Five candidates are running for two Northwest R-1 School District Board of Education seats on April 8. The candidates are incumbents Don Bickowski and Gary Bonacker and challengers Dianna (Larson) Adams, Andy Williams and Jeffrey Hanewinkel.
Each seat is for a three-year term. The school board members are unpaid.
Bickowski and Adams did not return a Leader survey.
Williams, 64, of Dittmer retired from the Cedar Hill Fire Protection District after 40 years. His last position was battalion chief. He currently volunteers as chaplain for the district. He has a certificate degree in fire science. He is married to Vicky.
Bonacker, 69, of House Springs is a farmer. He graduated from Northwest and attended college for two semesters at University of Missouri in Columbia. He has one child and two grandchildren.
Hanewinkel, 52, of Byrnes Mill is a sales director for BreakThru Beverage. He is a 1991 Northwest High graduate and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lindenwood University. He is married to Angie and has two children. His wife and daughter, Emily Hanewinkel, are elementary teachers in the district.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Williams: I think my experience with the fire service and community will serve me well in this position.
Bonacker: I have served on the Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District; was a state representative for District 111 from 2022-2024; and school board from 2010 to present.
Hanewinkel: I previously served on the Northwest R-1 school board for six years and currently serve as the president of my subdivision’s homeowners association. I’ve also been actively involved in our community by coaching local boys and girls soccer, softball and football teams. These experiences have given me a strong understanding of our district’s needs and deepened my commitment to improving education, ensuring safety and fostering a stronger, more connected community.
What are the biggest problems facing the school district and how would you address them?
Williams: I think the biggest problems facing the school district are test scores with the state of Missouri and School Choice.
Bonacker: Money always is something that needs to be kept track of, both as a revenue and an expenditure. Getting qualified, certified teachers is a challenge.
Hanewinkel: The biggest challenges facing the Northwest School District are ensuring the safety of both students and staff; promoting better educational outcomes; and maintaining fiscal responsibility. Every child deserves a safe, supportive learning environment where they can succeed academically. By prioritizing the well-being of students and staff, we can foster a positive school culture. At the same time, we must make wise financial decisions that maximize resources and keep tax rates fair for the community. I am committed to advancing our district with the best interests of all in mind.
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Williams: I think the voters should vote for me because I will be a new and conservative voice for the school board. I love to find common sense solutions to problems, keeping students first.
Bonacker: During these 15 years I have helped lead the district with balanced budgets and have seen about $50 million in capital improvements, with three successful no-tax increase bond issues. Starting salaries have gone from $30,000 to next year $43,500. We have had three salary schedules to continue to right-size that schedule for district affordability. Northwest will continue to improve with my representation, and I will put our students first.
Hanewinkel: Voters should elect me because I want what’s best for our kids and believe in the Northwest community, as I was raised here and am a proud product of the Northwest School District. My son attends school here, and both my wife and daughter teach in the district. My goals for the next three years, if elected, are to increase safety for both students and staff; improve academic excellence by addressing educational gaps; and be a strong steward of taxpayers’ dollars. I am committed to making decisions that reflect the needs of our students, families and community values.
List your goals, if elected.
Williams: My goals are to work with the other board members to help raise test scores and improve communication; make Northwest schools a place where parents want their children to grow and not leave for a different school under School Choice.
Bonacker: We have to get our scores up. I have pushed this issue longer than I care to admit, with no real improvements. We will make some headway, whether it’s a building, a subject or a grade level, and then somehow we lose that momentum. Getting our salaries up to a competitive level that can entice the best quality of instruction to this district is very important. I pledge to keep pushing our administration to hold our teachers and students to that next level.
Hanewinkel: My goals, if elected, are to increase safety by advocating for more resource officers throughout the district; improve MAP scores to enhance college and career readiness; and promote the trades as a viable career option. I’m committed to retaining and recruiting highly qualified teachers by offering competitive wages and fostering a supportive environment. Additionally, I will focus on recruiting future educators from within our own student body and maintaining and improving our district’s facilities to ensure a safe, modern and effective learning environment for all students.
