News : V-S School Board candidate profile: Kyle Schminke

Editor's Note: Kyle Schminke is one of the three candidates for the Vinton-Shellsburg school board seat which became vacant with the recent resignation of Tim Bird. We asked Kyle to share some information about himself and her experience, as well as his views on school issues. Below, is his response:

My name is Kyle Schminke. I was born and raised in Shellsburg. I graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1985. I started farming with my dad from the time I was a little boy, and knew that's what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I started out as a hired hand while in high school and continued that for many years. I am now successfully farming on my own right where I grew up, and plan to be here for the foreseeable future.

I have been married to my wife, Kyla, for 20 years, and we have two beautiful daughters. Dawne is a junior and Sarah is in 7th grade. I have many strong ties to this area and to this community, and have a strong connection to many of the people in the VS School District. I have been, and always will be loyal to the schools in both Shellsburg and Vinton. I was here to see the merging of the schools, the building of the new High School and the successes of our athletic and fine arts departments. I look forward to being around to see what other exciting changes will be in store for our schools.

I may not have the college education or the degrees behind my name like the other candidates, but I am ok with that. What I do have is plenty of life experiences, and plenty of ambition. I may be just your “average Joe farmer” but I”m not going anywhere. I am very committed to this school system, and most of all, to this community and the children that are in it and the children that are yet to come. I always tell my two daughters that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to as long as they have two things....a good attitude and a lot of effort. I am willing to put in a lot of effort for the people of the VS school district to make this a great school system to be in. I want our board and our teachers to be held accountable for the decisions they make because those decisions affect our children's futures. I feel I can be impartial in my decision making and can urge others to keep the needs of our students in the forefront of their minds when making those tough decisions. Those decisions may not always be popular or easy, but nothing worth doing is ever easy. I am willing to make those tough decisions. If I am elected, I will give you, as members of the VS school district, my full effort and a positive attitude.

Thank you.