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Grain Valley voters will soon decide who will represent them on the Grain Valley Board of Education.
Three individuals are running for two seats – incumbent Chris Bamman as well as newcomers Scot Sodano and Eddie Saffell. Terms are for three years, and the election is April 3.
Bamman, 46, is the facilities director at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. He has served as a leader in both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs, has coached several youth sports teams and currently coaches a AAA competitive baseball team. He has served on the board for the past three years and is now vice-president. He and his wife, Christy, have three children.
Bamman said he wanted to seek another term on the board because “school board membership is more of a journey than a destination.” He said it takes some time to become familiar with the workings of a school district and believes continuity is important as a person becomes acclimated to current political issues and funding concerns.
“I believe I am a good fit for this board for a number of reasons. My experience in engineering, construction and facilities management offers a good perspective as we encounter many of these kinds of decisions due to the explosive growth our school district encounters,” he said. “I am confident we will continue to keep high academic achievement at the forefront of our mission. I will continue to support these initiatives and, in addition, hope to have the opportunity to continue to push for stronger support of our athletics and activities programs. I would like to continue to serve the children in this community and believe the experience I have gained in my current term will serve the district well going forward.”
Sodano, 48, owns and operates Sodano Auto Service, an auto repair shop in Grain Valley. He has been involved with the Grain Valley Eagles Football Booster Club and is also an athletic corporate sponsor for the school district. He also is an active member and sponsor of the Grain Valley Wrestling Booster Club and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Grain Valley. He and his wife, Brenda, have three sons.
Sodano said he feels that being on the school board is a step above all of the other ways he has already shown support for the community.
“I feel like I am a good fit for this board because I am an active community member who understands the challenges of the students, the teachers and the community,” he said. “I understand budgets and needs, and we have to find a way to continue to keep the best teachers so our students’ needs can be met. I believe in community service and that all of us must take an active role in the future of our children. We cannot just sit back and hope the right thing is done. An education unlocks doors that would otherwise be shut.”
Grain Valley voters will soon decide who will represent them on the Grain Valley Board of Education.
Three individuals are running for two seats – incumbent Chris Bamman as well as newcomers Scot Sodano and Eddie Saffell. Terms are for three years, and the election is April 3.
Bamman, 46, is the facilities director at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. He has served as a leader in both the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts programs, has coached several youth sports teams and currently coaches a AAA competitive baseball team. He has served on the board for the past three years and is now vice-president. He and his wife, Christy, have three children.
Bamman said he wanted to seek another term on the board because “school board membership is more of a journey than a destination.” He said it takes some time to become familiar with the workings of a school district and believes continuity is important as a person becomes acclimated to current political issues and funding concerns.
“I believe I am a good fit for this board for a number of reasons. My experience in engineering, construction and facilities management offers a good perspective as we encounter many of these kinds of decisions due to the explosive growth our school district encounters,” he said. “I am confident we will continue to keep high academic achievement at the forefront of our mission. I will continue to support these initiatives and, in addition, hope to have the opportunity to continue to push for stronger support of our athletics and activities programs. I would like to continue to serve the children in this community and believe the experience I have gained in my current term will serve the district well going forward.”
Sodano, 48, owns and operates Sodano Auto Service, an auto repair shop in Grain Valley. He has been involved with the Grain Valley Eagles Football Booster Club and is also an athletic corporate sponsor for the school district. He also is an active member and sponsor of the Grain Valley Wrestling Booster Club and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Grain Valley. He and his wife, Brenda, have three sons.
Sodano said he feels that being on the school board is a step above all of the other ways he has already shown support for the community.
“I feel like I am a good fit for this board because I am an active community member who understands the challenges of the students, the teachers and the community,” he said. “I understand budgets and needs, and we have to find a way to continue to keep the best teachers so our students’ needs can be met. I believe in community service and that all of us must take an active role in the future of our children. We cannot just sit back and hope the right thing is done. An education unlocks doors that would otherwise be shut.”
Saffell, 50, is the Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention with Central Jackson County Fire Protection District and has 31 years in the fire service. He has served as a board member with the Grain Valley Chamber of Commerce and is currently vice-president. He has also been a committee member with the Grain Valley Fair Daze, the Pillar of the Community Awards and the Santa Train event. He and his wife, Debbie, have one daughter.
Saffell said he wanted to run for a seat on the board because quality education is a “key component in a community’s growth.”
“We have seen examples of what a struggling school system can do to a town or city, resulting in residents relocating to give their children a stronger educational opportunity. I feel that, as a member of the school board, I have something to offer in helping that aspect of our community continue to move forward and remain part of what makes Grain Valley an attractive place to live,” Saffell said. “Our school district enjoys a reputation of providing quality education to its students, and I am excited for an opportunity to be a part of continuing that tradition, while helping the district and our city continue to grow. There are countless ways to serve, but with a strong educational background, most of which came as an adult student, and an understanding of how important a good foundation is for our student population, I feel this is where I can offer the most.”
