28 2020 ELECTION GUIDE
Messenger-Inquirer Wednesday, October 14, 2020
DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION Editor’s note: Three of the five seats on the DCPS board are open this election. Each seat is a nonpartisan elected position. Candidate profiles have been edited only for spelling, grammar and punctuation, and otherwise appear as submitted.
DATE OF BIRTH Sept. 20, 1963 ADDRESS 3359 Shadewood Terrace, Owensboro, KY 42303 EDUCATION business degree from Western Kentucky University OCCUPATION Insurance in Daviess County ELECTED OFFICES HELD Daviess County Public Schools Board of Education member (2016-present) SPOUSE/PARTNER & CHILDREN Married; two children
TODD ANDERSON
District 3
Do you support the decisions made on in-person classes vs. virtual learning during the COVID19 pandemic? Yes. Our Reopening Task Force crafted a plan that follows the safety components expected by the state. I applaud their thoughtful and tireless efforts. What do you see as the most important function of the board of education as a whole, and what strengths will you bring individually to enhance the board’s effectiveness? Providing a quality learning experience in a safe environment for students and staff is the paramount function. My professional career in business managing a multimillion-dollar budget and overseeing employees brings a different background to the table as we approve the budget and establish policy that ensures efficiency and effectiveness. What do you view as the greatest strength and biggest area of weakness in Daviess County Public Schools, and what will you do to enhance or improve upon these areas? By far, our greatest strength is our employees. Next would be our education partners. The dual credit/early college opportunities with OCTC, KWC, Brescia and newly added Murray State provide enormous opportunities for our students that save our parents $1.5 million per year in tuition costs. One area of concern is the need we are seeing for more people to enter the teaching profession. What do you view as the role of public education in a community? The role of public education is to lay a strong foundation of fundamentals for each student and create opportunities for their individual success.
DIANNE BURNS MACKEY
District 3
Do you support the decisions made on in-person classes vs. virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic? The American Academy of Pediatrics has highlighted the importance of in-person learning, and I support having students physically present at school to the maximum extent possible. What do you see as the most important function of the board of education as a whole, and what strengths will you bring individually to enhance the board’s effectiveness? Providing parents and teachers with tools to shape all children, of differing abilities, into productive citizens is the key function of the board. My experience as a teacher, past DCPS board member, and business owner are my key strengths and reflect my deep dedication to and understanding of our community. Of new importance, a female’s perspective needs a seat at the table. What do you view as the greatest strength and biggest area of weakness in Daviess County Public Schools, and what will you do to enhance or improve upon these areas? The dedicated teachers who devote time, talent and even personal funds to the instruction and care of our students are our greatest strength. DCPS does not value our community’s hard-earned tax dollars. Owensboro reduced its property tax rate to the lowest mark in seven years, while our current board presided over multiple tax increases (four consecutive). I’ll fight to fund educational programs, not excessive, expensive construction projects. What do you view as the role of public education in a community? Education exists to prepare semi-disciplined students to be active contributors to society.
ADDRESS 135 Brownsvalley Redhill Road, Utica, KY 42376 EDUCATION B.S. in elementary education and math, Western Kentucky University; MA in Guidance Counseling; Rank I (Guidance and Counseling) Gifted and Talented Certification OCCUPATION DCPS teacher (35 years); Owner/ Operator of Masonville Food Center; Owner/Operator of Kentucky Konvenience Food Mart EELECTED OFFICES HELD DCPS board member (2008-2016) SPOUSE/PARTNER & CHILDREN Husband Jay Mackey; children JJ Mackey, Burns Mackey and Mari-Scarlett Mackey Hirte; four grandchildren
