Sweet Home candidates stress community involvement
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

The four candidates seeking election to the Sweet Home School Board each gave concise, personal statements during the annual Meet the Candidates night held May 1 at the Norman C. Vergils Community Center.

Marianne Jasen spoke first, stressing her track record of attendance at nearly every Board of Education meeting during the past two years.

Many times, she said, she has been the only community member in attendance. Jasen also cited her involvement with parents organizations and other school activities.

Incumbent Douglas Galli highlighted his business experience and how it has helped him serve the district better.

He said that when he and his family moved to the area 11 years ago, "We couldn't have landed in a better district for our kids."

Debbie Adams spoke of how she has been active in Sweet Home schools for 10 of the 15 years she has been a resident of the district.

"My goal has been to make parents feel more welcome at the middle school," she said. Increasing parental involvement through volunteer activities has given her the confidence to run for a seat on the board, she added.

Scott Johnson, who was appointed to the board last summer when former board member Heidi Dizer moved out of the district, pointed out that he was selected for the seat from a field of more than a dozen candidates.

"This board is very open to new ideas from the outside, something I realized even as just a parent," he said. "I am excited about the direction in which the district is moving."

The two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected to the five-year terms. The third-place candidate will complete the final year of the unexpired term.

Galli, an incumbent, is seeking re-election to a full five-year term.

The annual district vote will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15 at Sweet Home High School, 1901 Sweet Home Road.