Dads Compete for Cheney School Board Seat Amid District Growth

The race for a seat on the Cheney School Board has intensified as incumbent Mark Scott faces challenger Kyle Belock. This contest takes place against the backdrop of significant growth within the school district, which recently secured a $72 million bond to fund new facilities and improvements.

The Cheney School District, with a service area of 380 square miles, is the largest in Spokane County by size and has the fourth highest student population in the region. The district’s expansion comes on the heels of a three-year contract agreement reached just before the start of the previous school year, which averted a potential strike. Despite these advancements, maintaining a unified identity within the district has proven challenging, according to Scott.

Scott, who previously defeated an incumbent by nearly 10 percentage points to secure his board seat, now serves as the board president and represents Area 10 for the Washington State School Directors Association. He is committed to leading the district in a positive direction, focusing on high standards for students and fostering strong partnerships with parents.

In his own words, Scott stated, “I think it’s really important to partner with parents and make sure that parent involvement and their rights are protected.” He emphasized the need for a proactive approach to engage parents and enhance their involvement in the educational process. Scott believes that a strong educational foundation in core subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics is essential for student success.

To support this goal, Scott advocates for an expansion of career and technical education offerings, suggesting courses in areas like computer science, welding, and plumbing. He expressed pride in the recent approval of the bond and the district’s plans for growth, including the construction of a new elementary school.

“We’ll build a new school and purchase some more land for our district,” Scott said, highlighting the importance of unifying the communities of Cheney, West Plains, and Airway Heights as the district evolves. He acknowledged the logistical challenges of operating within such a large geographic area, including bus routes and school schedules, but remains optimistic about achieving a cohesive community identity.

Belock, a first-time candidate and father of five, is eager to address what he perceives as a disconnect between the school board and the parents. He has expressed a strong desire to improve communication and support for teachers, particularly in light of the recent negotiations that nearly led to a strike in the district.

“The reason I’m running for school board, primarily, is I feel like I need to support or restore some kind of communication between the school board and parents,” Belock noted. He proposes hosting listening sessions to allow families to voice concerns and interact with board members, aiming to bridge the gap between the administration and the community.

Belock, who identifies as a strong union supporter, has voiced frustration over the negotiations that threatened to disrupt the start of the 2024-25 school year. He shared a concerning insight from his son, who mentioned that some teachers have taken on second jobs to make ends meet. Belock emphasized the importance of ensuring that educators receive adequate support and resources.

“I don’t feel like our hourly employees, as well as our teachers, are getting the support that they need,” he stated, highlighting concerns about employee turnover and retention in the district.

As the election approaches, both candidates have articulated their visions for the Cheney School District, focusing on the dual needs of maintaining high educational standards while fostering a supportive environment for both students and staff. With the district poised for expansion, this election will play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of education in the area.