December 27, 2006

When neighboring school systems can barely get one candidate to file for a seat, I think it speaks well for our district that we have four candidates. Many of you will remember me from the 2003 board race with Dr. Danny Barnes. Dr. Barnes was the successful winner in the election but we both were surprised that over 1300patrons voted in the election. The electionwasconducted in a gentlemenly manner and both of us came out of it with a respect for each other as well as a friendly relationship. I am in no way trying to imply a secret endorsement by Dr. Barnes, rather I mention this to make animportant point: one man on an island is not going to be able accomplish anything. The person we elect to the board seat must be able to enter the position with the ability to work with the existing board members. To that end, I have spoken with each board member individually, extended a hand of friendship to them and pledged my willingness to work with each one of them for absolute best interest of our students.

The popular issue that each candidate has mentioned is the growth of our district. It was a big issue in the 2003 race and still is today. I was honored to have been ask the serve as Chairman of the 2006 $35,000,0000 Bond Issue Committee. In the past 15 years, we had ask the voters for a total indebtedness of $32,000,000 and now we are asking for $35,000,000 in just one election. Failure would have been catastrophic and was not an option. I was able to work with some of the true hero's of the district during this effort, Janet Harlan and her band of PTO volunteers, Dr. Jeff Reames and the Foundation to name a very few.. Many of you received flyers on your door the Saturday prior to the Tuesday election. My daughter was a senior and like many other National Honor Students needed community service hours. I contacted the NHS sponsor and she had those needing the hours sign up to work that Saturday. Expecting 12-13 students, we had over 46 students show up! Between the three adult sponsors, Cary Blanchard, Mindi Blanchard and myself, we were able to organize them into groups and hit every neighborhood with these informational flyers. As a result of all the effort put in by all the parties involved, the bond issue passed with a resounding 89% approval!. This was a giant step in preparation of the projected growth in our district. The District is now assured the money to expand our infrastructure, build schools, remodel schools, hire teachers, and enhance curriculum. Good stewardship, vision and sound judgment over taxpayer dollars are our primary responsibility's now.

Certainly there is and will continue to be important issues ahead for our school board. Additional schools mean redistricting, growth brings a increasingly diverse student population, additional personnel will need to be hired, etc. School administrators will tell you that the most intense issues to come before the board in the near future will be concerning the High School. We need sensible leadership in this board seat. Having been through each school in the system with my oldest daughter, I have been exposed to these issues and understand them. The new member must be able to to approach the position with total objectivity and no bias. If just a mere hint of favoritism is detected, it creates hostility and fosters distrust for the system. It is a distraction that eventually bleeds down to the students and does nothing to advance the academic excellence of our schools.

Prior to my retirement as a Second Lieutenant from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, I was responsible for budgeting and strategic planning for the western part of the state. I would at times submit 4 to 5 budgets, each one lower that the other, before it was approved. Let me just tell you that no one knows how to budget taxpayer dollars more than me. In this position, I worked closely with the legislature attempting to obtain better salary's, better equipment, more manpower, etc for the Department of Public Safety. Term limits have replaced most of the legislatures that I worked closely with. However, the secretary's are still around and everyone knows the gatekeeper is who you want to be best friends with.

My MBA courses at the University of Oklahoma have taught me to look at things from a different perspective. it is a much more "process" oriented viewpoint. I hope to graduate some time but the personal growth (the be all you can be feeling) from the curriculum is what has kept me motivated.

If elected as the new board member, l very strongly believe that one must look at each question and make that decision based on solid, sensible judgment and then have the courage to stand by it. My slogan for this campaign is how I sincerely feel.... "every decision must fall on the side of the child". Pride and ego cannot be elements of the decision making process. Without exception, everything we do, every decision we make, the end user must be the benefactor. The decision must fall on the side of the child.

Thank You for reading my statement and with it, I respectfully ask for your vote on February 13th, 2007.

Family

• Married to Kelly McPhail for 20 years
• Two children, Alesa, 18, who graduated cum laude last year from Deer Creek High School and is now a Sophomore at Oklahoma State University.
• McKenna, 4, a proud student of Gina Cooke's Pre-K class at Rose Union

Goals:

• My immediate goal for the district are teacher raises to match those of surrounding school districts. We've got to find room in the budget to attract the very best.
• Bring a strong, adhesive attitude to our school board.
• I am a strong advocate of IEP's (Individualized Educational Programs) I believe these work great for students on both sides of the spectrum, from advanced placement students to remedial students.
• I despise portable buildings.
• Our Athletic Programs need continued support. Our growth has probably hurt us the most here, from 4A to 5A and 6A before we want. We must see that our athletes have the instruction, facilities and environment to succeed.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration, Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Continued course work towards a Master Of Business Administration, University of Oklahoma

Work History

• Owner of a very successful Insurance/Financial Services Agency with Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
• Holder of many industry designations and have been named to numerous who's who lists.
• Served with distinction as a member of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol until retirement.

Past/Present Deer Creek School District involvement

• Chairman - 2006 $35,000,000 Bond Election committee
• Member of the Superintendent Selection Committee
• Past Trustee of the Deer Creek Enrichment Foundation
• Major Contributor, Deer Creek Enrichment Foundation Golf Tournament
• Volunteer Game Official for Middle School Basketball games
• Contributor/Founding member of the Deer Creek "Antler Pride" (Gordon Thomas gets credit as the main organizer)
• Table Sponsor/Contributor to Deer Creek Elementary Auction
• Volunteer/Contributor Prairie Vale Elementary Auction
• Chairman, High School Softball Coach Selection Committee
• Table Sponsor/Contributor to Deer Creek Elementary Auction that also benefited Rose Union
• President, Deer Creek High School Softball Booster Club
• Public Address Announcer for Deer Creek High School Softball Program
• Public Address Announcer for Deer Creek High School Basketball Programs
• Junior Class Prom Sponsor
• Member, 2003 Bond Election Committee
• Sponsor Deer Creek Cheerleader Squad
• Continued sponsorship of the Deer Creek Softball Program
• Sponsor of the Deer Creek Band
• Sponsor/Advisor, Deer Creek High School Stock Market Game (team placed third in the state)
• Annual Deer Creek High School Yearbook sponsor