13 apply for 2 vacant spots on West Ada school board

Editor’s note: Since this story first appeared online, Victor I. Olivares, an applicant for Zone 1 withdrew his name from consideration.

The West Ada School District Board of Trustees has no shortage of candidates to fill two positions left open by the recall of Tina Dean and Carol Sayles.

Applicants include teachers, retired educators, businesspeople and a former West Ada trustee.

Nine applicants are from Zone 1, in the western portion of the district that Dean represented, and four are from Zone 3, in the eastern section of the district that Sayles represented.

The three sitting trustees, who have the authority to fill vacancies through appointment, will hold a public interview session with applicants from Zone 1 starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at District Service Center, 1300 E. Central Drive.

A second meeting is planned to interview applicants for Zone 3 on Thursday. Trustees may or may not select a trustee after each meeting.

Zone 1

Aaron J. Fuhriman

Occupation: Credit card processing, Guardian Financial

“I have watched what the current and recent board has gone through and I wonder, ‘What on God’s green Earth would convince someone to subject themselves to that kind of torture?’ And the only way I can answer that for myself is that someone needs to do it, and do it well. I feel like that can be me. ... I have extremely thick skin and I love this area with all my heart.”

Brent K. Ho

Occupation: Station captain, Boise Fire Department

“I am aware of the struggles that have risen and continue to burden the board and its members. I believe that since I have not been influenced from a political standpoint within the district, but have been involved to support the teachers, I am most qualified to represent the district for the best interest of the students.”

Ed A Klopfenstein

Occupation: Owner, Visual String, boutique software development company in Meridian

“I believe I can provide value to the board through my commitment to being a financial conservative and by using skills honed over 13 years in a private software business.”

Tanya M. Koyle

Occupation: Office/sales manager, The Blind Gallery in Meridian

“I would be honored to serve as a member of the West Ada School District Board of Trustees. I had four children go through West Ada K-12. We were the beneficiaries of many amazing teachers.”

Michael V. Long

Occupation: Infrastructure systems operator, city of Boise Public Works Department

“Serving on the board is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the community.”

Luis F. Mercado

Occupation: Molina Healthcare, fiscal agent for Medicaid for state of Idaho

“As an employer I seek for candidates who are curious and want to learn. If we can create that type of young people, our economy and the community in general will do well.”

Andy R. Schuler

Occupation: Senior developer with iCentris Inc., a software development company

“My biggest asset I bring to the board is my technical expertise. With 15 years in the software development industry, I’m well versed in analyzing the feasibility/cost/practicality of technical solutions and can develop and manage projects as needed.”

Larry E. Wood

Occupation: Property casualty specialist for MetLife Auto & Home

“I believe that our most precious asset is the rising generation of children. We must provide them with the very best education possible to prepare them for an extremely competitive world. The challenge is to do this while being fiscally responsible and maintaining a transparent process.”

Jason J. Woodward

Occupation: Owner, Boise Property Management Group; served on district’s boundary committee that draws attendance zones

“Having been exposed to the school board during the boundary committee process, that volunteering of time and emotion exposed me to needs I feel I can help by restoring public faith in the process.”

Zone 3

Trudy J. Anderson

Occupation: Retired Idaho educator

“The West Ada School District plays a vital role in the prosperity of our community by shaping the policies that govern the district’s educational programs. I would like to commit my time as a retiree and my experience as an educator to serve our community, especially in an educational setting.”

Loraine A. Hand

Occupation: Assistant to dean of BSU’s College of Business and Economics; West Ada trustee 2009-13

“As the district ventures through this time of change and new opportunities present themselves, I hope with my past experience I can be a sound, thoughtful participant in the discussion and decision-making of these opportunities.”

Clay B. Hatfield

Occupation: Teacher and coach, Wilder School District; placed on administrative leave as teacher in 2014, later resigned

“It has been disheartening to watch the loss of local control (in the district) over the past months. I would like to be a part of the foundation on which the West Ada school board is rebuilt.”

Steve Smylie

Occupation: Retired educator, former Republican legislator

“West Ada is at a crossroads. I believe that I can offer a unique set of skills to assist the students, teachers, parents, administration and community move forward.”

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 1:24 PM with the headline "13 apply for 2 vacant spots on West Ada school board."