Four people are seeking the two seats available in the April 5 election on the Festus R-6 Board of Education.
Todd Oetting, the current board president, is seeking his fifth consecutive three-year term while Tracy Anderson her second. They will be challenged by Stephen Holt and Patrick Earley, a former Festus High School assistant principal.
OETTING, 46, lives at 2210 Robins Way, Festus. He and his wife, Karen, have two children. He is vice president and general manager of Hartman Walsh Industrial Services. A Festus High School graduate, he received an associates degree in pre-engineering from Jefferson College, a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri S&T and a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University.
He has been chairman of the board of the Metro East Chapter of Council of Owners and Construction Associates and served as a board member for five years, volunteered as a coach for YMCA youth sports and other youth sports organizations, is finance chairman at First United Methodist Church in Festus, has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity projects and has been a member of the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Missouri Society for Professional Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals.
He worked for the district as a basketball official, but stopped officiating once he was elected to the board.
HOLT, 43, lives at 1846 Iron Mountain Drive in Festus. He and his wife, Jennifer, have four children. He is a program manager at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and a U.S. Army veteran. He has a bachelor’s degree from St. LouisUniversity and a master’s degree in business administration from WebsterUniversity. He is a member of the Festus-Crystal City Elks, is a Boy Scout leader, coach in the Twin City Youth Football League and is a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He is a volunteer with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Gateway Area chapter, Habitat for Humanity and the Fisher House Foundation.
ANDERSON, 50, lives at 1824 Belmont Court in Festus. She and her husband, Steven, have two children. She and her husband own Anderson Heating and Air Conditioning Co. in Festus, where she is office manager and human resources manager. A graduate of HerculaneumHigh School, she is a member of the Twin City Area Optimists Club, the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Festus R-6 Advisory Council, is treasurer of Festus High School Project Prom Committee and has been president of the parent-teacher organizations at Festus Intermediate and FestusMiddle schools.
Anderson previously worked for the district as a special education paraprofessional, but left when she first ran for the board. Her niece-in-law, Lynn Stanley, is a secretary in the district’s central office.
EARLEY, 53, lives at 317 Meadow Chase Drive in Festus. He and his wife, Debbie, have two children. He was assistant principal at FestusHigh School for 15 years but left because he needed chemotherapy treatments. He is a substitute teacher at various St. Louis school districts. Earley earned an associates degree in criminal justice from St. LouisCommunity College, a bachelor’s degree in social studies and a master’s degree in secondary administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and also has a specialist’s degree in educational administration. He is a board member of the Twin City Youth Football League.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?Oetting: Putting resources in place with a good strategy to sustain our high level of performance. It’s a good problem and one the board must keep its eye on. School safety must remain a focus. Parents and children must have confidence that students are safe at school. We must remain diligent to risk and ensure that we are prepared. Training to ensure a swift and effective response is key. Traffic and parking continues to be a daily struggle. The district lacks a performing arts facility where music and drama students have a proper place to rehearse and perform. The district must also continue hiring and maintaining top-quality educators.
Holt: One of the biggest problems is parking. Once the current construction is completed, the property needs to be examined to make certain that it is being used as logistically as possible. A good issue to have is sustaining the students’ high level of academic performance. The educators must be provided with resources and continuing education so that they are able to foster an environment for students to continue achieving academic excellence. Technology will be an issue for the near future. There have been tremendous strides toward advancing technologically, but there are still many improvements to be made.
Anderson: The major problems that we were facing are being addressed. There are always small issues that come up, but they are addressed and taken care of as soon as possible.
Earley: Overcrowding, student and teacher morale, better technology and safety. More action needs to be taken to eliminate trailers for student and faculty safety. More effort needs to be directed relating to student and teacher contact to increase the morale and confidence. A continuous need of better technology and safety concerns will be evaluated and recommended. Every student should feel safe and secure. Communication needs to be improved to include more student and parent involvement. I would be instrumental in reaching out to ensure this happens. Reaching out to parents to ensure their children are not just a number will be a priority. More committees and focus groups need to be implemented to make improvements.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Oetting: I am a product of the R-6 system and I know that the education and preparation I received was excellent. I have two children attending district schools and have a vested interest in maintaining the quality of public education. I have been on the board for 12 years and my experience can help guide our leadership. I am an advocate for change and continuous improvement; this is key to the success of the district. If elected, my goal will be to work to keep the best interests of the children at the forefront of the board’s policies and actions.
Holt: I have a long-term stake in the success of this district. I have four children in three of the school buildings, with my youngest in kindergarten. I have a strong conviction and passion for the success of the youth in our community. My goals include retaining the outstanding educational staff through continued competitive salaries and maintaining the environment the district has fostered for a 2015 Top Workplace by St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Another goal is to provide a first-class education to establish a foundation for future student successes and endeavors while maintaining the lowest tax levy in the county.
Anderson: My current status as a board member gives me the knowledge needed to continue to be a valued member of the board. As a past district employee and a parent of two high school students, I have the advanced knowledge of the way the district works from the inside out.
Earley: I want to be instrumental in ensuring students and parents that every student matters. Test scores and ratings matter, but each student needs to feel their needs are being met. I want to be highly visible in the community and have an open door to all stakeholders. I encourage everyone to become involved and provide their input. I have the experience in administration and familiarity with this district to make improvements in all areas. I am loyal, dedicated, committed and passionate about education. I am consistent, fair and never show favoritism. I assure you I will listen to everyone if I am elected.