Whiteley, Swenson seek Cheney School Board District 5 spot

Two longtime Cheney staples are running for Cheney School Board District Director 5: incumbent James Whiteley and Cheney High School alum Mitch Swenson.

Both Whiteley and Swenson are involved in the community and school district in a number of ways. Swenson is the president of Cheney Dollars for Scholars and a former Spokane Association of Realtors president. He has also volunteered with several local groups, including the Cheney Scholarship Association, West Plains Little League as a softball coach and the Cheney Track Club.

"I thought this might be an appropriate time (to run)," Swenson said. "My wife passed away in June and I wasn't sure, but then I thought 'maybe some more time to dedicate to the board.'"

Swenson added that Whiteley has done an upstanding job in his position.

Whiteley has served on the school board since 2011. He has been a member of the Washington Air National Guard since 1984 and has served as chaplain for the last 11 years. He is also a certified professional guardian.

He volunteers with the school district and the community by coaching multiple sports and serving as a PTO president. His reason for running for reelection is simple - he wants to continue serving the students.

"We have a great district and I want to continue down that path with them for one more term," Whiteley said.

In regards to concerns about infrastructure, space and overcrowding, Whiteley feels the district should have presented the bond differently to the public.

"We shouldn't have presented the bond twice in the same away," Whiteley said. "We as a board need to speak less and listen to what the community wants. We need a solution that's quick and efficient."

Swenson agreed with Whiteley in that the board should reach out and listen to the public in regards to the overcrowding and space at the high school. He said he and the board could come up with a "win-win situation." One idea of Swenson's is for the district to partner with Eastern Washington University to use some of its facilities.

One of the strengths Swenson said he would bring to the school board is he has been in the community for almost his entire life. He also brings a business perspective to the table.

"I've spent 32 years on the business side, I would hope I would bring something beneficial to the board," Swenson said.

Like Swenson, Whiteley has been in the community for his entire life. Volunteering in the district has helped him get to know students and their families.

If elected, Swenson said it will be an "educational process for him,"

"I want to be that voice that has experience in organization and just being a team member," Swenson said. "I've always thought about being on the school board. If it comes to fruition, it will be a good thing."

As for Whiteley, he would like to see the infrastructure and crowding at the high school resolved.

"We have two fantastic middle schools, we need a fantastic high school that we want to present to the community."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.