Roy Mohler is seeking another term on the Buena Vista School Board, where he has served with a focus on long-term facility planning and student well-being. Mohler said his decision to run again stems from both personal and community commitment.
“I’m running to serve the kids in our community,” he said. “Three of my children have graduated from Parry McCluer, and I have a fifthgrader now who will be through school in the blink of an eye. My focus has always been — and will remain — the well-being, safety, and education of every child in our schools.”
Mohler said his top priority is addressing the division’s aging facilities and lack of modern classroom space. “Our high school is a wonderful facility, but several of our other school buildings are outdated and difficult to update,” he said. “The most important near-term issue is developing a realistic plan to improve space and move students into better facilities —whether by expanding current buildings or constructing new ones.”
He said the facilities discussion now underway is an important step forward for the community. “There’s a study in progress to determine the best path ahead, and I think it’s wise to let that process play out,” Mohler said. “It’s such an important decision for our city and our students, and we need to hear from the experts before deciding what’s best.”
Safety, Mohler said, is “the most important job” of the division. “Some older buildings’ layouts make security difficult,” he said. “Facility planning —expansion or replacement —must be our first priority so we can create buildings that are easier to secure and better support modern safety practices.”
Mohler also emphasized teacher recruitment and retention, particularly through programs that encourage local graduates to return as educators. “One of the best strategies is hiring homegrown talent,” he said. “We already have a Teachers for Tomorrow program; I propose designating a staff member to follow and mentor those students through college, maintaining contact and showing them we value them as future employees.”
He said sensible technology policies and parent partnerships are key to discipline and learning. “Phones are a major in-class distraction,” he said. “We need clearly communicated rules that limit phone use during instruction while preserving necessary communication.”
On artificial intelligence, Mohler said the focus should be on education rather than restriction. “AI is here to stay,” he said. “We should teach students how to use it responsibly and critically, understanding that technology is a tool, not a replacement for trusted human relationships.”
Mohler said his approach as a board member will continue to center on communication and accessibility. “I strive to be available and responsive to parents and community members,” he said. “Open lines of communication build trust and help us make better decisions for our children.”
