Six battle for four seats on East Coloma School Board
ROCK FALLS – Providing up-to-date technology, extracurricular activities and the best possible education for students are some of the concerns of the East Coloma School Board candidates.
Candidates for the four 4-year volunteer positions are Neal Folgers, Kim Nailor, Charles “Rick” Rockwell, Bill Seidel, Jerry Stanley and Daniel Yanes.
Folgers, Seidel and Yanes are first-term incumbents; Stanley is a past Rock Falls High School board member, and Rockwell lost a bid for the East Coloma board 2 years ago.
Neal Folgers
“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Folgers said. “I want to keep the school moving forward.”
In the last 4 years, the school has updated its technology and hired a technical support employee.
As space becomes more of an issue, the district will have to consider building an addition to expand the library or computer lab and keep class sizes small.
“As time marches on, [information technology] becomes more and more important,” Folgers said. “The computer lab has become a really big thing for this school.”
Kim Nailor
Nailor is a newcomer to school board elections, but her husband, Brad, was on the East Coloma board for 4 years.
She is a room parent and cheerleading coach.
“After doing all that, I thought I’d like to take it to the next level and challenge myself to a new experience,” Nailor said.
She thinks the school is doing well, and likes the small-school setting, where students can have a lot of one-on-one instruction.
“I’ve been involved in that school for so many years, that I have a great interest in it,” she said.
Nailor supports the 1 percent sales tax for school infrastructure. “I think it could be a good thing if it’s used correctly.”
Charles “Rick” Rockwell
This is Rockwell’s second run for the board; he lost the election 2 years ago.
During that time, his priorities haven’t changed.
“I want to make sure all students at East Coloma School have access to a quality education and extracurricular activities,” said Rockwell, who would like the school to have a band.
“I had the opportunity when I was in middle school and high school to be in band,” Rockwell said. “I played football and baseball, but some of my fondest memories were going to band functions such as parades and concerts. I wish kids had an opportunity to do that.”
Rockwell also has been involved with the school’s community club.
“I try to take the time to talk with parents and students of the school and see what issues are important to them,” he said.
Bill Seidel
Seidel wants to continue to oversee the changes that have occurred the last 4 years.
“We have come a long way in technology ...,” Seidel said. “I just want to keep the process going and have a better environment for our children.”
He wants the school to continue to upgrade technology and “give kids the highest education we could provide.”
The biggest issue for Seidel is getting the state to make its payments on time.
Seidel supports the 1 percent sales tax, money from which could be used for expansion. “Our school is starting to bulge at the seams,” he said.
Jerry Stanley
Stanley is a retired teacher, a former dean of students and a former Rock Falls High School board member who wants to stay active in the community.
“I have a lot of time and experience,” Stanley said. “I think I could contribute with my experience in administration, teaching, and board experience.”
He has lived in the district for 40 years and all of his children attended East Coloma.
“If you know anything about education, the state has always been way behind,” Stanley said. “[Education] has never been fully funded. When it comes to programs, we have to be frugal.”
“I think I have knowledge to be effective,” Stanley said.
Daniel Yanes
Yanes also has more to accomplish, he said.
“I feel like we have a lot of unfinished business that we’ve left on the table, as far as technology, and just improving the building in general,” he said. “I don’t think you can get that done in 4 years.”
Even with the computer improvements, technology in the school “is extremely weak,” Yanes said.
He would like to see an online system similar to Rock Falls High School’s, where teachers can post grades and communicate with parents.
Yanes thinks he’s the best candidate because of his experience.
“I’m familiar with the budget, familiar with the superintendent, familiar with the staff,” he said. “I’m familiar with all the problems we’ve had and all the successes we’ve had.”
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Neal Folgers
Age: 43
Employment: Promega Corporation in Madison, Wis., in the information technology department.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., and master’s in business administration from University of Phoenix.
Family: He and his wife Elizabeth have a daughter Morgan, 12, a daughter Ashtyn, 10, a daughter Kierstyn, 7, and a son Benjamin, 5.
Kim Nailor
Age: 36
Employment: A hair stylist at Extreme Hair and Day Spa in Sterling.
Education: 1990 Rock Falls High School graduate, and a cosmetology license from the Educators of Beauty.
Family: She and her husband Brad have a daughter Raechelle, 21, a son Rian, 19, a daughter Addesyn, 13, a daughter Sydnie, 10, and a son Cade, 8.
Charles “Rick” Rockwell
Age: 36
Employment: An engineering technician for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Education: An associate degree from Morrison Institute of Technology, in mechanical design.
Family: He and his wife Laura have two daughters, Hannah, 9, and Riley, 3.
Bill Seidel
Age: 53
Employment: Owner of Bill Seidel and Sons Construction.
Education: Attended Sauk Valley Community College.
Family: He and his wife Donna have four children, Stephanie, 34, Stacie, 31, Andy, 21, Jacob 12 and four grandchildren.
Jerry Stanley
Age: 69
Employment: Retired educator. Taught at Newman Central Catholic High School for 4 years, and Rock Falls Middle school for 22 years.
Education: A bachelor’s degree from Pestalozzi-Froebel Teachers College in Chicago.
Family: He and his wife Pat have four grown children and 11 grandchildren.
Daniel Yanes
Age: 31
Employment: An intern at the Loop Barbershop in Rock Falls.
Education: A 1996 Rock Falls High School graduate. Attending Illinois Quad City Barber & Hairstyling College in Moline. He is scheduled to obtain his barber license this summer.
Family: He and his wife Tara have a daughter Jorie, 14, a daughter Payton, 8, and a son Jace, 3.
