Virginia Macha sees a vicious cycle afflicting too many young adults. IF ELECTED, one of Macha’s driving forces will be to see vocational technical programs further developed. MACHA doesn’t have to look far for an example. MACHA ENVISIONS greater collaboration between Iola High School and Allen Community College, with both institutions providing more specialized training. One such avenue is with both schools’ ag programs. AS A long-time political observer, Macha sees greater interest in local races this spring, including hers, which she said is encouraging.
“They move from one minimum wage job to another without any kind of ladder to crawl out,” Macha said. “Before long, a lot of these people have incurred debt” making it even tougher to make a living.
The solution — a better-trained workforce — requires a teamwork approach with schools, industrial leaders, district patrons and parents, Macha contends.
Such a coalition is possible anywhere, she said, but is particularly vital for USD 257.
Macha is one of two candidates seeking the at-large vacancy for the USD 257’s Board of Education. Voters will choose between Macha and fellow Iolan Dan Willis in the April 7 general election. Macha and Willis are vying to fill the expiring seat held by Mark Burris, who opted not to run for re-election. (See related story on Willis elsewhere in today’s paper).
“I think I can add value to our school district,” Macha said in a recent interview.
While this is Macha’s inaugural foray as an electoral candidate, she’s hardly a political novice.
Macha has been active in the Republican party for years, usually behind the scenes, in support of other candidates or causes.
“It’s pretty overwhelming, especially for somebody who’s always been kind of behind the scenes,” she said. “It’s a little harder to sell yourself. It’s humbling. You’re knocking on this guy’s door and asking him for his most important vote, and you’re giving reasons why you’re the best candidate. You want to know what his concerns are.”
For the past two years, Macha has chaired the Labor Workforce Investment Board under the Southeast Kansas Works Program, which is designed to study ways to support economic expansion and develop talent in the area.
“We talk about our workforce,” Macha said. “It’s nonexistent here. There is a huge hole, and that’s a lot of the reason why Amazon left.
“I went to these summits, to talk about workforce,” she continued. “It’s obvious we’re missing the boat when it comes to developing our workforce early.”
Macha points to statistics unveiled by LWIB summits: 40 percent of all Kansans between 18 and 30 have no workforce certification, a high school diploma, served in the Armed Forces or have any kind of college degree.
“In order to change that, we need people on school boards,” Macha said. “We need vocational technical certification programs that add value to that student as they leave the doors of your institution.”
The daughter of the late Ivan Crossland, founder of Crossland Construction, Macha and her siblings were integral in the Crossland Education Commission, a program introduced into more than a dozen southeast Kansas high schools (including Marmaton Valley USD 256).
Crossland representatives have developed an education program that fully trains high school students in the construction realm.
“As these kids go through the module, by the time they’re a senior, they’re worth $2 more per hour to the workforce,” Macha said. “Imagine if you’re a kid who’s not going to go to college, and you could just walk into any construction company and say, ‘I have this certification. I’m worth $2 more per hour.’ That’s huge for anybody coming out of high school.”
Best of all, the curriculum was developed by Crossland, leaving little costs for the districts to bear, she said.
“I don’t think it’s impossible to focus on so many vocational certification programs in high school at a low cost to our schools,” Macha said.
But doing so requires buy-in at all levels.
“If we can get all the players around the table, and we have a willing effort on everybody’s part, we make it work,” she said. “That’s where teamwork and good communication skills come into play, so everyone’s on the same page. I saw it time and time again.
“I come from a family where that was our culture,” she said. “My father always told me, to build your team, educate them, make sure you have the best around you, and you’ll have so much success.”
“You can never be too diversified when it comes to farming,” she said. “You do it all.”
“We have some great candidates, and we have some great races,” she said. “Mr. Willis is a great guy. You have two great candidates running for the same seat.”
Vocational tech big issue
