Residents of the Fox C-6 School District will be assured of electing at least one new member of the district’s Board of Education in the April 7 election.
Two seats are up for grabs; one is vacant after Cheryl Hermann resigned after 14 years on the board in the wake of the board’s decision to rescind the employment of her daughter.
The other seat currently is held by David Palmer, who is seeking his fifth, nonconsecutive three-year term.
Palmer is joined in the race by Chris Hastings, Sherry “Chellew” Poppen, Drew Kriese, Mark Jones and Robin Hanson.
HASTINGS, 32, lives at 2428 Waterfront Drive, Imperial. He and his wife, Amanda, have two children. He is a project director at ICS Construction Services. He received a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College in 2005. He has been a member of Eagle Point Community Church since 2010.
POPPEN, 71, lives at 5367 S. Bellerieve Lane, Imperial. She and her husband, the late Ronald G. Poppen, have four children and four grandchildren. She is a retired secretary and administrative assistant for the district.
A 1961 graduate of Fox High School, she is the sister of Jim Chellew, former district superintendent.
She was a member of the Jefferson County Association of Education Office Personnel and that group’s treasurer for two years. She was a member of National Education Association, the Fox 40 Steering Committee and the Fox High School Class of 1961 Reunion Committee. She also was a Girl Scout leader.
Her son teaches in the district and her daughter is a middle school secretary.
KRIESE, 37, lives at 2283 Sonora Drive, Arnold. He and his wife, Christy, have four children. He is an area director for Taco Bell Missouri.
A 1997 graduate from Crystal City High School, Kreise is a volunteer with the St. Louis Food Bank and several food pantries, is a youth sports coach and is a member of Oak Bridge Community Church. He also is a foster-adoptive parent.
JONES, 48, lives at 401 Winter Lake Circle, Fenton. He and his wife, Cherie, have three sons.
He is a senior consultant for Intervolve Inc. and the owner of Jones Creative.
A 1985 graduate of Fox High School, he has an associate degree in biblical studies, 122 college credit hours and many information technology certifications. He has volunteered for a number of charitable and community organizations, including Twin Rivers Worship Center.
PALMER, 58, lives at 2045 Oak Drive, Arnold. He and his wife, Georgette, have five children and nine grandchildren.
He is an emergency room pharmacist at St. Anthony’s Medical Center. He earned a degree in pharmacy from St. Louis College of Pharmacy and a master’s degree in management from Webster University.
In addition to his tenure on the school board, Palmer was an Arnold councilman from 1996 to 2001.
He is very active in his church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, ministry leader in Celebrate Recovery and he has taken several mission trips.
His wife is a director of nursing for the school district. His son, Jacob, is a teacher in the district, as is a niece, Stephanie Kupferle.
HANSON, 53, lives at 103 Hinrichs Lane, Arnold. She and her wife, Tina, have four children.
She is president of C.C. Degree LLC and a part-time college teacher of American history, American government, cultural anthropology and sociology.
Hanson received a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies in 1997 and a master’s degree in human relations in 1998, both from the University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in anthropology from California State University-East Bay in 2004 and a doctorate from St. Louis University in 2008.
She has been a member of the Arnold Historical Society since 2012, conducts genealogical research and cemetery headstone restoration at Richardson Cemetery, volunteers with an animal rescue group and with at-risk youth and homeless groups.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Hastings: The decline in funding for all of our programs. These programs are vital in providing a quality education. When examining the budget, these are issues that need to be addressed by the board. We need to make certain that these programs are kept in place and properly. It’s imperative to address these issues by receiving input from students, teachers and community members, as well as making sure our district maintains fiscal strength today and into the future.
Poppen: Fiscal management is always a challenge. It is important that every penny is spent to support and improve instructional programming and competitive salaries to retain and attract qualified staff. The budget must be closely monitored to do so. The district has in the past enjoyed a very positive image. Recently, we have stumbled and our image has taken a hit. My real estate background has made me aware of the impact a district’s image has on our property values. I will work very hard to restore our district’s image to what the community has earned and deserves.
Kriese: This year we have multiple things facing us. From my talking with teachers and the community, these are the top problems:
■ Regaining our integrity back.
■ The budget deficit we are faced with over the next couple of years.
■ The most important factor never changes, which is to put our students in the best possible situation to be successful for their future. Every year some things change, but the goal never does – answering the question, “What is best for our kids, staff and our community?” We do this by being fiscally responsible and allowing teachers to have the best situation to work with our students.
Jones: Poor, past financial decisions need to be corrected, public trust needs to be rebuilt and standards need to be raised.
Palmer: The budget is turning around, but it still needs more work. We need to promote from within when the candidates are as qualified as outside candidates, even if it is not popular, because it helps our staff, students and community. We need to develop a board that can be approached by all parties without fear of repercussions, which we currently do not have.
Hanson: The educational foundation of our schools. Board members must get out into the schools and talk with teachers and students to learn what they need. The board also needs a two-way dialogue with parents to increase the transparency of the board activities and to address parental concerns. The board also needs to focus on the educational environment of our schools. Administrators, teachers and staff must be hired based on ability, not who they know or who they’re related to in the community. Finally, teachers must be allowed to teach – cookie-cutter programs don’t work and the teachers are the best to judge the most effective way to teach their students.
Why should voters elect you to this position?
Hastings: ■ 1. To better the education of our children. I want to work to create policies that are effective, enforceable, and beneficial to our student’s growth.
■ 2. Regain community trust. I would like to facilitate more transparency within the community. Through community involvement, the board can gain trust and additional perspectives throughout the decision-making process. As a new board member, I will bring sharp questions, innovative ideas and a fresh energy. With my passion for education and resources, I would be a great asset.
Poppen: I have, for the last 16 years, worked with students, parents, certified and classified staff and administrators on a daily basis. I have witnessed how board decisions impact a school building and the morale of students, staff and parents. My experience in a school building will be a significant and valuable addition to the board.
Because I am retired, I have the time to devote to being a board member. I will be visible and available to parents, students and staff. I am a voice of integrity, common sense, compassion and fairness. It is my goal to see our students graduate to become productive citizens and leaders.
Kriese: I have a vested interest in the district as my four children attend two different buildings. Above anything else, I have a passion for making a difference for all students and getting input from all teachers.
My goals would include:
■ Creating a positive working environment for our employees.
■ Making good and moral choices that help our kids succeed while bringing integrity back to the district.
■ Reallocating resources for our classrooms.
Jones: I am honest and will work hard. My goals are to:
■ Put our kids first.
■ Protect your tax dollars.
■ Produce college- and career-ready graduates.
Palmer: Student achievement is a given for me. We must give the kids the supplies, books and technology they need to be successful. We also must take care of all employees and not create an atmosphere of fear, which I believe we currently have. I do not support outsourcing jobs.
Hanson: I have two children in the district and have spent my life in education. I understand the struggles many of our children will face and can help identify the steps the board can take to modify the pitfalls our students face as they move through school. I am in no way related to the existing board or administration and want to be a part of helping to regain the prestige our district deserves. I will work to renew trust in the board through increased transparency in board activities. I would shift expenditures to ensure students have the books, tools and technology they need to excel, and provide resources and pay to keep our teachers.