Logan school board candidates talk issues

A sitting member of the Logan school board is facing a challenger in the Nov. 2 election.

Position 5 incumbent Tom Humble, 57, a signal maintainer for the Union Pacific Railroad, is being opposed by Toby Jon Willis, 45, owner of the Autumn Blessings assisted-living facility in Logan, for a four-year term.

Board President Scott Osborn, who represents Position 4, is unopposed for re-election.

The Quay County Sun sent Humble and Willis a form with three questions about their candidacies. Their answers are lightly edited for clarity.

What prompted you to run for school board?

Humble: “I was originally asked to run for school board when a member had decided not to run for another term. My son was still in high school. and I had a grandson getting ready to go into preschool here at Logan. I am a product of Logan schools and have a great deal of pride in our school and our long tradition of excellence and quality of education, and I felt then as I feel now that I can be an important part of maintaining and improving our district as one of the very best schools in the state.”

Willis: “My initial reason for running for school board was a desire to serve my community and my school. Logan Schools was good to me and has been fantastic for my kids. More recently I have felt even more compelled to run for the school board to help protect our children as much as possible in these ever-changing and politically charged times. They have lost so much of their childhood in the last two years. I want to do everything in my power to give them as ‘normal’ a childhood as possible.”

What are your qualifications for the position?

Humble: “I believe that one of my very best qualifications for this position is perspective. I was raised by educators, and there are several educators and school administrators all over this state in my family from whom I draw information, wisdom and, again, perspective. I have always taken full advantage of the high levels of training the NMSB offers, and hold a position on the regional board which I feel gives our school and community a more direct voice in the direction and opportunities of education regionally and statewide. I take the responsibilities of our school board very seriously and try always to improve myself to better represent this school and community that I am so very proud of.”

Willis: “I feel qualified for this position because I have a heart for kids and for service. I recognize that while I have much to learn, I am willing and eager to do so. I feel that I am a natural leader, but I also recognize the value and strength of teamwork. Most importantly, I have the desire to serve … to stand in the gap for our kids, our future.”

If elected, what are your goals?

Humble: “My goals for our school are simple and the same as the day I was first elected: to give our students the best possible sustainable learning environment that can be provided. To me, this means a strong stable administration working toward those same goals hiring the best educators and holding them to the highest standards and doing our best to provide an environment for our students and staff that fosters excellence and achievement. We serve our school district as their representatives in our state education system, and I hope that I do that well, my focus will always be for our students.”

Willis: “I want to see Logan continue its strong tradition of excellence in academics and extracurricular programs. I want to ensure that Logan Schools continues to be a safe environment for our kids. Bottom line, I want all students to have what I had at Logan … a place with caring adults who strive to help them become the very best they can, a chance to be a kid and make memories. That must be protected!”