Six people are running for three seats in the April 4 election for the Grandview R-2 Board of Education.
Two of the three incumbents are seeking re-election, as Dion Moore and Terry Perren each are seeking fifth three-year terms.
The other incumbent, Randy Wakeland, is not seeking another term. He has served on the board since 2007.
Challengers to the established board members include Amber Dunn, Kenneth James Ramsey, Pam Tisher and Steve Kuczka.
Tisher and Perren did not return Leader candidate questionnaires.
DUNN, 44, lives at 10746 S. Horseshoe Road, Dittmer. She and her husband, Jim, have three children, four stepchildren and two grandchildren. She is a teacher and director of the medical assistant program for East Central College. She received a bachelor’s degree in health science from Central Michigan University in 2016 and is pursuing a master’s degree in health profession education from Excelsior College. She is a volunteer at Lift Up Springfield Clinic for the Needy and taught certified medical assistant classes at Grace’s Place.
MOORE, 45, lives at 10055 Hwy. C, Hillsboro. He and his wife, Jeannie, have two children. He is an operating engineer and job foreman in general construction.
RAMSEY, 61, lives at 23 Landolt Lane, Hillsboro. He and his wife, Sheila, have six children and five grandchildren. He is a retired chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy. He also worked in radio communications. He has an associate degree in business and has attended the University of Maryland and St. Louis Community College at Meramec. He is involved with school fundraisers and teen leadership. He was involved with Parents as Teachers, a teen leadership class, school fundraisers, was a chair of a local Boy Scout council and was president of the Newport Landing subdivision homeowners association.
KUCZKA, 54, lives at 8849 Sorrell Woods Road, Dittmer. He and his wife, Jean, have five children and five grandchildren. He has been the president and co-owner of Accounting and Tax Services Inc. He has attended college. Kuczka is a trustee for the Oak Woods subdivision homeowners association and has been a board member of the Northeast Public Sewer District and a trustee for the Antire Valley subdivision.
What are the biggest problems facing the school district and how would you address them?
Dunn: Bullying is a huge problem. We need to educate the staff and students at a young age about bullying. Special-needs students need to make sure their IEPs (individual education plans) are followed. The students need to be taught empathy. We need to do education with the students on special-needs kids. We need to make sure the staff is up to date on their field of education.
Moore: Enrollment is actually the biggest problem. We have had declining enrollment for several years. We need to concentrate on student achievement and we need to offer high-quality programs to attract students. Grandview has only a few businesses that pay taxes, so we rely heavily on state funding to operate. We all know that school funding is always getting cut by the state. All county school districts should share commercial tax revenue, since the county government decides where to put commercial and residential development.
Ramsey: Fiscal oversight, student test scores and teacher retention. Adding checks and balances to ensure that one person does not have too much control over expenditures with school money. We need more teacher input to help find solutions to help improve scores and better pay for our teachers to help retain our best talent.
Kuczka: Fiscal responsibilities and budgetary issues continue to be an issue for the district. I would use my 31 years of experience in accounting to maximize the district’s budgetary needs. Grandview’s teachers are among the lowest-paid in Jefferson County, making it difficult to attract and retain highly qualified teachers. I will commit to exploring the options to increase teacher salaries.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Dunn: I need to be elected for our special needs students. They need a voice in regard to their IEPs. School policies need to take that clientele into account when writing policies. My other goal is to get rid of bullying 100 percent no matter what. Too many kids are affected and there is simply no need for it. Another goal is to make sure staff is up to date with training.
Moore: I have experience and a lot of knowledge. I work well with others to get things done. In my 12 years on the board, I have always thought of the students first and done what is best for our district. If elected, I will continue to do these things, to help our district grow and set high goals for everyone. The district needs an auditorium, something that will replace the elementary gym. The new building could still function as a gym but also as a learning center for the community.
Ramsey: I will listen to your concerns, work with parents, staff and students to improve the quality of education to all in our school. I will listen to new ideas, try to implement the best ideas our people have while explaining when we can’t try some things. I would work to improve test scores, improve teacher pay and morale and be fiscally responsible.
Kuczka: I have lived in the district for nine years. A daughter graduated from Grandview in 2013 and one is a freshman. I have a vested interest in making sure that Grandview's students are competent and career- and college-ready. As a great listener with an open mind, I will be bringing a lot of new ideas to the table. This along with my common sense will ensure the future success of the district.