Re-elect Kenny Underdown to Alpena School Board

I believe in Agriculture the number one industry in Arkansas.
Growing up I had two important men in my life. My dad and Lanty Frazier. My dad taught me to work hard, that my handshake was my bond and If I gave my word on something to follow through. He said be someone in the community that can be trusted and counted on. In my agri classes in school Mr. Frazier reinforced these ethics. He taught me skills that carried me through raising a family and earning a living. He was to me and many others more than just a teacher. He was a role model. He was and is the best of the best. For thirty plus years he taught his students book knowledge and life skills they needed to be successful. Alpena roots run deep. Our oldest grandson will graduate in May from the University of Arkansas with a double major in Agriculture. I want our current and future students to have every opportunity we can give them to be successful in whatever life path they choose whether it be agriculture or some other endeavor .

In the spring of both 2018 and 2019 the Alpena School District asked the voters of the district to pass a millage increase to build a new facility. Both times our voters said no. During the campaign for this millage increase there was information given to our community that was incorrect. Since this keeps being brought back up even by local news stories I feel it's time to clear the air.
When the 2018 millage failed we received a form letter from the State Department. The letter listed the options the state had for responding to the failed millage. It is the same letter sent to any school which ask for and does not get a millage increase. When the board was given this letter I asked how many times the state had ever taken over or consolidated a school over a failed millage. The answer was "Never".
When the 2019 millage failed I, along with the superintendent , met with the head of the Facilities Department in Little Rock. He told us "your voters don't want a millage increase leave them alone. I have been there several times and you have a good campus and good buildings. My own kids could attend school there in those buildings. Make some improvements, do some upgrades and have school. All of your buildings are structurally sound." He recommended we hire an engineer to look over things and make suggestions on the improvement we might make. The engineer that was contracted felt the old gym might be unsafe so the doors were locked. I worked for 40 years in the construction business and I had a problem with his findings. I contacted a local commercial building company , Larry Davis Construction. The jobs manager met with me, the superintendent, and maintenance to inspect the gym. We found no structural problems. The company engineer came and made yet another inspection with the same result. he put his seal on the report stating the building is sound and safe. The jobs manager and I agreed if a storm was coming we would get in the old gym. Davis Construction did all of this for our district free of charge. That's what local people do and why I am always pushing to use and hire local people.
All this being said, we were never in danger of losing our school. If that were ever truly the case I know the district voters would pull together and do what was needed.

The bond issued approximately 30 years ago to build the new gym will pay off in June of this year. This will leave somewhere close to $60,000 a year that we can use for other needs of our students. I am proud of this facility and it's importance to not only our school but our community. When it was built there was a true need and a good plan for such a facility. Not only has it housed standing room only sporting events, it has been used by families in need whether it be for a funeral or a benefit.
Class room instruction is the backbone of our students education and I believe we should strive to provide them with the best available. I also believe that extra curricular activities weather it be sports, band, club trips or showing an animal at the county fair, are also an important part of a well rounded education. Our students learn many life lessons through these activities. As a board member I am here to support and represent our students. I also know that it is my job to represent the interest of the tax payers of the Alpena School district.

With the School Board election being held in conjunction with the Presidential primary this year, voters will not be able to simply go to the Alpena community center to vote. Alpena School District encompasses 3 counties Boone, Carroll and Newton. I have met with the Election Coordinator from each county and the following information is what they gave me.
Anyone voting in the Alpena School Board election 2020 must vote in their resident county.
Boone County residents can vote at any voting site in Boone County.
Carroll County residents can vote at any voting site in Carroll County.
Newton County residents can vote at any voting site in Newton County.
Boone County voters wishing to vote early will vote at the election center in Harrison. Carroll and Newton County voters voting early will go to their respective county court house.
This is the first time ever that our school election has been affected in this way. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

My family has been apart of Alpena Schools for 4 generations. I am an Alpena graduate along with both of my kids and one grandson. I have two grandkids presently attending Alpena School. I was the owner/operator of Underdown Construction for 35 years. I, along with my wife Pam, currently run a cow/calf/commercial hay operation on our family farm. I have lived and worked in the district my entire life. I serve on the USDA board at the county level and I have also served the last 5 years on the Alpena School board. I am completely invested and dedicated to our community and the Alpena School District.