Voters within North Hopkins ISD will be asked to select up to three of the seven candidates on their Nov. 5 ballots to serve on North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees.
KSST asked each of the candidates to provide a photo and answer the same questions about themselves to share with the voters. Below are their answers, in their own words, in the order in which they were received by KSST.
Name: Sherry Smiddy
Occupation, brief job description:
For six years, I worked for Lakes Regional Mental Health Center where I had many community contacts and worked in Psychosocial Rehabilitation, treatment planning for clients and handled the crisis hotline. I was also a Marketing Specialist for a Mental Health Center in Dallas, TX for two years. Since then, I have worked in social research for over 30 years. I’ve worked for the University of Michigan managed employees across the nation, hired and trained them while conducting social research. These studies for the government included finance, evaluation of educational technology interventions, health, children’s behaviors in schools and youth educational studies. For the last 10 years, I have worked for the University of Chicago as a Manager as a Senior Field Manager of both people and projects. My job entails recruitment, managing and training employees and conducting research studies. The studies with which I am involved, relate to finance, health and national behavioral studies on children and their environments. I have also been part of the development training team that produced courses for employees.
Family information:
I have been married to Powell Vickery for 22 years and reside in the district. I currently have nieces, nephews and grand-children attending North Hopkins School and would be honored to be an even more integral part in shaping their education.
Reasons for seeking this office:
I feel this is an opportunity to be a part of the decisions that are in the best interest for the community to include the children, educators and those living in our district. I am a graduate of North Hopkins High School and have several relatives that taught in the school system for years. I have lived in and been a part of the community nearly all of my life.
Education, training, special skills:
North Hopkins Graduate, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification, School Board Trainings for three years, ongoing School affiliated trainings for research for 30 years with CEU credits.
A brief statement about your candidacy — what you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy:
Involvement and support of the education system and community activities are important to me and my family. I was the secretary for the North Hopkins Alumni for six years and served on the Tira City Council for five years. I am also the Children’s Team Leader at Cross Spur Cowboy Church. These assignments confirm the fact that I am very interested in the youth of our community. I would very much like to be your next School Board Trustee to help make decisions which affect our entire community.
Name: Charles (Charlie) Vaughn
Occupation, brief job description:
Retired Firefighter
Part time Texas Parks & Wildlife maintenance assistant
Family information:
Married to Susan Vaughn for 41 years, Father to Amie Davidson and Jana Rich, Grumpy to Rachel and Dallas Davidson and (Landon) Hunter Rich; Enjoys fishing and camping.
How long you’ve lived in the district:
62 years
Education, training, special skills:
Some college, school board trainings
Reasons for seeking this office:
To continue to better our schools
Work to be good steward of the taxpayers’ money
A brief statement about your candidacy – what you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy:
I will work hard to keep your students safe and they have the best teachers and admin. I will listen to your concerns and hope that we can work out any issues as quickly as possible. I feel the job of a board member is an important one and try my best not to miss meetings. Thank you for your time and I would appreciate your vote.
Name: My name is Robert McPherson. I am a candidate for the North Hopkins school board.
Occupation, brief job description:
I have been retired 4 years. I worked for Dairy Farmers of America on Main St. in Sulphur Springs for 41 years.
Family information; how long you’ve lived in the district:
I have been married 39 years to my wife Cindy. We have been living in the North Hopkins school district for 37 of those years where we have raised 3 daughters and 2 sons. They in turn have raised or are raising my 9 grandchildren and one great grandchild. We attend Posey Baptist Church where I try to do any thing I can that the Lord asks of me.
Education, training, special skills:
I am at this time serving on the school board running for election. I have served on the board since 2007. I have had basic training that every new school board member must have from Local District Orientation to Open Meetings Trainings to Orientation to the Texas Education Code. Plus, the board needs updates and retrainings on these and other items every year. I have tried to keep up on the training. The school board has three key jobs; adopt policies; hire and evaluate the superintendent and approve and annual budget. To keep up on these we need to have regular training. We also require updates from the state. I have tried to stay current with my training and keep up with all updates. I believe that all of this will serve me well as a board member and help me fulfill my duties if elected.
Reasons for seeking this office; a brief statement about your candidacy – what you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy:
I wish to continue helping North Hopkins as they grow. I believe that I have done a good job over the years and can continue to do so. No just my self but the board as a whole have tried to hire the right people to do the right things for our school. I believe that we have the right people in place and that if we give them the right help North Hopkins will continue to grow and do wonderful things for our students. I want to be there to help.
Name: D. Ellis Dicus
Occupation, brief job description:
Retired from USDA – Farm Services Agency
Currently Farmer/Rancher
Family information:
Married – wife Debbie Dicus
How long you’ve lived in the district:
25 years
Education, training, special skills:
BA from Eastern New Mexico Univ.
major – Bus. Admin. And Agriculture Econ.
Reasons for seeking this office:
To provide support, encouragement, accountability and positive vision to the NH School district.
A brief statement about your candidacy – what you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy:
I stand for strong Christian Values and conservative principles.
Name: I am School board trustee candidate Justin Holland.
Family information:
My wife of 18 years, Jennifer Holland, and I, have 2 sons currently attending North Hopkins ISD, a 16-year-old in 11th grade and a 14-year-old in 9th grade.
How long have your lived in the district:
We have resided in our community since 2006.
Occupation, brief job description:
I am currently employed as a Business Development Executive for IWS Acquisition Corporation managing accounts in 9 states.
Reasons for seeking this office:
Education is very important to me. I am running for school board because I believe every child in North Hopkins Isd deserves an education that makes the whole community proud. Schools are places of hope and optimism. Public schools are where our future leaders, innovators, scientists, writers, artists and workforce are able to gain the necessary skills and tools they need ensure their own – and our society’s – success, and drive critical progress.
A brief statement about your candidacy – what you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy:
My targets for the school district as a trustee are to:
Ensure there are educational opportunities for the students.
Proper training for the teachers.
Creating better parent/teacher experiences.
Establish better communication from the school district to the parents and community.
Remain current on all existing and new curriculum developments for possible implementation for our student’s educational needs.
My focus for the community is to ensure that all of your tax dollars are spent appropriately to ensure proper education for the students and to equip them to be successful thru-out life.
I feel that I am the right candidate for this position because I have no other agenda, except for the advancement of the school district as a whole and the overall improvement of the student body.
Name: Vicki Ferrell
Occupation, brief job description:
First Convenience Bank – Senior Regional Support Manager, SVP
I oversee the operations and compliance of the Dallas region of 40 banking centers, one of which is located in Sulphur Springs. I also coordinate the correspondent bank and armored services for the entire bank of 320 branches. In Nov, I will celebrate my 20th anniversary working for the bank.
Family information:
Husband: Jackey Ferrell married 33 years
Children: Kortni Ferrell 16, currently a Junior – Kaden Ferrell 15, currently a Sophomore
How long have your lived in the district:
I graduated from North Hopkins and we built our current home in 2005 to move back to the North Hopkins district.
Reason for seeking office:
After seeing the positive difference Dr. Jolly instilled upon arriving at North Hopkins, I was motivated to run for the school board three years ago. I could see a vast difference and I wanted to join forces and help our district continue that forward progress. Over the last three years of serving on the school board, the school district has made many great improvements. Given those achievements, there are still future successes to be accomplished.
Statement about candidacy:
The school district has made countless improvements over the past three years. Having top quality teachers and staff in viable positions and allowing them to be successful has our test ratings increasing dramatically. I am committed to helping our students by ensuring our school is innovated, focused and prepared. I have over twenty-four years of business experience in banking that I draw from to assist in my decision making, direction and effort that I give as a board member. I am confident in my decisions and willing to stand up for the things I believe in even if they are not always the most popular choice.
Name: Andy Kendall
Occupation, brief job description:
Business Owner
Family information:
Husband/Dad of 3
How long you’ve lived in the district:
22 years
Education, training, special skills:
Only 2 college credits
Reasons for seeking this office:
To Be a Voice.
