<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These candidates are running for four open positions within Hays USD 489, the general election will be November 5th<\/sup>. Adams and Oborny are seeking re-election as they currently serve on the board. When presented with a question regarding what the purpose of public school education is, Engel answered, \u201cI think the purpose of public school education is to make sure that we educate our citizens to prepare them to take care of us much like those that came before us.\u201d Wellbrock also had an answer to the question \u201cTruly it is to prepare our young people to be able to go out into this world and be a fully contributing member of society,\u201d she said. The candidates discussed numerous topics in hope to prove their opinion and influence others around them in a positive manner concerning the school board and district 489. Many specific questions were asked to the candidates, some originated from the moderators and some from the audience at the debate. One such question was the purpose of USD 489 having 13 Suburbans. \u201cI believe that we need to be fiscally responsible in that type of situation,\u201d Hertel said. \u201cI know that we need our youth participating in activities, and if that allows them to do so then I think that it\u2019s a good fiscal decision.\u201d Moffitt also had an answer to the question \u201cThe Suburbans provide us with an opportunity to drive students to events that do not have transportation, the impact the Suburbans have on the community helps us to be able to prosper and grow,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another response came from Pallister \u201cFrom past knowledge of when I was at the middle school, there were a lot of days that we needed all 13 Suburbans throughout the district, a lot of our students need the transportation daily.\u201d Another question addressed the $3,500 deductible for health insurance for USD 489 employees. \u201cI\u2019ve spoken with several teachers in the district and I\u2019ve heard repeatedly that they are upset with this switch in the plan,\u201d Herman said. \u201cThe whole base of the issue is that teachers are paying more out of pocket than they were, and I think this is a symptom of bigger problems\u201d Park also answered \u201cThe increase of insurance rate is a strain on the family, and the unknown increase from year to year is another stress for teachers, I believe it is the board\u2019s concern to figure out how to take care of those increases.\u201d One audience member asked about how people like herself who don\u2019t have kids in the USD 489 system can still support the District. \u201cThey are benefitting from the school district as well, it may not be your child, but it may be someone else\u2019s child, and they are reaching out and providing services to everybody in the community,\u201d Hertel said. Oborny answered the question as well \u201cThat person can decide how engaged they want to be, at the end of the day they can either choose to be very engaged or not engaged at all, however, we are always looking for help throughout the district.\u201d Adams also answered, \u201cIt is important to have a strong school district here in Hays because that is the climate of the community and we want a strong Hays, Kansas,\u201d he said. These questions required the candidates to think quickly and answer with their current knowledge, helping to differentiate each individual with their own personal strengths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/USD489Debate20192.png?fit=790%2C599\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/USD489Debate20193.png?fit=790%2C588\")
<\/figure><\/li>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/USD489Debate20194.png?fit=790%2C591\")
<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n