Race includes 3 incumbents, one challenger
Voters in the Hampton School District will decide Nov. 5 between four candidates for three open seats on the board of education. The candidates competing for four-year seats on the board include incumbents Megan Faller, Derek Klute and Tamara Wiens. They are joined by newcomer Mitchell Fagan.
The News-Register recently sent each of the candidates a questionnaire seeking biographical information as well as the candidates’ thoughts on issues facing the school district and their plans for service, if elected or re-elected. Following are their responses presented in alphabetical order:
Mitchell Fagan
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up four miles north of Hampton on our family farm and reside a quarter mile east of where I grew up where I live with my wife Faith. Hampton Public Schools is where I did 12 years of school, but I graduated in 2013 from High Plains Community. I went on to graduate with a bachelors degree in Mechanized Systems Management from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln in 2017, and after graduating moved home to farm with my parents, Marvin and Teresa Fagan, as well as my brother, Corbin Fagan and his family. We have deep roots inside of Hamilton County, and with Hampton Public Schools with not only my seven brothers and sisters graduating there, but my dad as well.
2. Why are you running for this office?
I decided to run for the school board to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family. It is important as a Nebraska resident and a United States citizen to be involved in our small communities, because that is where the actual business gets done so to speak. I am a proud person that appreciates the environment I grew up in, and want to make sure my children and the children of this country get the same opportunities that I did.
3. What personal strengths and talents do you bring to the position?
My youth and optimistic outlook on our state are some of my strengths I can bring to this board. I do believe school boards across the country need a wide spectrum of thoughts and ideas to give our schools the direction they need to be successful. I have served on the Hamilton County Corn Board for about six years now, and that has provided a lot of knowledge on how these organizations run, and how to walk through the decisions that need to be made.
4. What, in your view, are the top three issues facing the school district?
I think the main issue right now that the school board has been dealing with since before I even graduated is the amount of kids that are at these small town schools, and the property tax issue that goes along with that. It seems to get harder and harder each year to keep the numbers up all around the state with our small schools. Going along with that issue are these school bonds that have been approved and navigating through them within the general public.
5. What goals do you hope to accomplish while serving on the board?
My main goal in being elected to the school board is to learn every detail on how the school system works, and to hopefully have my voice heard on key issues, as well as the voice of our school district.
Megan Faller
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
My maiden name is Megan Penner, I grew up in Hampton. I attended Hampton Elementary, Junior High and High School, graduating in 2008. I then attended Wayne State College and received my Bachelors in Criminal Justice. After graduating from Wayne State, I moved back to Hampton, and worked for the York County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer in the County Jail. I worked there for six years and then, due to a growing family, I changed careers to work as an insurance agent for Cornerstone Insurance Group. I have been working for Cornerstone for six years, and am currently the agency trainer, marketing coordinator, and a licensed agent. I am married to Nick Faller, and we have three boys who all attend Hampton Public School. Liam is in 2nd grade, Brysen is in Kindergarten, and Hayes attends Toddler group on Friday mornings. We currently reside in Hampton, with my Husband serving on the town board and he is on the volunteer fire department.
2. Why are you running for this office?
When you’re younger and attending school, you don’t realize how much goes into keeping a school running, and the challenges that a school board can face. My mom was on the school board when I was in school, and talked about how much she enjoyed it. After buying a house in Hampton, I wanted to be involved in the school and community more, so four years ago I decided to run for Hampton School Board. I have enjoyed serving on the school board the past four years, and wanted to run again so I could continue to help make Hampton the wonderful school it has come to be.
3. What personal strengths and talents do you bring to the position?
Having grown up and attended Hampton from kindergarten to graduating high school, Hampton has always been home to me. I have seen the school grow and improve over the last 16 years since graduating, and want to continue to see that happen. I am open-minded to ways to improve the school, but also want what is best for the kids and staff.
4. What, in your view, are the top three issues facing the school district?
I can’t really think of three issues facing the school district. One I can think of is lower participation numbers in sports. The athletes and coaches do the absolute best they can with the numbers they have. I would love to see numbers improve for both the boys and girls, and the kids to get the best sports experience they can. With lower numbers you may not be able to get the best practice due to not being able to scrimmage. We have amazing coaches in Hampton, who love what they do and have a strong passion for the sport they coach. I would love for that passion and drive to carry on to the kids, and see more students go out for the sport due to this alone.
A second issue seems to be one that everyone is having these days, and that is finding employees. When a staff member retires or moves on to a different job, it can be difficult to find a new teacher or staff member. Hampton has a wonderful facility, and the staff we currently have is absolutely amazing. You can see how well they get along with each other, and how much they care for the students, which is why anyone would be lucky to work there.
5. What goals do you hope to accomplish while serving on the board?
I hope to keep Hampton Public School the school it has become today. It has improved a lot over the years, with the new gym and additions/renovations made to the school, and you can see the pride the staff has in working there. I also love seeing how the staff cares for the kids, and are always there for them when they need it.
Having an amazing staff is one the most important parts in having a successful school. I hope to continue to have that in the years to come, and find staff that cares for the kids as their own. My kids love going to school, and look forward to it everyday. That says a lot, not only about the staff, but the school in general. This is something that I want all kids to feel. I want kids to feel safe coming to school, and enjoy being there, knowing that the staff and other students care about them.
Hampton has started a program this year called Hawk Families. It gets kids of all ages together (K-12), to bond and compete in competitions. Doing this has shown how Hampton wants their students and staff to all feel accepted and like a big family. That is one major thing I would love to see continue in Hampton.