ELKINS — Candidates for the Randolph County Board of Education recently took part in a “Meet the Candidate” event in which they discussed their goals and priorities for ensuring students in Randolph County can be successful.

Incumbents Lisa Wamsley, Tygart District; Donna Auvil, Elkins District; and Janie Newlon, Cheat District; are all up for re-election.

Wamsley said one of her biggest goals is to make sure students are prepared for the future, noting she believes high graduation rates in the county show the school system has been successful in doing just that.

“I’m proud to say our schools meet gradation requirements, and for the past two years Tygarts Valley (High School) and Pickens (School) have met graduation requirements,” Wamsley said. “We are 48th in the (country) for teacher pay; however, in 2015-16, in the nation, West Virginia was number 20 for graduating students — that’s something to be very proud of.

“Not only are we preparing students to work here locally – I read in the paper today, there are 450 jobs approximately available right here in our area – we are preparing our students today, not only for their future, but for our future. That’s thanks to a teacher, that’s thanks to a bus driver for getting them to school, and that’s thanks to a cook for making them a nutritious meal,” she continued.

Wamsley has served three terms as a BOE member.

“This is my third term, and I’m still just as excited about education as I was 12 years ago,” she said.

Wamsley, of Valley Bend, is opposed by Curlie Ray Jr., of Beverly.

“When it comes to education, making sure our children receive every opportunity provided, is my top priority,” he said.

Ray also noted he believes his leadership and involvement with the Tygart Valley Christian Academy has prepared him to take on the role of board member.

“For the past 24 years, I have been the president of Tygart Valley Christian Academy, a K-12 private Christian school in Beverly, West Virginia,” he said. “Through TVCA, I have been given the privilege of working one-on-one with students in K-12th grade — from children with special needs to children that are high achievers. I have been blessed with an opportunity no other candidate has been given. … From working with teachers, service personnel and parents, to applying for grants and signing payroll checks, I am the only candidate that has the experience needed for the Randolph County Board of Education.”

Auvil, of Elkins, is opposed by Terri Weiford, of Elkins, and Melodee Price, of Elkins.

Auvil said she has a passion for all students, touching on numerous projects over the past several years, including improvements made to Harman School, HVAC installation at Coalton Elementary School, ongoing classroom construction at George Ward Elementary School, construction of a new kitchen and cafeteria at Beverly Elementary School, and other projects.

“Always remember this, education is the first step (toward) every job in the future,” she said.

Auvil has served one term as a BOE member and worked at the county office for 30 years.

Weiford said the BOE should strive to be proactive, not reactive.

“I think as a member of the board of education, that’s one thing we need to strive to do — we need to strive to be proactive, not reactive so that we are prepared for things that may come up,” she said. “I would have to work with the other board members as a team, as part of a team, to work to accomplish things that need to be taken care of in the county.”

She went on to say the board must work with the public, students, staff and parents as a team to be successful.

“Everybody who has anything to do with the education system needs to have a voice,” she continued.

Weiford noted she previously worked for the county school system, making her aware of policies and procedures of the board.

Price said she hopes to make a positive change in the county school system if elected, noting that her involvement with Elkins Make it Shine sparked her interest in running for BOE. The West Virginia Make it Shine initiative is geared toward making the Mountain State the cleanest in the country.

“I would organize clean-up events at the schools because it seemed they needed help maintaining their grounds. I feel it is important to have an environment that the kids can be proud of — a person’s surroundings can affect their mood and disposition,” she said. “If children and staff do not have a school that is kept up, it will effect their outlook; they must have pride in their surroundings to show pride in their

surroundings.”

Price said if the county “raises the bar” with their facilities, it will ultimately positively impact students and teachers as well as the community.

“We hear first impressions are lasting impressions — we need to make good impressions for our students and those who visit our schools from other counties,” she added.

Newlon, of Montrose, is running unopposed.

After serving for two terms as a member of the BOE, Newlon said she recognizes difficult decisions must be made and that she makes herself available to hear concerns from constituents before making a vote.

“I have visited schools to understand before voting — like touring Harman – I have asked questions and demanded explanations about votes that effect our students and our personnel — one of those was Homestead School,” she said. “Decisions are hard to make, and I have been available to all of the stakeholders, parents, community members, educators and students – I have been and will continue to be available to all.

“In all of the decisions I have made, I have had to look and go with my heart for what is best for the children of Randolph County,” she continued.

Newlon noted she is involved in a number of youth-related organizations including serving as director and instructor of Shining Light Pre-School, a member of the recreation board at Camp Pioneer, and a member of Log-A-Load, a program which raises money for the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital.

BOE members serve four-year terms. The “Meet the Candidates” event was hosted by the Randolph County Democratic Executive Committee.

The primary election is scheduled for May 8.