Six candidates running for 3 Columbia Falls positions

There are six candidates for three open positions on the Columbia Falls school board. All are running for full, three-year terms.

The candidates include incumbents Dean Chisholm, Scott Emmerich and Darrell Newby and newcomers Dee Brown, Jenny Draband and Lyle Mitchell.

Mitchell was out of town and unavailable for comment; the information below is from a statement he wrote for the Columbia Falls School District.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Glacier Gateway Elementary and Canyon Elementary schools.

Name: Dee Brown

Occupation: Owner, Canyon RV Campground and Cabins

Background/experience: 26 years teaching in Columbia Falls schools, primarily in the Canyon; Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce president; four years as a state legislator

Why she’s running: “It’s sad to me that we have no school board representation from the Canyon. I said, you know, I might as well run for the board. I know schools inside and out.

“I think the taxpayers are good enough to give great suggestions on ways we can save money, tighten our bootstraps and provide great service to our students. I look forward to the opportunity.

“I’m one who said, nobody’s seat should go unchallenged. I’m glad to see three incumbents running and three newcomers. Nobody should be complacent when it comes to schools and what’s happening in our neighborhoods.”

Name: Dean Chisholm

Occupation: Lawyer, Chisholm & Chisholm PC

Background/experience: Has served on the Columbia Falls school board for seven years; has coached football, basketball, baseball and other sports; active in the Wildcat Athletic Endowment, CASA and United Way groups; has three children in Columbia Falls schools

Why he’s running: “It’s been said a million times, but you can’t have an effective democracy or successful economy without providing a quality education. In this economy and with very limited dollars available to us, it takes a collaborative effort among the teachers and the staff and the school board and the community to make the most of every dollar. With every school board decision, you’re trying to balance all of these competing interests in a thoughtful way to create a safe and efficient environment for kids to learn and grow.”

Name: Jenny Draband

Occupation: Hauls heavy equipment for Midway Rental

Background/experience: Columbia Falls City-County Planning Board member; youth sports coach, including softball, volleyball and soccer; hunter education instructor; two daughters at Columbia Falls Junior High

Why she’s running: “I’m running because I don’t necessarily like what I see going on in schools and the policies we have in place that don’t seem to be enforced. There are so many changes going on. I worry about my kids’ future; we have six more years in the school district before my youngest daughter graduates. If I sit back and don’t say anything, don’t do anything, I don’t have any reason to complain.

“I think we have some disciplinary policies I don’t think are enforced very well. ... We have all these bullying programs in school, yet we’re not actually enforcing programs on kids who are being bullied.”

Name: Scott Emmerich

Occupation: North Fork District ranger, Glacier National Park

Background/experience: Has served for two years on the Columbia Falls school board; serves on long-range planning and disciplinary committees in the district; volunteered in classrooms for eight years; ALERT board trustee for 20 years; American Red Cross instructor for 20 years; teaches bowhunter education and snowmobile safety; has 20 years’ experience as a federal firearms instructor; American Heart Association instructor/trainer for 15 years; daughter in Columbia Falls schools

Why he’s running: “Through involvement as a volunteer parent in the classroom, I saw how dedicated and hard-working the teachers in this school district are and want to help ensure those efforts and their voices are recognized in shaping the future of our school system. ... Schools are an investment in our future.

“I believe that our economy is forcing us to enter a transition period for both primary and secondary education. Compounded by declining enrollments, we’re being asked to be creative in how we are going to provide outstanding educational opportunities for the children in our community while respecting the fiscal challenges placed on the local taxpayers.

“Serving a role as a school trustee provides an opportunity to effectively work with the community to influence this change. As a taxpayer, I look at this as an opportunity to be thoroughly involved in every aspect of where those limited education tax dollars are spent.”

Name: Lyle Mitchell

Occupation: Agent, State Farm Insurance

Background/experience: Parents and wife were educators; state president, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; has served as president for Kiwanis and the Columbia Falls Area Chamber of Commerce; Flathead County Economic Development Authority board member; fundraiser for Flathead Valley Habitat for Humanity

Why he’s running: “I was brought up in an environment that emphasized the rewards of our public education system. ... Giving back to my community has been a priority. ...

“The education system in Montana is going through many adjustments learning to do more with less. I feel as a business owner and financial professional I can contribute to finding solutions. We only get one chance to educate our children and grandchildren.”

Name: Darrell Newby

Occupation: Missionary to senior living facilities across the valley

Background/experience: Has served three years on the board of trustees; pastored the Assembly of God Church in Columbia Falls for 30 years; had two kids in Columbia Falls schools

Why he’s running: “I care about the kids and the school and hopefully will make a difference. I just want to help. I’m concerned about the whole school system, all the way from the administrators to kids. I just like volunteering.”