In the interest of providing voters with an opportunity to learn more about their candidates for local offices, The San Saba News & Star recently mailed a questionnaire to all candidates in the San Saba School Board and the Richland Springs School Board races. San Saba & Richland Springs Council races are not being held since there are no contested seats.

All candidates were asked the following questions.

1) Please tell us a little about yourself and your background.

2) What qualifications do you feel you would bring to this office?

3) What do you see as the main issues or problems facing your school district at this time?

San Saba ISD

1. I am Angela Johnson, a Christian, wife of 16 years to Robby Johnson, mother of Braiden 11 and Brytin 7, friend, landowner and business woman of 10 years. My upbringing in the small community of Doss, TX taught me the morals and values I hold dear, the dedication, perseverance, and the rewards of hard work. There my family owned and operated the general store which also housed the US Post office. Later I attended a 4A school in Willis, TX where I was involved in many activities. I received my associate’s degree from Ranger College in 2004 to further my career.

2. With 3 years experience, I have made it a priority to attend all meetings and trainings and have exceeded the necessary hours of continuing education. I know the importance of making conservative financial decisions and the understanding of state mandates within our local budget. I am committed to the upbringing of our children and serve as a leader in the AWANA’S program at church. I am approachable and offer a listening ear with the ability to bring others’ opinion and concerns to the table. I am open to compromise yet stand firm in my beliefs. I take serious the responsibility a leader has to their community.

3. San Saba is stuck in the middle of needing our fare share from the state (which is based on 2005 funding) and the compromise of funding from the local level. The flaws in our State’s finance system and mandated programs without funding make keeping up with growth, technology, and retaining qualified teachers very challenging. I’ve been told "It was good enough for me when I went to school", but I once heard someone say "We must plan for our CHILDREN’S FUTURE, not OUR PAST. " Only together can we prepare our children for the future.

Susie Nettleship

1. My name is Susie Nettleship. I am a 41 year old married mother of two daughters, Allison and Madeleine. I grew up in Goldthwaite and graduated from there in 1987. From there I went onto Mary-Hardin Baylor and graduated from there with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN). After graduation, I worked at Scott and White in Temple and then at Austin Diagnostic clinic in the Chemotherapy department and then Texas Oncology in Austin.

In 1995, I married Clay Nettleship of San Saba. Later the same year, we moved to San Saba where he started his law practice. In 2004 through 2006 I was the school nurse. In 2006, I started Sisters’ Country Store. I was elected to serve as Trustee of San Saba ISD in 2007. I am a member of Pierian Study Club, DRT, DAR and First Baptist Church.

2. I believe that I have a wide range of experiences that have given me a unique perspective for serving as a Trustee. As a mother, I understand and share the concerns that all parents do in how the School District’s students are educated. As a former School District employee, I understand the challenges that the administration and teachers face in trying to balance many competing demands. As a business owner, I share the concerns of all taxpayers in making sure that we use the tax dollars wisely and efficiently.

3. I think the biggest challenge for the board is to use the taxpayers’ money in an efficient manner while still providing the best possible education for the students of San Saba. There are so many competing demands for every dollar. Allocating those resources and doing so in a way that earns the faith and confidence of District’s taxpayer.

Kevin Shahan

My name is Kevin Shahan. I am a native of San Saba, and after graduating from San Saba High School, attended The University of Texas at Austin, where I obtained both a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master in Professional Accounting degree. I am a Certified Public Accountant with my own practice located in San Saba, Texas, which currently provides a variety of accounting, tax, audit, and financial services to businesses and individuals throughout Texas and surrounding states. I am a member in good standing of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA).

I am married to my wonderful wife, Monica, also of San Saba, and have three children, Risien, Madison, and Gracen. I am actively involved in the First United Methodist Church, including participation in the worship team and celebration choir. Active involvement in the local community is also very important to me through civic groups such as Rotary International, the City of San Saba Planning and Zoning Board, Tiger Cub Scouts, and San Saba Youth Baseball. The qualifications that I bring to the office include being a Certified Public Accountant with a background in audits of governmental and private entities, a willingness to serve my community in an effort to provide for a more effective and efficient public school system at SSISD for our children and their future, and a very good working relationship with all of the leaders of our local community. I always strive to consistently perform my duties with integrity and honesty, while remaining dedicated and enthusiastic in carrying out my professional responsibilities. The main issues facing the SSISD board at the current time appear to be in the area of school finance and funding. Using our current resources wisely will be of utmost importance in order to be certain that our students have the necessary tools and resources to receive an excellent education. Other issues facing the SSISD board at the current time include capital asset management, personnel management, and ensuring that all of our students not only pass the annual TAKS test, but also possess the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful upon their graduation from SSISD.

Richland Springs ISD

1. I graduated from Richland Springs High School in 1971. I am married to Gerald McKee who farmed and ranched in this part of the county for many years and now teaches Ag. Science at Richland Springs. We have two daughters who graduated from Richland Springs High School. Deana is a 1992 graduate of RSHS and a 1996 graduate of Texas A & M University with a degree in Ag. Engineering. She and her husband Jacody Sealy operate a cattle ranching operation and an engineering firm. They live at Fort McKavett, Texas. They have four children: Jakayly, Jaden, Jaston and Jacey. Our other daughter Amanda graduated from RSHS in 1995. She and her husband Weldon Ransbarger live at Cypress, Texas. Weldon is an engineer for Conoco-Phillips in Houston. They have triplets who are now four years old. They are Troy, Brittany and Madalyn. I am the rural mail carrier in Richland Springs.

2. I have served on the Board at Richland Springs for the past three years. I have an abiding love and appreciation for this school and want to see it continue to survive and prosper. I would like to continue to serve on the Board and do my best to make this school the best it can be. I would like to thank you for your support.

3. The main issues and problems facing the Board at this time are the same problems facing many rural school districts in this part of the state. Populations continue to decline and enrollment is a problem for us. Along with that of course is funding for school operations. State and Federal funding rules are constantly changing and we must prioritize spending in order to survive. We want to provide programs to meet the needs of all students.

Rennie Mann - No Response