My name is Gibbs Kinderman. I am running for Board of Education in Monroe County.

My wife Cheryl and I moved to Willow Bend when I retired four years ago and have been gardening, walking, and making friends in our new community, Monroe County. I still have energy and heart to serve, and some time on my hands – and I love kids. I spent most of my adult life in public and non-profit service in Pocahontas County.

I’d like to use my energy and my time to give back to the community which has so warmly welcomed us, and to the schools which are helping raise and educate Lydia and Dillon Jackson, two of our twelve grandchildren. They attend Mountain View; their Mom, Jeni teaches at Science at Eastern Greenbrier Middle, and their Dad Travis works at UTC.

I believe that the Monroe County school system overall does a good job of educating our kids. There are some great teachers and employees along with smart, talented students and concerned and caring parents.

WHY I’M RUNNING

1. I would like to be a support for teachers who are passionate about what they do – and to help support great teachers doing great things within the system.
2. I want my grandchildren, Lydia and Dillon, and their peers to have the best possible experience as they move through school.
3. I want to help develop a positive relationship between the schools and the community – a freer two-way flow of information.
4. It would be fun to fully explore the potential of a school-based community radio station as a communications hub, using the school-owned WHFI 106.7 radio station to provide informational programs about what is happening in the schools and to get questions from the public answered.
5. I enjoy working with school budgets to help them stretch as far as possible and work with others to help every question about our school finances to be explored and answered.
6. I’m excited for something positive to sink my teeth into – working together with the school system and the community for positive action.
7. As a board member, I would be glad to help advocate for Monroe County in the debates about education policy on a state level.
8. I’d like to be part of building a rural school system that could be a model for other places in West Virginia.
9. I promise to work to develop a Board that works for the people who elected it, serves as an independent link between school and community, sets its own agenda, focuses on policy, and avoids meddling in the day-to-day running of our schools.
10. It could be a lot of fun!

What qualifies me to serve you in this important position?

1. I have 50 years experience in non-profit management. I know how to read financial statements, run a business, have experience in monitoring expenditures, and know what questions to ask. I understand grants and am an experienced grantwriter, and I know how important accountability is in overseeing state, federal, and local dollars.
2. I served for 14 years as a member of the Pocahontas County Board of Education when my daughters were growing up.
3. I have worked with several partners on state and national levels. I have friends and contacts from the local level through Charleston to Washington. I can be effective in helping connect Monroe County Schools to state and national contacts where it is helpful.
4. My education includes a BA in American Government and a Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis on policy analysis. I love learning, reading, civics, and public service.
5. I have extensive experience in radio, news reporting and public relations through founding and running a network of community radio stations in the Allegheny Highlands. I stand ready to help the schools improve their communication link with the voting public.

My two Monroe grandkids (of a total of 12) are now in Kindergarten and Third Grade at Mountain View. I want to do my best to help make sure all kids of the county have the best education possible - that's my main motivation for asking for your vote.

If you have any questions or suggestions for me, you can call 304-667-2334 or e-mail gibbskinderman4edcuation@gmail.com . You’re also invited to check out the Facebook page: Gibbs Kinderman for Monroe County Board of Education; you can Personal Message me there.

"I'm Running For the Kids!"