A pair of candidates punched their ticket for four years on the Greenwood school board Tuesday.
Incumbent Mike Metzger claimed 35.6% of the vote while 22.4% voters selected challenger Chad Shaffer, beating out challenger Peggy Daeger, and incumbent Brian Ford who gathered 21.7% and 20.4% of ballots, respectively.
Jack Napier, an incumbent, ran unopposed for the District 2 spot.
Metzger, a school board member since 2014, said he prides himself on the board’s work to raise teacher salaries at Greenwood schools from the lowest in Johnson County. The board eventually got that figure up to the top of the county ranks during the past two years. Metzger also has goals to create a culture of positivity, to encourage teachers and staff members who may feel worn out, and students who are still recovering from learning loss they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Metzger also campaigned on keeping the school district fiscally responsible and to continue improving student safety throughout the school district.
Shaffer, a first-time candidate, said he decided to run for school board after attending school board meetings for the past year, which left him wanting more communication between the board and the community. He touted his experience in managing teams, budgets and projects as a benefit the board could use, and said he hoped the schools would invest in new technology to prepare students for a modernized job market.
Shaffer also campaigned on the need to financially plan for a future with fewer students as the birth rate has decreased in recent years.
The school board is responsible for setting the school district’s annual budget, approving teacher contracts, hiring and reviewing the superintendent, setting policies and procedures, and making decisions regarding construction projects and any school redistricting that may be necessary.
