The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Karen Tonne is a 10-year veteran of the Prescott School Board. She sees the biggest challenge facing the distict as "funding all programs for all students. We need to consistently send information to state legislators to remind them of the deficits we face daily."

When asked how she will maintain standards in an era of declining enrollment she noted that, "the district has been very astute in saving monies through the years to help in times of student declining numbers. We set our budget with the thought we will have fewer students and most times we come out right on the number or have more than budgeted by a few students."

Further, she noted that, "in all decisions we put student needs first. All program changes are based on information gathered from students, staff and parents." Tonne's community service has included serving on the Waitsburg City Council and serving as a 4-H leader.

Running opposite Tonne in the Prescott race is Kevin Lee Chabre. He is a devoted community volunteer and when asked what he saw as the biggest challenge facing the Prescott School District, he replied "We just need to get some new blood in there. I'm young and I have kids that will be coming up. That's my big reason, why I have my heart in it-I want to help my community as much as I can."

Chabre is a Prescott High School graduate and did not attend college. He gained business knowledge through his work on his family's farm where he grows soft white winter wheat with his brother and father. His wife, Laura, is a sixth grade teacher at Prescott Elementary. They have two children, Addy who is eight years old and in the third grade, and Colton, who is four years old and is attending the preschool program in Waitsburg. Chabre is also involved in his community as a fire commissioner for District 3, and is a volunteer firefighter with District 2. He has been attending school board meetings for a while now and is an active member of the Prescott Lions Club.