Kris Madison is set to face off against incumbent Grace Palculict for the Parkers Chapel school board, position 4 seat in tomorrow’s election.
Madison spoke with the News-Times recently in an interview touching on her priorities and plans if elected and her thoughts on how to approach acting as a school board member.
The candidate explained that her family spent several years in northwest Arkansas after her oldest daughters graduated from Parkers Chapel.
The family has since moved back to El Dorado and has two younger daughters currently attending the school.
“We recently came back last year… And I’ve been seeing things that have changed in the policy structure. I just started attending school board meetings right after Christmas, and I just think there’s things we need clarification on. Parkers Chapel was a top three school in the state when my [older] girls went there, and I definitely think we need to get back in the direction of owning the school for what it is in terms of size and of being transparent with students, being really open,” Madison said.
With former superintendent John Gross coming out of retirement to lead the district as superintendent Michael White retires, Madison believes the time is right to alter the course of the district.
“[Parkers Chapel families] are very competitive and want to be the best… in all areas. I think it’s a good time to regroup with the new change in leadership; not to be negative towards the current board or anyone who has been on there before - I just think it’s time for new ideas… to achieve our goals,” she said.
Madison said she is looking forward to working with Gross if she is elected and considers him to be an excellent choice to lead the school district.
“Gross is one of the best leaders in education in the state in my opinion, no contest. He’s there, very present and knows everybody’s name… I definitely think that [his hiring] very much motivated me [to run],” she said.
Madison has a great deal of experience in the corporate world including a stint at Murphy, she said, and a current position with Wal-Mart. She believes that facilitating communication is a key task of a school board and that her corporate experience qualify her to do just that.
“I started as an intern at Murphy and was able to move up in my career and progress. Wal-Mart recruited and brought me in and really extended my skills as a leader… My skill set is that I’m good at listening, [which] in turn helps me become better leader. I realize we need to listen to everyone, to bring in teachers, listen to students and talk to everyone, and have big meetings to get consensus from everyone and get feedback,” Madison said.
Madison said that having a special needs child gives her a unique perspective on the relationship of teachers to students and what teachers and students need to succeed.
“It’s all about helping students. Having a special-needs child opened my eyes up so much more. It’s harder for special needs kids in school… The teachers at Parkers Chapel care about and love everyone who is there. It all depends on helping guide teachers to make sure they get on the students’ level and giving them the tools to help do that… Technology is always changing and there is so much more out there to give students to make sure they can succeed in college,” Madison said
Election day is May 18 and polls will be open at the First Baptist Church of Parkers Chapel. Polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.