Voters in Tyler County will be asked to select from three candidates for two open seats on the Tyler County Board of Education during the May 8 election.
The candidates are Ralph H. Boone, incumbent Linda L. Hoover and David "P.J." Wells.
Boone, 87, is a resident of Sistersville. He is a retired medical doctor who is a member of the Board of Managers at Sistersville General Hospital. He said one of the biggest concerns for today's children in Tyler County schools is keeping the schools current with technology.
"I think we have an excellent school system in this county and public education is evolving. Technology is requiring more time and effort. We need to continue and maintain the high level of technologies. We have put the bar here pretty high and we have to keep it there. I am also a big fan of extracurricular activities. I think the more things we get a student involved with the better their chance of graduating."
Boone said school buildings are in good condition and he has no concern with them. On lowering the levy rate to keep tax levels the same, he said, "I'm not sure. This county has always passed the levy because the population in this county is oriented to education."
Hoover, who is looking to retain her seat on the board, is president of the Tyler County Solid Waste Authority and president of the Middle Island Health Clinic. She is a resident of Middlebourne. Her biggest concern for today's children is "a good education, so they can get employment."
"Tyler County offers one of the best school systems in the state but good jobs are hard to come by this day and age," Hoover added. "We have an excellent graduation rate in Tyler County. Special classes are offered to help students, who need them, get their credits to graduate."
She noted the four schools in Tyler County "are all good buildings."
On the issue of lowering the levy rate to keep tax levels the same Hoover said, "It would have to be something to be looked at."
Wells, 42, is the owner of P.J. Wells Trucking which does log hauling.
He resides in Sistersville and is a lay minister and member of the First Baptist Church in Sistersville.
"I've talked to a lot of parents and our school system is based on college preparation. There needs to be vocational classes taught. In addition, communication skills have gone down. We've gotten away from the basics. Kids have to be kids."
On improving the graduation rate he said, "If we had more vocation classes that would help. Some kids are just not cut out for college."
Wells added he does not have any concern for the conditions of the school buildings in the county. He said, "My only concern is they want to move the pre-school out of Middlebourne to Boreman Elementary. I'm against that. I don't see a need to move it."
On pledging to lower the levy rate to keep tax levels as they are Wells said, "Yes. I'm against high taxes. I'm for lowering the levy."
