(First in a two-part series)
    In addition to a proposed millage increase, White Hall School District voters will determine occupancy of an at-large board seat in a Sept. 15 election.
    In his ninth year as a director, Dean Dancer is being challenged by Bill Tietz. Dancer is a minister and barber/hair stylist. Tietz is a former principal in the Watson Chapel School District, where he’s now facilities director.
    The two have similar opinions on many points, but some distinctions do exist.
    Tietz believes he’s in part a better candidate because of his education accomplishments. Once a teacher here, he holds a master’s degree in educational administration.
    “I strongly believe that my experience in education will be an added plus to our school board,” he said.
    Noting his service as a coach in local youth softball and basketball, he added, “I have a strong loyalty to the city and children of White Hall.” He described himself as a “strong participant” in the local boo-ster club.
    He has ser-ved on the local district’s technology advisory committee. Tietz and his wife, Cindy, have three children – one who is a White Hall High School graduate and two who currently attend schools here.
    Dancer touts his board experience, calling his near-decade on the panel a “privilege and honor.” He and his wife, Kelley, have one child, also a student here.
    Dancer said his community knowledge is based on public service. “Family, children and education are important to the many people I’ve come to know here, and those considerations are equally important to me,” he said.
    Declaring his time as a director has helped in furthering his own education, Dancer has worked to achieve certified master board member status. The earned rank requires extended, on-going study of “the latest laws and education information” especially beneficial to directors.
    Dancer said he’s proud of many district “improvements” that have occurred during his tenure, especially the White Hall Junior High School construction and senior sidewalk relocation projects.
    Dancer and Tietz have differing vie-ws on the district’s administration.
    When asked if he was pleased with the performances of Superintendent Dr. Larry Smith and other administrators – and, if not, how he would address any displeasures as a director – Tietz responded that Smith’s “heart is in the right place, but there is always room for improvement.”
    Tietz expressed “concern” that “not a local taxpaying educator” was named to either of two elementary principal posts recently filled in a unanimous board vote. Smith recommended the hirings after an administrative committee helped in rating candidates.
    “We had qualified individuals within the district boundaries,” Tietz opined. “I believe this was a slap in the face to our teaching staff.”
    Tietz also said that he would like to see Smith address an issue of awards for students in athletics, band and cheerleading. Tietz said Smith and the board “need to come up with a solution” on honoring such students. (Smith and the board have previously discussed this matter, with their talks focusing on an apparent lack of funding for such activities.)   
    Dancer had only praise for Smith and his team. Saying he was speaking not only as a director but also as a citizen and student’s father, Dancer stated that he admires and appreciates the group for its “hard work and sacrifices.” Dancer said the administrators’ families also make sacrifices to benefit the district.
    Both candidates favor the proposed 1.4 mill hike that would finance various enhancements, about 90 percent of which are state- or federally-mandated.
    In addition to satisfying state and federal requirements, the planned development would allow the district to “fulfill the needs of our faculty, students and community both for the present and future,” Dancer insists.
    Boasting of the current board’s “ca-reful research on and oversight and planning of” the proposed improvements and mill hike, Dancer said, “This is a vital part of the district’s and board’s mission to provide our children with the best foundation for their continuing education and their maturing into well-rounded, responsible, self-reliant and contributing adults. By securing the necessary funding for this mission, we’re helping to secure a foundation of excellence for our children and future generations here.”
    “I am definitely for the millage increase because it will be used to effectively make the White Hall School District a better district by giving our students more opportunities for success,” said Tietz.
    “If in any way the educational system at White Hall lowers its standards, so go the property values of the residents of White Hall. Twenty-eight dollars per $100,000 (the annual tax increase the millage hike, if approved, would generate on real estate assessments) is acceptable in my opinion.”
    Tietz and Dancer agree that despite current economic woes, district patrons should also support the millage increase.
    “This is a tough time for all residents of White Hall and the country alike, but if these appropriations will help all children and all residents throughout the entire district, it is fine and legitimate,” said Tietz.
    “The girls softball field (required by federal Title IX legislation) should have been completed long ago and is a long time in coming.”
    Board members and district administrators “understand that these are indeed trying economic times and we don’t take that lightly,” said Dancer.
    “However, the needs for updates and other changes are legitimate. In some instances, it’s a trickle-down effect.”
    Elaborating, Dancer pointed out that some mandated improvements necessitate or make other enhancements possible.