In the De Soto School District, there are nine candidates on the April 8 ballot for the three available seats on the Board of Education. Incumbents John Freeman and Gene Moses will face challengers David Dews, Bruce Howard, Jeff Ketcherside, Tim Martin, John M. Scullin, Mark Ferrell and Tarrole Milfeld.
Terms are three years.
Dews, 54, lives at 1618 N. Sixth Street. He is married to Patty and has two children. He holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration, accounting and chemistry from Columbia College and has been the city manager in De Soto since 1999. He also serves as the city’s emergency management director and floodplain administrator. Before coming to De Soto, he was the city administrator in Fayette, Mo. Before that, he worked several years in the private sector, including jobs with a utility company in north-central Missouri and a civil and environmental engineering firm in Columbia. He has extensive experience with civic organizations and volunteer work, as well as considerable experience serving on boards and commissions at the local, regional, and state level.
He is a member of the Highway 21 Task Force (since 1999); De Soto Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (2003-2011 and 2013, serving as president for four years); the De Soto Fireworks Committee (since 2003, serving as co-chair during that time); Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County Board of Directors (since 1999, serving as chairman for the past nine years); Jefferson County Growth Association (since 2004); Missouri Economic Development Council (since 1995); Missouri Floodplain Managers Association (since 1999); Missouri City/County Management Association (since 1995); the Board of Directors of the Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (since 2002, serving as chairman from 2004-2013); and Rotary International (since 1995, serving the De Soto club as president in 2003).
Howard, 50, lives at 3944 Wilkinson Road. He and his wife, Tammara, have four children. He holds an associate degree in computers, with more than 100 hours in trade and core classes; St. Louis county and city mechanical licenses; and TABB certification. He is employed in construction for Sheet Metal Workers Local 36. He volunteers regularly for school and community events, the Arnold food pantry, Special Olympics and De Soto Stocking Stuffers.
Ketcherside, 48, lives at 208 S. Grand. He and his wife of 30 years, Vicky Ketcherside, have five daughters. He is self-employed in the lawn care business, and also works as a substitute teacher. He is a graduate of De Soto High and holds an associate degree in applied technology from Jefferson College. He volunteered with the De Soto Little League from 2005 to 2012. He worked for the school district as a summer temporary employee in the maintenance department, then later as the district ISS coordinator. His wife is a secretary at De Soto Junior High.
Martin, 37, lives at 13735 Willow Wind Drive. He and his wife, Melissa Martin, have two children. He is a graduate of De Soto High and served a Mineral Area College ironworker's apprenticeship in 2001. He has been employed since 1996 as a union ironworker with Ironworkers Local 396 in St. Louis. He has been a manager and coach with the Desoto Little League since 2010.
Freeman, 76, lives at 160 Ronny Drive. He and his wife, Sue, have two children and four grandchildren. He is retired after 29 years with the De Soto School District and 23 years with Missouri Baptist University. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana in Monroe and a doctoral degree from St. Louis University. He has served 12 years on the De Soto board, and is active with Contact, local food pantries, the Rotary Club and P.R.I.D.E.
Moses, 80, lives at 916 W. Kelley. He and his wife, Margie, have one child and one grandchild. Their daughter, Cyndie, is a special education teacher at De Soto High School. The Rev. Moses is a retired minister, having served as pastor at Community Church of God for more than 30 years. He is a graduate of De Soto High School and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Anderson University. He served on the De Soto Park Board from 1977 to 2005; was president of the De Soto Rotary Club in 1985-1986; served with the Jefferson County Community Partnership from 1994 to 2010; and served as president of De Soto Contact and Food Pantry. He currently is a member and treasurer of the De Soto Ministerial Alliance, and has served 12 years on the school board.
Scullin, 42, lives at 321 Margies Way. He and his wife, Tammie, have two children and one grandchild. He is a sales manager for Demers Ambulance Manufacturer, in Beloeil, Quebec, Canada. He has been with the company since 2011, and manages direct and dealer sales of ambulances throughout the U.S. to hospitals and private and municipal fire and EMS agencies. He served as chief of the North Jefferson County Ambulance District from 2005 to 2011 and is in his first term on the board of the Jefferson County Health Department. He is in his second term as a board member and current chair of 911 Dispatch. He graduated from Fox High School and from Jefferson College EMT and paramedic programs. He has been a board member of the Missouri Ambulance Association since 2007, and has been a volunteer firefighter lieutenant with the De Soto Rural Fire Protection District.
Ferrell, 45, lives at 205 S. Washington. He and his wife, Renee Ferrell, have three children. He is a graduate of De Soto High School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Anderson University in Indiana. He is employed as the social services manager with the, Jefferson County Family Support Division. He is a pastor of worship at De Soto Community Church of God. Since 2000 he has served as treasurer, committee chairman, Cubmaster, chaplain, fundraising trailblazer and other positions at the Cub Scout and Boy Scout levels. He was a De Soto Little League coach and volunteer from 2000 to 2005, a YMCA coach in 2000-2001 and a youth leader at De Soto Community Church of God from 1990 to 2000. He was a substitute teacher in the school district from 1988 to 1990, leaving to pursue full-time employment. His sister, Melanie Downs, is a teacher at Athena Elementary.
Milfeld, 56, lives at 14500 Hwy. 21. She and her husband of 33 years, Felix Milfeld, have three children. She holds an associate degree from Jefferson College, a bachelor’s degree from Maryville University and a master’s degree from Webster University. She completed additional coursework throughout the years in order to remain current on best practices in education. She retired in July 2012 after a 30-year career as a teacher at Vineland Elementary in the school district. During that time, she served on multiple district committees and mentored numerous new teachers. Her husband has been the head soccer coach at De Soto High School for 15 years.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Dews: A school district should be about producing individuals who are poised for the next phase of their life. In order for that to occur, several items need to be in place. We need to attract and retain the best possible administrators, teachers and staff; our facilities need to be safe and conducive to a proper learning environment; curriculum, textbooks, and materials need to be current; and proper rules and regulations need to be adopted to facilitate maximum learning opportunities. I believe the district has room for improvement in these areas, and building a consensus on how best to move forward is the biggest challenge.
Howard: An open line of communication between the school district and the community.
Ketcherside: 1. Low test scores – Have administrators and teachers work together to raise scores. 2. Student safety – Have police resource officers in the buildings. Closing in the building between the junior high and high school would also help safety issues. 3. Bullying – Mandatory reporting on any bullying issues that may arise. Have guest speakers come in to talk with students about the issue. 4. Administrators not involved in the community – Make administrators live within a specified distance from city limits. Then they would shop, bank, and be involved in community activities.
Martin: Some of the problems that I see are: child safety, funds for classroom supplies, overcrowding, low accreditation scores, outdated equipment, lack of fencing/gating, inadequate outside play area, unprofessionalism, use of cell phones by staff during school hours, etc. I plan to seek out all possible solutions by researching and exploring all options. I will keep an open ear to all ideas brought to my attention.
Freeman: With some grade level subject content scores not being sufficient, we have requested a focus on those areas falling below state averages and to be apprised of any budgetary curriculum needs. To notify patrons about curriculum initiatives, extracurricular activities, recognition of student, teacher, administrator, and staff achievements, we are looking at better usage of technology and media. The board is reviewing intruder prevention and possibly more cameras. I have regularly raised the need for bus loading safety. Passage of the April 8 bond issue will allow all student loading and unloading behind the junior and high school. Students would thus not risk being hit by a vehicle. Emergency vehicles would also not be blocked before and after school.
Moses: Continue to establish a strong financial basis and being wise in spending. Evaluate the curriculum with the goal of giving teachers more teaching time and less paperwork, resulting in greater student achievement.
Scullin: As with any other public entity, ensuring the continued balance of needs and wants in providing the expected services of the district while remaining practical and fiscally responsible. Being stewards of tax dollars is not an easy job, and comes with a lot of responsibility. Drug and alcohol abuse is a nationwide problem, not specific to De Soto. The board members must continue to be vigilant in their analysis of the issue and how it affects the district. Is drug testing the answer? Is education the answer? Maybe both? I don’t know the answer, but if elected I promise to be diligent in finding a solution that meets the district’s needs and respects the rights of all involved.
Ferrell: I prefer to look at the following as challenges instead of problems. The biggest challenge facing schools today is the lack of parental involvement. Many children do not receive any support or encouragement from home. Studies show that children with parental involvement do better in school. Other challenges are the need to continually improve graduation rates, student retention rates and student success on assessment tests. With these tests changing with the upcoming school year this will be an additional challenge. Another ongoing challenge is improving communications between the school and parents, parents and the school, and the staff and administration. No matter how well we communicate, we need to always look for better communication methods.
Milfeld: The school district has diminished in its rankings in comparison to the surrounding school districts. Data needs to be analyzed to find the strengths and weakness of new concepts, strategies, and programs adopted by the district. Also, there has been a collapse of unity between staff, board members, and community. A lack of unity is a symptom of ineffective communications. Open, honest and transparent communications needs to be the rule and not the exception. The best way to work with people is to be credible and reliable. I will rely on the skills I used in the classroom in order to be an effective communicator.
What is your position on the $9 million bond issue to fund new construction in the district?
Dews: I stated earlier there are opportunities to improve the learning environment. And yes, facilities play a role in that discussion. It’s easy to spend other people’s money, but I cannot do so without ample due diligence. As of the time this survey was due to be returned to the Leader, I was still researching and contemplating the proposed improvements. I encourage you to do the same, because at the end of the day, your opinion is all that matters.
Howard: As long as the $9 million is used wisely, I do not have a problem with it.
Ketcherside: I support the bond issue.
Martin: I support the bond issue overall, although I would like to see a few things change in the plans before initial construction. Bottom line is we need the space. To ensure the best education for the kids we must continue to grow. This bond issue will not be money wasted, but money invested into nothing better than our students’ education. De Soto is the city of PRIDE; let’s continue to build that pride in our schools.
Freeman: I fully support this bond issue. The 2002 board, administration, and district architect adopted a long-range facility plan; the board has diligently carried out all bond issues since. The bond issue will address safety issues at all buildings. Many remember the inadequately sized high school cafeteria, still inadequate for junior high students squeezing in. A new cafeteria will seat grades 7-12, reducing four lunch periods to three, and gaining extra time for instruction. Vineland’s 800 kids will get a new gymnasium with the old gym becoming a spacious library, and additional classrooms will be built. Athena will receive heating and air conditioning updates and parking improvements. Patrons are pleased with past updates; so will they be with these new improvements.
Moses: I am in favor of the bond issue. I know that with the present economic situation, things might be a little tight for families, but with the passage of the bond issue we could focus on essential needs for growth in our district.
Scullin: I support the bond issue. In researching the project and discussing it with school administration and district residents, I believe the issue is well thought out and provides a clear plan on use of the funds. Overcrowding continues to be a problem at several schools and additional classroom space is essential to operations. De Soto is the third-lowest school district when comparing Jefferson County tax levy information. That tells me the district has done more, with less, and will continue to be fiscally responsible and proactive. If you don’t constantly re-evaluate infrastructure and maintain it you will quickly find yourself behind and it will take even more to catch up.
Ferrell: I fully support the bond issue to Keep Improving De Soto Schools. Anytime we can provide our students and staff with better facilities and improve services provided it is good for the students and the community. This bond issues makes sense as it is being done with no tax increase to the taxpayer. Our schools are the most valuable asset in which we should fully support in any way possible. As a community we will benefit greatly with the improvements and upgrades that will be completed with the passage of the bond issue.
Milfeld: While an argument can be made in support of the projects and renovations in the bond proposal, input from key stakeholders is absent! Increasing the tax levy by 18 cents without a vote of the public and later asking voters to approve a “no tax increase” bond proposal to pay for the projects is not going to build good will and a spirit of partnership with the community. Full transparency is lacking and I believe it endangers the relationship between the school district and community. Full disclosure and full transparency could only have been possible by asking the public to approve an 18-cent tax increase to pay for the projects, and let the proposal stand on its own merit.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Dews: The success of the district lies within its people, and one of the keys is having the right mix. I have served on both sides of the aisle (as a board member and as staff serving under the direction of a board). I believe that gives me a unique perspective to see an issue from both sides. For the past 20 years, I have managed a multimillion dollar governmental entity and am familiar with the associated challenges. The basic frameworks of a school district and a municipal government are similar, and I believe that makes me the right choice to serve the community as a member of the school board.
Howard: I will provide an open line off communication between the community and the school district. It would be beneficial to the school district to have someone on the school board who has a student in school.
Ketcherside: I am a lifelong resident of De Soto. I have had three daughters graduate from the district and two who are currently in the district. Having worked for the district as a substitute teacher and ISS coordinator, I have some knowledge of the inner workings of the district. I will bring a different perspective to the Board of Education because I have children within the district. My goals are to raise test scores, make sure students are safe when attending school. And bring back DRAGON PRIDE within the athletic department.
Martin: My goals are to make the district a better place for our community and, most importantly, our children. At age 37 I can bring fresh ideas to the table from a generation that has young children in school. I myself have two sons, five nieces, and seven nephews in the district, ranging from preschool to high school. I will base all decisions on a viewpoint of the taxpayers, parents, administration, teachers, staff, bus drivers, and, of course, the students. My goal is to surpass the highest accredited school in Jefferson County, assure the safety of our children and support a drug program that educates our kids and parents on how to deal with all situations related to drug abuse.
Freeman: After 29 years in teaching and administration and 12 years on the board, there should be no doubt about my love for the Dragons. I strive to make positive decisions regarding students’ education and school district betterment. I believe De Soto patrons desire a challenging curriculum and outstanding school facilities. When elected in 2002, I believed patrons would support our schools if we had a good curriculum and instruction plan, hired the best teachers, administrators, and support staff. That was my only agenda then – and now. I am just one of seven board members. Each has a responsibility to act ethically, to not get involved in special interest groups, and to take any concerns first to the superintendent.
Moses: I have served the district for the past few years, and with that service I have gained valuable experience. I believe that this experience will help me to greater understand the needs of the district, how to listen and how to solve problems and initiate things that are good for our district.
Scullin: I have a proven track record of public service and responsible, practical, common-sense decision making on boards. Decisions are made after researching all of the facts and looking at current and future impact of every vote taken. Possibly most importantly, I am not related to any employees of the district, and I have no ax to grind, no hidden agendas. If elected, I will work with the rest of the board to continue to make De Soto an outstanding school district. I encourage all voters to read the responses of all candidates and vote based on what they believe is best way to ensure learning, growth, and success for all students.
Ferrell: My goal is to be a voice for parents. The current board lacks the representation of a parent with students currently enrolled in the district. Parents are one of the most important keys to the success of the district. As a lifelong resident and supporter of De Soto, I hope to be that voice. As manager of the Family Support Division, I work with interpreting state and federal policies. This experience will be valuable in the work of the board, as writing and implementing policy is one of their main duties. I would also strive to be someone the faculty and staff would feel comfortable coming to with their concerns and questions.
Milfeld: I have the benefit of 30 years in the classroom and continued education to keep informed of the best practices that promote student achievement. This provided me the insight to aid in decision-making through data and facts. As chairperson for the Professional Development Committee, I was a leader in promoting high quality professional development, became familiar with district policies and gained an understanding of the district budget. My goals as a school board member are: 1. Promote student performance. Everything else we do as a school district revolves around this. 2. Attract and retain high quality staff. Our staff is our greatest resource. 3. Practice data-driven decision-making. The best decisions are based on proper analysis and interpretation of relevant data.