Dana Golbek

[Editor’s note: Dana Golbekl has authorized the Times & Free Press to publish the following paid announcement of her candidacy for re-election to the Kingfisher Board of Education, subject to the April 5 election.]

I graduated from Alva High School and Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

My husband, Larry, and I moved to Kingfisher in 1981.

I taught high school math in Kingfisher for 32 years and concurrent math classes for Redlands Community College for 21 years.

Both my sons graduated from Kingfisher Public Schools. Mark and his wife Chelsea live in Kingfisher with their two children, Cord and Chloe, who attend Kingfisher Public Schools. Eric and his wife Requil live in Tulsa and have three children, Ethan, Andrew and Emily.

I have dedicated my life to education, serving as a teacher for 32 years, and I have had the honor of serving the Kingfisher community as a school board member for two terms.

Educating children and providing opportunities in all areas of the public school setting has always been very important to me. As a board member, I know that providing a quality education to our students must be our priority.

To do that requires a staff that is qualified and motivated. The board has been proactive in providing incentives to retain and attract quality teachers and administrators.

The board has encouraged and provided the means for teachers and administrators to continue to implement programs in all grade levels to enrich and encourage student success.

To facilitate success, Kingfisher students have access to the most current technologies. Our students have many excellent co-curricular and extracurricular activities to choose from.

Knowing that our students deserve to be educated in an environment conducive to learning, the board continues to work on plans to improve our buildings and campuses without a tax increase to our patrons.

As a board member, I believe I have an indepth knowledge of my district and have established a working relationship with our superintendent, teachers and administrators based on mutual respect, collegiality and a joint commitment to student success.

I am running for re-election because I believe my background in education and my experience on the school board give me a unique and valuable perspective to make decisions that will have a positive effect on our students, faculty, staff and the community.

Mitch Massey

[Editor’s note: Mitch Massey has authorized the Times & Free Press to publish the following paid announcement of his candidacy for the Kingfisher Board of Education, subject to the April 5 election.]

My name is Mitch Massey and I’m asking for your vote for Kingfisher School Board.

I attended Kingfisher Public Schools from fifth grade through high school graduation in 1988. I also hold a bachelor of science degree in construction technology from the University of Central Oklahoma and own a construction business.

My wife Tamara (a 1987 KHS grad) and I have three daughters, Aly and Aby, both KHS graduates, and Anna, a sophomore.

If elected, I believe the other school board members, superintendent and myself are part of a team with one goal, educating students and giving the best overall experience we are capable of.

I do not have a single focus but rather a big picture vision that includes success for all students, teachers/ coaches and administrators.

We need to retain, hire and attract the best teachers/coaches and administrators and find a way to compensate them well enough that they don’t want to leave for other school districts.

We must be wise and responsible with district funds but continually maintain, renovate and improve our school buildings, activity buildings and sports facilities. By doing so, we will help ensure students, teachers/coaches will enjoy a better overall educational experience.

We need to continually foster a strong relationship with the community, educators and board members by increasing communication and transparency between the board and community.

I decided to run because having grown up in a great school with great teachers and coaches helped make me who I am today and I want to be a part of continuing that tradition at KPS.