McGuffey board member sings district’s praises
A former drum major hopes to play an instrumental role at his alma mater.
“I’m going to speak my mind and make educated decisions that will be best for the kids. It’s kids first here,” said David Haines, who by a 6-1 vote, became the newest member of McGuffey School Board Thursday night. He fills the spot left vacant by the abrupt resignation of Frank Archambault at last month’s meeting.
Haines, of Donegal Township, will represent McGuffey’s District 1, made up of Donegal. Blaine Township, Claysville and West Alexander. He was elected over other candidates: Betty Shingle and Mike Matthews.
The directors, absent Ken Leasure, asked six questions of each while the two other hopefuls were out of the room. They then selected Haines, who was sworn in and sat with his fellow members for a few minutes before they broke for executive session.
They brought a true-blue blue-and-gold alumnus on board at a meeting that was not nearly as contentious as the one in June. Haines, who was born in California, has been a district resident since he was very young. He was drum major of the McGuffey band before graduating in the 1970s. Haines later returned to teach music classes and direct the band before retiring in June 2016 after 22 years.
He said “a lot of people” asked him to apply for the director’s position, and it was an easy choice.
“This is a great school district,” he said. “It’s one of the best-kept secrets around.”
During his interview, before the board and an audience of about 25, Haines said “education as a whole needs a lot of attention” and expressed concerns about finances. The directors last month furloughed nine teachers and three support personnel.
In an interview later with a reporter, he said: “The state requires so much of the district, and the state is not giving enough money to the district. Everything falls on the taxpayer.”
Haines also stressed that, as elected officials, board members “have to listen to the community. Its concerns are important.”
His term will end Nov. 30, but he hopes to continue serving afterward. Voters in early November will elect a director to assume that seat for a full two-year term, beginning Dec. 4. Haines said he plans to have his name on the ballot. The deadline to file as an independent or third-party candidate is Aug. 1.
Archambault, who was in the audience Thursday, resigned at the June 15 meeting immediately following the executive session. He cited a dispute with another member.
On another matter, the board accepted an irrevocable letter of retirement from Tammy Lindley, supervisor of food services, effective Sept. 5. She was wavering on that decision, though, saying “a few board members asked me to stay, and an overwhelming number of people don’t want me to leave.” Several supporters were in the audience Thursday.
If the board rescinded her decision to retire, she said before its vote, “I would consider staying. But either way would be fine.”
Lindley, a 27-year employee, is upset over an unsatisfactory rating she received on an evaluation in the past year.
“That broke my heart,” she said. “We won two awards this year and passed three state reviews. I don’t consider myself unsatisfactory.
“All of us should respect each other in this community. We haven’t had that the past few years.”