age level.  Participation in sports has a great upside in community, teamwork, attitude and overall life skills.

Competitive Curriculum

Our adjacent districts offer much wider and diverse curriculum to their students.  This factor may be a compelling component as to why our student transfer rate is more than double that of our neighboring districts

Test Scores

We must recognize that the district is measured by its performance on these scores.  We should strive for the highest scores in the region from elementary, middle and high school.  We should support teachers who see results and challenge others who fall behind.  These scores do not tell the full story on education, however they have a direct impact on our community and parents cite the performance of the district as a primary reason for relocation and retention.  I recognize and share in celebrating our most recent ADE grades of A for the High School & Middle School and look forward to assisting in increasing the Elementary School scores.  Our enrollment level allows for smaller classrooms and I hope to translate that to Excellence in the classroom at all levels .

Leadership in Civic Responsibiity

I will support a program that challenges student leaders to learn more  and participate actively in local, state and national government.  

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Representing the Western District of Carroll County

Property tax collections provide the foundation of the district and I recognize that our district is composed of three main areas.  Grassy Knob, Holiday Island and Eureka Springs proper all contribute measurably to the success of the district.  I will apply my decision making with this understanding.

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Jack V Moyer

Hotel Professional - Community Developer - Volunteer