Three people are running for a pair of seats on the Dunklin R-5 Board of Education in the April 2 election.
The candidates include a very familiar name, Oscar James Kasten, a former teacher and coach in the district who is seeking a fifth three-year term. Joining him on the ballot are John A. Maddox IV, who was appointed to the board in May 2018 to replace Rick Arnold, who retired from the board, and Linda Dianne Williams, who was the city clerk of Herculaneum for 14 years.
KASTEN, 70, lives at 824 Lake Drive, Herculaneum. He and his wife, Tina Jo, have three children and six grandchildren. He is the city administrator for Herculaneum and a former member of the Jefferson County Council. He received a bachelor’s degree in education from Southeast Missouri State University. Kasten has a lifetime teaching certificate and is retired after teaching and coaching in the district. He is a member of the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation and the Jefferson County Water Authority.
MADDOX, 45, lives at 8568 Stone Mountain Court, Pevely. He and his wife, Sonya Fae, have three children. He is a lead software engineer at Wells Fargo Advisors. He received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Missouri State University in 1995. He has been involved in volunteer activities with the district for 15 years, including the Blackcat Striders and Blackcat Hoopsters programs.
WILLIAMS, 66, lives at 9336 Meadowview Place, Pevely. She has two children and one granddaughter. She works part-time as an office manager for the Flower Patch in Festus and is a retired insurance agent. She is a 1971 graduate of Herculaneum High School, a certified city clerk and a licensed insurance agent.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Kasten: Funding is the biggest problem. We need to be fiscally responsible with the funds that we are entrusted with while using them to improve student achievement.
Maddox: Our greatest investment is investing in the next generation of leaders. All students need to have access to the technology and resources they need to be successful. We need diverse extracurricular activities to help students find new interests. We need to work on retaining the talented staff. Our buildings need to have some focus on general upkeep, maintenance and increase security.
Williams: I am proud of the district, and do not know of any major problems. If elected, I would like to help ensure that the district remains on a firm foundation and continues to serve our students and communities.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Kasten: I have lived in the district for nearly 70 years and except for my time in the Navy and while attending college. The school district and community define me and encompass my life’s work. I will always have the best interest of the students, staff and the community at the forefront of my decision making.
Maddox: I would make sure all students have access to the technology and resources they need to be successful. I would like to make sure the teachers have the resources they need. I will encourage the upgrade of the science facilities at the high school. I would like to introduce more science, technology, engineering, art and math courses into the curriculum. I would encourage the district to increase our Area Technical School opportunities for high school students. I would also work to help increase the district’s APR report card score to 100 percent.
Williams: My hope, if elected, would be to contribute to the growth and strength of our district. My desire is to be an asset to the board while making the best decisions for students, parents, administration and staff. I am a longtime resident of the area, and I will listen, hear and act to earn your trust and respect.