By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post
FARMINGTON – A crowded field of six is vying for three four-year positions on the Farmington CUSD 265 School Board.
Based on responses from some who attended a March 12 Meet the Candidates forum, choosing among the six may not be an easy choice when the April 1 election arrives.
Kent Kowal, moderator of the candidate forum attended by a crowd of about 45, said afterward he was so impressed with the candidates it will be difficult to decide how to cast his votes.
The field includes three incumbents – Dustin Blunier, Keith Deppermann and Daniel Gorsuch – and three newcomers, Chris Darsham, Ann Riccioni and Allison Smith.
Blunier, 44, is a field agronomy manager for Heliae Development and was appointed to the board seven months prior to his election in April 2021. He and his wife, Julie, moved into the district 11 years ago with their three children who attend Farmington schools.
Darsham, 41, is chief of police in Farmington and has lived in the district for 17 years. He and his wife, Mandy, have four children, two who have graduated and two who are still in Farmington schools.
Deppermann, 41, is a firefighter and EMT for the City of Canton and has lived in the Farmington district his entire life. He and his wife, Marte, have two children in Farmington schools.
Gorsuch, 46, is owner/operator of Gorsuch Appliance Sales and Service and has lived in the Farmington district for 17 years. He and his wife Leslie, a Farmington native, have one child still in the Farmington schools and two Farmington graduates.
Riccioni, 57, taught in the Farmington district for 29 years before retiring in 2023. She now teaches at Christ Lutheran School in Peoria. She and husband Rick live in Farmington and are parents to three Farmington High School graduates.
Smith, 31, is a Farmington native and Farmington graduate who met her husband, Alex, in the district. She taught music at Farmington from 2020-23 but now stays home to care for three children under the age of 5.
Here are the six candidates’ answers (edited for space) to several questions.
• Why are you running for school board?
Blunier: I believe parents and taxpayers are frustrated with a lack of “voice” or input in our educational system. At every level – local, state, federal – there is tension between our educational system and the people it is designed to serve. I think this is the No. 1 issue today in education. We need to be more welcoming of input from parents and taxpayers to guide the longterm direction of school districts and education. I want to be an advocate and voice that encourages more discussion and inclusion from parents and stakeholders.
Darsham: I’m dedicated to improving graduation rates and test scores in the district, as a 72.5% graduation rate is unacceptable. I aim to recruit and retain talented educators and enhance school safety, drawing on my experience and training to propose effective improvements. I’m also a huge supporter of teaching trade classes in our district since college is not for everyone, many high-paying jobs are in those fields.
Deppermann: I am running in order to give back to the community and a district that has given much to me. I have found the last four years to be very rewarding and look forward to continuing to serve the district.
Gorsuch: I’m running to help better our community and strive to bring updated learning and tech to our kids.
Riccioni: I am passionate about preserving as well as improving the quality of our school district. I have established relationships in the school district and will happily represent the interests of the community and advocate for the needs of the students and schools. I see the potential in the school district and want to help it continue to grow into the best school district it can be.
Smith: I am running first and foremost out of love for the students of the district and the hope of an amazing school district for my own children for the next 17-plus years. My perspectives from teaching in every building of the school district, my relationships with the existing staff and my own experience as a student in the district give me a lot of background knowledge to build a working relationship as a board member.
• What would you like to help accomplish on the board?
Blunier: One of my most fascinating endeavors on the board has been as a representative to our curriculum committee. I believe over the next four years we will be positioned to vastly improve student performance and achievements in state testing, will deliver graduating 8th graders more prepared for high school and devote more resources to a more robust course catalog allowing students to graduate more ready for college, career, or whatever they want to pursue.
The school district recently passed a bond issuance that will provide for key infrastructure improvements. If implemented correctly, they will enhance the educational environment of nearly all grade levels, as well as extracurricular opportunities.
Even after the issuance of bonds, the district’s effective tax rate is scheduled to reduce to one of its lowest levels. Additionally, we have one of the lowest rates of school districts in the area. Fiscal responsibility is a very important role of the board.
Darsham: My goal is to help provide a quality education for our students that they can build upon after they graduate, whether that’s in the trades, college or military. To achieve this, we need to hire and retain the best teachers and staff while supporting them in every way possible to create a school district families want to be a part of.
Ensuring school safety is also important, as students need a safe environment to reach their full potential.
Deppermann: I look forward to being involved in the following projects: 1. See the alternative school project come to fruition. 2. Improvement in our academics, including increasing test scores and increasing the high school and junior-high class offerings (especially capstone courses).
Additionally, I would like to see the Spanish/foreign-language department much better staffed. I also will continue to be involved in improving district communication to our students, parents and the community.
Gorsuch: I would like to help accomplish the main idea of our theme: Bring excellence to our kids and community. From the campus to the staff and teachers.
Riccioni: I would prioritize students’ needs by advocating for policies and initiatives that help improve the educational experience for all children, including support for high-quality instruction, curriculum and resources. I hope to participate as a team member to help build stronger relationships between the communities within our school district to encourage the sharing of ideas to utilize the strengths of local community members. Finally, I would like to assist in the process of retaining and recruiting teachers who are highly qualified.
Smith: I want to see greater staff retention and an increase in numbers of teacher’s aides and substitute teachers. I would like to advocate for the importance of the library, skills-based learning and arts in the school district. I would like to see proactive communication and more opportunities for parents to be present in the school district.
• Why are you a good candidate for the board?
Blunier: People who have interacted with me over the past four years have found I’m very transparent in my approach and where I stand on specific issues. They also found someone willing to listen, learn and consider their viewpoint and concerns before finalizing a position.
As a parent of three students in the district, I’m involved and invested in the school’s success. As a property owner and spouse of a small business owner, I’m invested in our community’s success. As a professional that develops and trains individuals in their jobs and careers, I’m invested in bettering our educational system.
Darsham: Having run a government entity for the past eight years, I understand how to create and adhere to a budget. I have developed creative strategies to attract young talent in a competitive job market while implementing incentives to retain quality employees within budget constraints. I am not afraid to ask tough questions and make decisions that serve the best interest of the organization.
Deppermann: I have taken the opportunity of the last four years to get to know the district well and to build relationships within it. I have served the district faithfully the last four years and look to continue to do so.
Gorsuch: I believe I have a good communication and skill set for listening. And I can bring that together with other people to come to a final solution that most all can agree to.
Riccioni: My years of experience as a teacher in District 265 bring firsthand knowledge of challenges and opportunities within the education system to inform better decision-making regarding teachers’ working conditions and student performance. I understand the importance of making decisions that are in tune with the local values and needs of all stakeholders: students, parents, teachers and all community members.
Smith: I have a master’s degree in education and have taught students grades K-12 of varied backgrounds, including gifted students and students with special needs. I want to use existing relationships with staff, students and community members to make positive changes by doing more listening than talking.
• Anything else?
Blunier: With the pending restructuring of the federal Department of Education and possible reforms at the state level, school districts may have an opportunity to bring forth meaningful change. I want to ensure all stakeholders have input.
Darsham: We have an amazing school district, but we also have issues that need to be addressed like any other school district in the area. I think some new faces and ideas will go a long way in improving what is already a great school district.
Riccioni: My campaign for school board is firmly rooted in my desire to be a voice on the school board to promote positive changes within our school district.
Smith: I think it is so important for educators to be in the room when decisions about education are being made. Proposed school enhancements, curriculum decisions and accountability for the school district as well as many other topics handled by the school board are more effective when someone with an education background is present.
