My name is Andrew Roth and I'm running for the Parkston School Board. I grew up in Parkston and graduated in 2014. My parents are Pat and Tina, and I have a younger sister Susan. I joined the SD Air National Guard in the summer after my junior year of high school. I will be in the guard for 12 years this June. I attended South Dakota State University after Basic Training and a 4-month deployment to South Korea. I graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science with minors in Ag Business, Ag Marketing, Precision Ag, and Animal Science. I also got my Private Pilot License as an elective. I married my wife Nicole in 2018. She was the Ag Teacher in Winner for 4 years before we moved back to Parkston. She is currently the assistant FFA advisor and owner of Nicole's Needlework on Main Street. I have worked as an agronomist for Advantage Ag, a truck driver for Rosebud Concrete, and currently farm west of Parkston. I'm involved in several groups. I serve as an officer of the Parkston Knights of Columbus.
Nicole and I teach 7th-grade Religious Education at Sacred Heart. We also are a teaching couple with Catholic Engaged Encounter helping prepare engaged couples for married life. In the school, I'm a volunteer coach for FFA and drive school bus.
Questions of Interest:
1. Why are you running for the Parkston Board of Education?
I'm running for the Parkston School Board because I want to be a part of the body that sets the direction the school is going. I believe the school is one of the most important organizations in the community and is key to the continued prosperity of the Parkston area. Excellent education of our youth is an obligation we have to them. I want to make a direct contribution to ensuring that our youth are equipped for life after graduation.
2. If elected, what will be your priorities for the district?
I will prioritize academic education along with intracurricular activities. The way I want to do this is not only by ensuring the necessary funding but also by promoting education and programs that offer lifelong skills. Teachers and staff are key to the student’s success. Retaining quality staff is important. I want to make sure they have every reason to want to stay in the district. Two reasons to compel staff to stay include the work environment and compensation. I will always stand with the staff and support what they need to provide excellent education. I recognize the duty of a board member to ensure quality education but also a duty to the taxpayers of the district. As a farmer, I'm very in tune with using resources, especially money, wisely and thriftily
3. Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?
No. On the Parkston School Board, I will bring all my experiences and knowledge to keep propelling our school to provide the best education we can. I look forward to the opportunity to serve
4. What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?
I believe my experiences and current stage of life will serve me well on the school board. The different positions I have had have given me experience in working with many kinds of people. My time in the guard has built my leadership skills. The most important leadership skill I have learned is that taking care of people comes first. If what concerns your people is addressed, great achievements can be made. My stage in life, being younger and having no children, will add another diversified view to the board. I believe a variety of views brings out the best ideas
5. In what Parkton School District or community activities/organizations have you been involved?
See Bio Information.
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