Henley to challenge for KISD Position 1
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

DALE HENLEY

Since George Faber announced he will no longer be seeking election in Position 1 on the Kilgore Independent School District board of trustees the race is on to fill that position.

Dale C. Henley announced on Monday he would be filing for that position to run in the May 10 election.

Henley is the vice president of finance at Cudd Pressure Control, located on Hwy. 135 in Kilgore.

Henley said he believes by electing him to the board he will bring a different perspective to the board. "With my background in finance, I understand what it is like to deal with large financial numbers as does the school district," said Henley. "Being a certified public accountant I work with numbers like those all the time and understand how the board has to make big decisions for the school districts financial stability."

I also want to see more participation from the public said Henley. "The school board is just a representation of the pubic, they work for the taxpayers," said Henley. "It is not just there right to be at school board meetings, but they should be encouraged to attend those meetings."

Henley said he would like to see the public forum portion of the school board meeting be reinstated to give the public a chance to give constructive comments to the school board.

However I believe there is a fine line between being a school board member and just a citizen of the community said Henley. "If a citizen has a problem with the school district there is levels of communication that should be adhered to," said Henley. "As a school board member I don't feel it is their job to seek out these problems that should be dealt with internally, that would only erode the management ability of the school district."

If I am elected I will go into the position with an open mind and certainly no objective said Henley. "I feel there is a lot of change going on in the district at this time, new superintendent, new board members, but these changes shouldn't scare anyone, new outlooks and perspectives can be a good thing," said Henley.

I am sure whoever the citizens elect to this position will do a good job for the district, I am in it for the long run said Henley. "I encourage citizens to get out and vote, if people don't vote then they have no reason to gripe," said Henley.

This is an important election because whoever is elected has some big shoes to fill, George Faber's experience and dedication to the KISD board is surpassed by none said Henley.

Henley has been married for 29 years to his wife Regina and they have four children, Christi, Michael, David and Kathryn.

With a degree from Texas A&M in accounting and finance, Henley worked in public accounting for nine years and then went to work for oil field service companies for 16 years. Henley held positions as president of band boosters, treasurer of the band boosters and FFA booster president and his family also sponsored a foreign exchange student.