Daviess County School Board Candidates
1. Do you oppose COVID-19 vaccine/booster mandates for students?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - Yes, it should be up to the parents to decide what is best for their children, whether a vaccine or alternative.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
2. Will you ensure instructional materials, lesson plans, and content are easily accessible to parents and the public?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - Yes, I will vote to allow parents to access materials their students are viewing and using. If schools are open with parents, this will foster a more receptive exchange between schools and parents.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
3. Do you support broadcasting and recording school board meetings to make them easily accessible to the public?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - Definitely yes, if no individuals' privacy is violated by disclosure during the meeting. In those cases, only that portion of the meeting should be blocked, and should only occur infrequently.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
4. Do critical race theory, social emotional learning or diversity equity and inclusion policies belong in schools?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - No, these divisive agendas should be addressed at home if desired. School is a place of education, not indoctrination. Why waste scarce resources on these agendas when recent DCPS scores show math competency of less than 40% for high school students and less than 50 % for reading.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
5. Should teachers be permitted to teach gender identity theory or gender fluidity to students?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - No, this should be taught by the parents, not staff at taxpayer expense. If we focused on education basics in place of attempted psychological adjustments, our students would be better prepared for college and the workforce.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
6. Do you believe that properly trained teachers and school personnel should be allowed to concealed carry in schools?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - Yes, in limited numbers, Trained, armed staff may make the difference between saving students or waiting for outside support to arrive after the fact.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
7. Do you believe that books with controversial subject matter should require parental permission for student access?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - Definitely. This is a parental decision. Forcing controversial materials into schools places an undue burden on Library staff to police the materials. What if one student took an inappropriate book and showed it around class, embarrassing another student whose parents did not condone that material? Should the second student suffer embarrassment simply because the first student checked out an unrestricted book?
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
8. Do you support requiring teachers to use pronouns selected by a student?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - No. Teachers have enough to deal with without adding another issue that has nothing to do with educating the student. Each student has a name that can be used instead.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
9. How will you stand against the radical ideological forces that are influencing public education and “dumbing down” our children?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - We should focus on educating students with what they need to learn to enter the workforce, instead of divisive ideologies driving us apart instead of bringing us together. I would support a return to educational basics. I would support policies holding those in charge accountable for student results.
We've had decades of excuses and finger pointing. The time for allowing that is long past. We need positive results if our students are going to succeed in life. If many of our high school graduates are having trouble just with reading and math, that is not acceptable. Authority goes downward. Responsibility goes upward. Implementing consequences where responsibility lies, will let our teachers teach and let our students learn what matters.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
10. Would you consider revising the process to get library books approved each year?
TAMMY MCCUBBINS RICE, DCPS-DISTRICT 3 – Did Not Respond
FRANK G. RINEY III, DCPS-DISTRICT 4 – Did Not Respond
TIMOTHY HICKS, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 - I am not certain of the current process, so I would need to learn how this is handled before commenting. My concern is how accurately the approval committee accurately represents the parents of the affected students. If the committee is stacked one way or the other, the opposing view will be at odds with any decisions.
Before revising any process, we should review what is working and what is not, and why. The DCPS board has policies in place addressing multiple issues.
I would support a review of these policies to determine whether they are followed as intended or need revision.
DALE STEWART, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
JOHN M "TREY" PIPPIN III, DCPS-DISTRICT 5 – Did Not Respond
Owensboro School Board Candidates
1. Do you oppose COVID-19 vaccine/booster mandates for students?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I understand the concerns surrounding COVID-19 booster mandates for students. While I fully support measures that ensure the health and safety of our community, I believe that decisions regarding vaccinations should ultimately be left to parents and guardians in consultation with their healthcare providers. Mandating boosters for students may not take into account individual health circumstances and personal beliefs. Therefore, I oppose mandatory COVID-19 booster shots for students and advocate for policies that respect personal choice and medical freedom."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
2. Will you ensure instructional materials, lesson plans, and content are easily accessible to parents and the public?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I firmly believe in the importance of transparency and accessibility in our educational system. As a member of the city school board, I will ensure that all instructional materials, lesson plans, and content are easily accessible to the public. This will allow parents, guardians, and community members to stay informed and engaged with what our students are learning. By making these resources available, we can foster a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute to the educational success of our students."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
3. Do you support broadcasting and recording school board meetings to make them easily accessible to the public?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I strongly support broadcasting and recording school board meetings to ensure they are easily accessible to the public. Transparency is crucial for building trust and fostering. community engagement. By making these meetings available to everyone, we can ensure. that all stakeholders are informed and can participate in the decision-making process. This approach will help create a more inclusive and accountable educational environment."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
4. Do critical race theory, social emotional learning or diversity equity and inclusion policies belong in schools?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - **"I believe that our educational system should focus on providing a balanced and inclusive environment for all students. Regarding Critical Race Theory (CRT), I do not support its inclusion in our K-12 curriculum. I believe that while understanding history and promoting. diversity is important, CRT is not the appropriate framework for our schools. Social Emotional Learning (SEL), on the other hand, has a valuable place in education when. implemented correctly. SEL can help students develop essential skills such as emotional regulation, empathy, and responsible decision-making, which are crucial for their overall development and success.
As for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, I support initiatives that promote inclusivity and ensure that all students, especially those with disabilities, have equal opportunities to succeed. These policies can help create a supportive and respectful learning environment for everyone."**
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
5. Should teachers be permitted to teach gender identity theory or gender fluidity to students?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I believe that our primary focus in education should be on core academic subjects and creating a stable learning environment for our students. I do not support the inclusion of gender identity theory or gender fluidity in our public-school curriculum. I feel that introducing these concepts can add unnecessary confusion for students who are already navigating many challenges. Instead, I advocate for a curriculum that prioritizes academic excellence and the well-being of all students."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
6. Do you believe that properly trained teachers and school personnel should be allowed to concealed carry in schools?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "As someone with a background in law enforcement, I understand the importance of extensive training when it comes to handling firearms. I believe that properly trained. volunteer teachers and school personnel should have access to guns as a last resort to ensure the safety of our students and staff. However, it is crucial that these individuals undergo rigorous training and continuous evaluation to be prepared for such responsibilities. The safety of our children is paramount, and any measures taken should prioritize their well-being and security."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
7. Do you believe that books with controversial subject matter should require parental permission for student access?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I believe that parents have the right to be informed and to make decisions about them children's exposure to controversial subject matter. Therefore, I support requiring parental permission for students to access hooks with such content. This approach ensures that parents can express their preferences and have a say in their children's education, while still allowing access to a wide range of materials for those who choose it."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
8. Do you support requiring teachers to use pronouns selected by a student?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I believe that maintaining clarity and consistency in our educational environment is important. Therefore, I do not support requiring teachers to use pronouns selected by students. I think it's essential to focus on the biological distinctions of male and female as a basis for addressing students. This approach helps to avoid confusion and ensures a stable learning environment for all students."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
9. How will you stand against the radical ideological forces that are influencing public education and “dumbing down” our children?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I am committed to standing against radical ideological forces that are influencing public education and lowering academic standards. I will use my voice, my vote, and my influence. within the community to combat these trends. My focus will be on ensuring that us schools provide a high-quality education that prepares our children for the future, free from unnecessary ideological influences. By working together with parents, teachers, and community members, we can uphold the integrity of our educational system and ensure that our students receive the best possible education."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond
10. Would you consider revising the process to get library books approved each year?
KENNY RILEY, OPS - "I believe that ensuring our students have access to appropriate and enriching library materials are crucial. While I am not currently familiar with the specific process for approving library books, I am committed to thoroughly reviewing it. If elected, I will work closely with educators, librarians, and parents to understand the current procedures and determine if any revisions are necessary to better serve our students and community. Transparency and collaboration will be key in this process."
MELISSA AKEMI DECKER, OPS – Did Not Respond
TYLER SAGARDOY, OPS – Did Not Respond
LEIGH RHOADS DOYAL, OPS – Did Not Respond
JEREMY EDGE, OPS – Did Not Respond