Former LISD trustee challenges incumbent
By LISA CARNLEY Staff Writer

Wesley Crow

Though Thursday night's candidate forum was sparsely attended, hopefuls for the Place 6 Lampasas Independent School District trustee seat made the most of their opportunity to share their thoughts with voters.

Wesley Crow, the incumbent, is being challenged by former board member Luther Hensley.

Texas State Teachers Association and Association of Texas Professional Educators co-sponsored the forum. Speech teacher Janet Melton served as moderator.

Candidates were asked a series of questions and given a time for opening and closing statements.

Crow told the audience he has been in Lampasas since 1975, and both he and his wife, Nancy, graduated from Lampasas High School.

He worked for Paul's Electric for eight years until the Crows opened their electrical and HVAC contracting business. They have operated their company for nearly 20 years.

Crow said his family has a strong background in the education field. His father -- Denny Crow, former LISD business manager and superintendent -- was a teacher; his wife teaches in Copperas Cove; his sister is a teacher at Kline Whitis Elementary; he has a step-brother who is a principal, and a sister-inlaw who serves as high school librarian in Lampasas.

Luther Hensley

"All of this experience leads to some pretty good discussions during Christmas and family gatherings. But that's good," said Crow. "It keeps me connected with the challenges they deal with on a daily basis."

Crow resides in the county's east end on a ranch he and his father operate. "I have a full understanding of the pressures and constraints that the current economy has had on the agriculture community."

Hensley and his wife, Beth, a teacher at Kline Whitis Elementary, have three children and are very involved in their activities: football, FFA, 4-H, volleyball, softball, track and livestock showing.

The former board member owns a small electrical business. He lives in Nix and is active in New Covenant Church, FFA and 4-H.

Mrs. Melton then asked questions of both candidates. Their responses follow.

What was your reason to run for school board this term?

Crow: Three years ago I ran for the board because I wasn't happy with the speed or direction the proposed construction process was going, and now after I was involved in getting the bond passed, I want to be involved in the construction phase where the school can benefit from my experience.

I hope to provide input that will help keep costs down and save the district money and provide our community with facilities that are maintenance-free, cost-effective and something our district can be proud of.

Hensley: It is an exciting time for our district. We have a lot of changes fixing to take place, and I want to give my community the voice it needs at this exciting time.

I feel God has led me to run at this time, and He will continue to lead me as we face the challenges of a growing district. I have no ax to grind and no hidden agenda. Now is the time for me to run.

If elected to serve on the school board, what role can you or the board play in developing an improved morale for the district?

Hensley: Money always improves morale. I'd like to give everyone a big raise and a Christmas bonus, but I won't lie to you: That's probably not going to happen.

I think we could boost morale by treating staff and teachers like professionals, and trusting them to do the job they have been hired to do.

I believe a teacher should get the respect a doctor gets, if not more.

Let's tell our staff daily they are doing a good job, just like they tell our children. They need a pat on the back. We need to treat them with the utmost respect.

We also need to open the lines of communication. And it seems every year we give teachers added workload and more programs, and what do we take back?

Crow: School employees are under a tremendous amount of pressure -- some we can't do anything about, like the 4x4 requirements, No Child Left Behind, English as a Second Language and others. The list gets bigger every year. Now, we have added to that on a local level demanding recognized status and the interruptions of all the upcoming construction. This will take a tremendous effort from everyone involved.

It will have to start with communication. That will have to happen from the top to the bottom and the bottom to the top. There seems to have been a disconnect in between that has to be mended.

Our role as a board is to oversee these effects and evaluate whether or not this is happening. I read a plaque recently that said, 'Communication is talking and listening,' and that's important for any organization.

What specific goals do you want to accomplish as a board member?

Crow: Finish the construction on time under budget, become a recognized district and continue to monitor spending. Over the past three years, we have put back close to $3 million into our fund balance that we're going to need when we open a new campus.

I want to provide a safe environment by constructing security fencing at the new middle school and new elementary campuses, and by closing the new high school campus. I want every child who walks across that stage to leave with a sense of confidence that they are prepared for whatever direction they choose.

Hensley: Very simple: unity. Yes, we can agree to disagree, but we need to have a united front. After all, we all have the same goal -- to educate our children. When it comes to our schools, the board, the teachers and the administrators should all be on the same page. No one needs to walk on pins and needles afraid of losing their job if they voice their opinion.

If we don't have unity in our school system, how do we expect to have unity among our students?

We also need stability. My son saw three or four different high school principals during his four years at LHS. Teachers and coaches come and go. Why can't we keep good teachers, coaches and principals? Why can't we make this a place where people want to come to work and stay? Why are they not staying?

How are you different from your opponent, and why should we vote for you?

Hensley: I'm probably no different or no better than Wesley. But I can bring a fresh set of eyes and ears and a new way of thinking. When you have looked at the same situation over and over, sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes to see new opportunities and solutions. I have those fresh eyes, and I am ready to use them to serve this community.

Crow: I have developed a relationship with the construction manager, architect, city officials, TxDOT officials and the school board. I am respected by those people for my experience in construction management, construction budgets and value engineering. I have the knowledge to make sure the district gets every penny's worth out of this construction process.

I was very involved in the bond issue and helped construct a longrange plan through 2020 for our district to handle future growth. I feel sure that I have the confidence and support of the current board to prevent any potential transition period from causing delays or disruptions to the every-day challenges our educators are going to face over the next three years.

Closing remarks:

Crow: Nancy and I decided to make Lampasas our home a long time ago. We were raised in Lampasas and wanted to raise our kids here. We are proud of living in this area, and our kids are proud of living in this area. That is my hope for every child going through this school district. Three years ago I felt we had lost some of this pride.

My goal then was to help spearhead the bond issue so we can have facilities that everyone in our community could be proud of. We've done that, but we are not done. We have to finish what we started.

The next 16 months of construction will not be easy. It will be taxing on everyone, and at the same time, there can be no drop in the quality of education our kids receive. We owe this to our kids and our community.

Hensley: I can tell you that if I am elected, when I vote, I will vote from my heart. It doesn't matter if any of the board agrees with me or not. I'm going to do the right thing, and I can go home and sleep well at night. If I am elected, you're going to get the real deal. I will vote from my heart.