Four candidates are running for the three Jefferson College Board of Trustees seats up for election on April 8. Two of the seats are for six-year terms, and one is for a four-year term.
The candidates are Roger Barrentine, Tim Lewis, Bob Boyer and incumbent Krystal Hargis. The top two vote-getters will win the six-year terms, and the candidate who finishes third will serve the four-year term.
Barrentine, 56, of Hillsboro worked for 33 years at Jefferson College, first as public information assistant and assistant director of public relations from 1990-93 and then as the director of public relations and marketing until his retirement in 2023. He is a 1986 Festus High School graduate and earned an associate degree from Jefferson College in 1988 and a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University in 1990. He is married to Dana Barrentine and has three adult children, Samantha, Landry and Bobby.
Lewis, 65, of Festus was the Festus Police chief until retiring in 2023. He also worked as an adjunct instructor in the college’s Criminal Justice program for about seven years. He earned a master’s degree in criminal justice from Lindenwood University in 2005, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Southeast Missouri State University in 1982 and an associate degree from Jefferson College in 1980. He is married to Linda Lewis and has two daughters, Madison and Haley.
Boyer, 43, of De Soto is the Jefferson County assessor and president of the Missouri State Assessors’ Association and vice president of the St. Louis Chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors Committee. He is a Missouri state-licensed professional land surveyor and real estate appraiser. He is a 2000 Festus High School graduate and earned an associate degree from Jefferson College in 2002. He is married to Sherrie Boyer and has six children and one grandchild.
Hargis, 63, of Arnold was a Fox C-6 School District teacher for 30 years and retired in 2017. She also owns a business, Gary’s Custom Counters, Cabinets and More Inc. She is a 1979 Fox High School graduate and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Webster University in 1986 and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Webster University in 1990 and a gifted child specialist degree from Maryville University in 2000. She is married to Gary Hargis and has two children and seven grandchildren.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Barrentine: My entire professional career was spent working closely with current and past Jefferson College board members, presidents/administrators, faculty and staff, community and civic leaders, and, most importantly, students and their families. Because of these experiences, I possess a thorough understanding of higher education operations while also being deeply aware of the college’s challenges and opportunities.
Examples of my community service include the De Soto Rotary Club (president 2021-2023), Mastodon Fair and Jefferson County Growth Association.
Lewis: Served on the Jefferson College Law Enforcement Academy Board of Directors, Mineral Area Law Enforcement Academy Board of Directors, Regional Computer Crime Education and Enforcement Group Board of Directors; was vice president of Region 8 Missouri Police Chiefs Association and took part in Our Lady ACTS retreat group; member of FBI National Academy Alumni, Knights of Columbus Council 1185, BPOE 1721, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Twin City Rotary and Twin City Days Committee.
Boyer: Served on the first Jefferson County Council. Been involved and responsible for personnel and budgetary decisions while serving in Jefferson County government. This experience helps fill a void created by the retirement of incumbent board members, and I will be ready to serve on day one. I also am a member of Scouts BSA Troop 430 in Arnold.
Hargis: I have served on the Jefferson College Board of Trustees for 24 years and during that time, I have been board president and vice president and served on the board’s policy revision committee, budget committee and negotiations team. I also serve on the Jefferson County Library board and previously served on the Fox C-6 School Board of Education.
What are the biggest problems facing the college and how would you address them?
Barrentine: Enrollment: Given the projected national decline in the number of high school graduates through 2041, identifying growth strategies for individual Jefferson County high schools while setting enrollment targets for other demographic populations is vital for potential growth. Tuition: Rising costs/fees must be kept in check for hard-working families. Educational quality: Continued investment in academic technology and facilities is needed amid competition from two and four-year institutions that have added new programs and expanded facilities. Employee stability: The college must keep morale high while providing a robust compensation package to retain dedicated and experienced faculty and staff.
Lewis: Funding is our biggest problem, especially state funding. We need more core funding that allows the college to place those funds in the general revenue to be spent as they are needed. As a college, we don’t want to place additional financial burdens on the students to make up for declining revenue. The college needs to continue to receive A+ funding from the state of Missouri to assist our graduating seniors who wish to pursue a college education. Campus safety is paramount, and having a well-funded campus police department is critical for the college to be successful.
Boyer: Like other organizations and industries, the rising costs of personnel, contracts, goods and services has driven up the cost to provide a great and affordable education. So, the biggest challenge facing Jefferson College is how to provide the same cost and level of education to our high school graduates and adults transitioning to their new careers, while managing skyrocketing expenses. My experience in Jefferson County government, as a councilman and the assessor, gives me the ability to help the board of trustees and the administration to find ways to save money and keep tuition affordable.
Hargis: Community colleges are essential to workforce development and affordable education. However, there are a number of challenges, including funding, enrollment, tuition costs and workforce alignment that cause continual concern for our board. Addressing these challenges requires better funding, strong student support, employer partnerships and innovative program delivery. I will continue to advocate for increased state and federal funding, develop partnerships with local businesses for grants and sponsorships and expand workforce training programs that qualify for public and private sector jobs.
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Barrentine: Jefferson College is truly part of my professional DNA. I’m extraordinarily proud that my entire family has attended and/or graduated from the college. My whole career was dedicated to serving our community while upholding the college’s mission. I am deeply committed to strengthening the college and have a proven, distinctive combination of knowledge/history, dedication, character and experience to contribute as a trustee. I will approach all issues with an open mind and vote for what is best for students and the community. If I am elected, the “learning curve” will be very small, given my immense familiarity with the institution.
Lewis: I have 41 years of experience as a police officer, with 25 years as chief of police. I have worked with budgets, both lean and healthy, that required tough decisions. I have worked with resource allocations, personnel issues, conflict resolutions, long-range strategic planning, union negotiations and most importantly serving the citizenry when they had issues and concerns. I have spent numerous hours conducting one-on-one meetings with people focusing on rectifying their issues and problems.
Boyer: I am uniquely qualified to serve on the board of trustees. I am a Jefferson College graduate who used the degree obtained there to begin a successful career in the private sector. As county councilman, I helped save taxpayer dollars, increase reserve funds and provide better services to taxpayers. I continued this success as the assessor. I plan to bring this experience to the board of trustees, to continue to save taxpayer dollars, provide a great education to our high school graduates and adults transitioning to their new careers, and ensure that tuition costs remain affordable.
Hargis: I am running for reelection to the Jefferson College Board of Trustees because I believe every individual deserves a high-quality education that prepares them for success. As a dedicated member of this community, I am committed to putting students first, supporting teachers and ensuring our school has the resources needed to thrive. I will advocate for policies that enhance academic achievement, improve student well-being and expand opportunities for all.
List your goals, if elected.
Barrentine: I’m not driven by a political agenda or outside influence, but by a genuine desire to serve and make decisions based on what benefits students and our community. My vision is to ensure that the college is positioned to strengthen its role as a regional leader in higher education, workforce development and civic involvement.
My five goals include: strengthening student access and educational quality; keeping costs in check while sustaining sensible financial management and integrity; supporting the stability and development of faculty and staff; expanding business and educational partnerships and increasing campus and community participation in athletics and fine arts.
Lewis: I want to see Jefferson College maintain its status as the crown jewel of the county education system and be part of a college that offers education and training that reflects the county’s needs. I believe I will be able to assist in that goal. We have strong educational classes, as well as established blue-collar training programs for vocations such as the nursing, veterinary, welding, EMT and firefighter training programs, the Law Enforcement Academy and many other vocations. These programs reflect the needs the county has and the opportunities Jefferson College presents to meet those needs.
Boyer: With the retirement of incumbent trustees, there is a void in experience and leadership on the board. I will be ready to serve my community on day one and ensure that the board continues to save taxpayer dollars, provide a great education to our high school graduates and adults transitioning to their new careers, and ensure that tuition costs remain affordable.
Hargis: If reelected to the Jefferson College Board of Trustees, my focus will be on strengthening academic programs, supporting students and faculty and ensuring responsible financial management. My goals include keeping tuition and fees low while maintaining high-quality education; ensuring programs align with current job market needs in health care, information technology, skilled trades and emerging industries; promoting transparency and accountability in budgeting and spending; and staying on the cutting edge of technology to make sure students are prepared to meet the demands of the 21st century.
