NICK BILLINGTON'S RESPONSE
1. Why/what made you decide to run?
I am running because I feel I can bring a positive impact to the school district. My wife Jenny and I have 5 kids, all 5 will attend school in the fall of 2021. We will have a high schooler all the way down to a child in the ECLC. Our children are involved in Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Softball, E-Sports and various after school arts programs. I help with PTA and booster clubs. I am a huge supporter of FFA and the Vo-Tech. I want to see our student body succeed in all facets of school. I will be there for our students and staff to help them meet their maximum potential. Not only my children but every kid in every school at Kirksville I want them to excel.
2. Is there anything you would like the KHS student body to know?
I want the students and their parents to know I have their best intentions at heart. I want them to know that I have 5 kids. And I expect a lot out of my children. Hard work and effort pays off, sometimes it may not pay off short term, you might see the pay off long term. I want them to know I have each and everyone of their backs. Regardless if they’re in extra curricular activities or they are just a student. I want KHS students to know they should feel proud to be back in school with there friends and teachers while some kids throughout the country are not. I want the students to know how lucky they are to live in a community with such great teachers, coaches and facilities. I want the students to know I will help provide more opportunities for them to succeed.
3. How do you think the school district can best address the ever-increasing expectations surrounding at-risk learners and students with chronic mental health issues?
I think at-risk learners need more direction, not everyone is a great straight A student, and that isn’t always the students fault and isn’t always up to the teachers to curve them into passing. At risk learners could need more direction into classes that best suit their wants, needs, or personalities. Maybe a Vocational trade or program to find their niche. We must explore all options to be their for all students. Not everyone student will attend a 4 year college like Truman, some may find a trade school or go into welding school or nursing school. Some may just want to go straight into work after high-school and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Students with chronic mental health issues- as a district I think we need more support staff to help them succeed get more one on one if possible with the students. We must provide opportunities that allows them to get the most out of school. If I were elected to the board I think we need to look at areas that need improving and attack those with teachers and admins. As a board I want to leave no stone unturned when it comes to providing the safest, strongest and welcoming school district possible.
4. What is your understanding of our district's ESL population, educational issues, and plan to improve those?
I think as a district we need to offer potential classes in the evenings or on weekends. I know that is less than an ideal to do after school hours or on a weekend, but it is very important we address these issues. We could look into partnering with Truman State University into helping providing classes or teachers to teach these classes. Kirksville could offer a language class as a credit like Spanish. As a district we could hire more teachers and staff or translators.
I want to say thank you for the questions and the time it took to make the questions. Thank you for reaching out to me, I greatly appreciate it.