By Joy Addington
joy@newsroom.byu.edu
School Board primary polls closed Tuesday, June 27, at 8 p.m. for the Alpine School District elections. For primary election winners, the results only mark the beginning.
Candidates Kelvin C. Clayton and Andrea L. Forsyth from Alpine District 1; Jim Evans and Bruce L. Armstrong from Alpine District 2; Guy L. Fugal and Roger Olson from Alpine District 3, will vie for three open school board spots.
Parent involvement is a major focus of the candidates. With 43 years of education experience Clayton said he feels that with the help of parents he is the 'link to quality education.'
'Students don't learn until parents are involved,' Clayton said.
He said he recognizes diverse learning styles and promotes reading, writing, arithmetic and computer skills.
Clayton supports a mastery of curriculum to prepare students for a future of a changing work environment.
Forsyth has served on the Alpine School Board for the past four years, including various PTA and local committees.
Forsyth is a 1999 honorary graduate of Orem High School, the mother of five and grandmother of 14.
As a strong advocate of reading, she said she believes it truly is the basis for every aspect of life.
Forsyth sees children as the most valuable resource for the future.
'I have a handle on what school boards do, what they need to do and will work to be even more effective in the next four years,' Forsyth said.
Armstrong, legislative vice president of Lindon elementary PTA and member of the Oak Canyon Junior High Advisory Council, said he believes in excellence in education.
'It will take a change in the organization and will require that we empower the schools and the parents,' Armstrong said.
Known as the 'token male' on the Timpanogos High PTSA, Evans has also been involved in the Orem City Council, Workforce Services Board and United Way Executive Board.
Evans said he hopes to open the lines of communication between board, parents and teachers.
'I understand the importance of this election and will make sure that I am responsive to people in the district. I am here to serve them,' Evans said.
Fugal, a member of the Alpine school board for the past two terms, will continue to push for legislation for funding.
Fugal said he feels the school board must work as a team to be successful. He said they must work together to make policy and guide the administration in the direction of the public.
'I am going to get out and take my views to the patrons and hopefully we will be successful in November,' Fugal said.
Roger Olson teaches at the David O. McKay School of Education. He said even though he has strong feelings about education, he feels it is his duty to serve and do the will of the people.
Olson said he wants to stress the need to provide good education for all children by attracting the best teachers. 'I want the best we can get,' Olson said. 'We need to be concerned about the teachers and make their jobs pleasant so they will work well with the kids.'