5 Things: Eufaula Seat 2 Unexpired term

Cathy Spaulding, Muskogee Phoenix, Okla.
·3 min read

Mar. 27—Kenny Bumgarner and Jessica Whisenhunt are seeking to fill the unexpired term for seat 2 on the Eufaula Board of Education. They answered the following questions about their candidacy.

1 Why are you running for the Board of Education?

BUMGARNER: "I am running for the Eufaula Board of Education because of my passion for Eufaula Public Schools and our community. I have always been actively involved with the school, youth, and families within our community. I want to improve and grow Eufaula Public Schools in all aspects by being more transparent, increase student-parent-community partnerships, provide high-quality education for all students, and receptiveness to new ideas."

WHISENHUNT: "I would like an opportunity to support and serve all of the students, staff/teachers, and community in the Eufaula Public School District."

2 What are your main qualifications for this position?

WHISENHUNT: "I attended Eufaula Public Schools for my entire school career and have been a lifelong community member in Eufaula. I currently have three sons who all attend Eufaula Public Schools ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. I will be involved in the school system for years to come with my own children."

BUMGARNER: "I previously served as District 5 School Board Member for Eufaula Public Schools from 2017 until I moved out of district in 2021. During my time as a school board member I gained overall knowledge of the inner workings of the school system. I am able to collaborate as a team member with other board members, staff, community, and the superintendent in order to work together to accomplish the board's and school's goals. For the past 40 years I have been working with children of all ages in athletics and can represent different groups and organizations in the community. I am a McIntosh County Juvenile Justice Specialist and have been working the past 11 years with McIntosh County youth, their families, court system, and community. I am currently the director of Eufaula Youth Football and co-director of McIntosh County Youth Basketball Association. I have a Bachelors of Criminal Justice degree with a minor in Sociology along with an OK Alternative Certificate for Mid-Level Social Studies Grades 5 to 8."

3 What are the most pressing issues facing your school district?

BUMGARNER: "I believe the most pressing issues facing our school district is academics, safety, and funding."

WHISENHUNT: "One of the big issues currently with Eufaula Public Schools is being able to fill our current teaching vacancies with qualified staff as well as being able to retain the wonderful staff we have currently. As a school board member, I need to be able to help ensure that what is being done is what is best for the school, students and staff as well as the community."

4 How would you confront these issues if you are elected?

WHISENHUNT: "I would reach out to the stakeholders involved for input before decisions are made, this would include families, teachers, staff, etc. When the stakeholders are involved, it makes the outcomes much better because they will support the decisions being made."

BUMGARNER: "I would confront these issues by working with the community, other board members, staff, and superintendent to develop an overall plan and strategy to overcome these issues."

5 What are the main capital needs facing your school district?

BUMGARNER: "The main capital need facing our school district is the need for more funding for school programs, facility upgrades, and salaries for our teachers and support staff."

WHISENHUNT: "Safety is always a major need when it comes to schools. Ensuring that we as a school board are able to assist with any and all needs when safety is concerned is paramount."

— Cathy Spaulding