Voters in the Northwest R-1 School District will choose two school board candidates in the April 7 election from among three candidates.
Both incumbents – Chris Shelton and Victoria K. James – have filed for re-election. Shelton is seeking his third term and James her second. Sherry Ziegler is looking to unseat one of the incumbents.
The winners will serve three-year terms.
James did not return a Leader questionnaire.
SHELTON, 46, lives at 4987 Devon Drive, House Springs. He and his wife, Kerri, have three children and one grandchild.
He owns Shelton Collision.
A high school graduate, he has served in leadership roles for the First Baptist Church of House Springs, the Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and for many community events.
His wife, a brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law and a cousin all teach in the district.
ZIEGLER, 49, listed her address as P.O. Box 43 in House Springs, and, when she filed, gave 9178 Brittany Woods West in Cedar Hill as her address. She has two children.
She does graphic design and website development for ZEC LLC.
A graduate of SouthCountyTechnicalSchool, she has taken several college courses. She assisted with multiple campaigns in 2014 and works part-time as a district liaison for State Sen. Paul Wieland.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Shelton: The biggest problem is the state not funding the education formula like it said it would.
Ziegler: ■ Problem: Political indoctrination through education. How would I address it? Get back to basics in education.
■ Problem: Federal government overreach. How would I address it? Create a vision for parents and students to understand the importance and opportunity in local control.
■ Problem: Lack of basic preparation for our children. How would I address it? Get back to basics.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Shelton: During my time on the board, I have never had a personal agenda or an ax to grind, I make all my decisions from the information I receive and what I think is the right decision. From the experience I have gained, I have a pretty good idea of how a school district works.
Ziegler: I will listen to the people. I will gain the understanding of the big picture and how to communicate the vision for a strong independent education and the successful future we can have for our children.
What is your opinion on the district's April 7 ballot issue?
Shelton: The last thing I wanted to do is ask taxpayers (myself included) for an increase. But for the district to continue to operate in the manner that it has, we must increase the revenue. A lot of people have ideas about school finance, whether it be deeper cuts or how previous money has been spent. But in the end, we must increase revenue. The lack of commercial industry in our area hurts us immensely; we have to rely on a residential tax base, which is very burdensome. Without a tax increase, will our district still function? Yes, but business will not be the same. It would look drastically different, and that is not a scare tactic. It is a fact.
Ziegler: I have heard both sides; I am interested in learning more and sharing with others what I understand the differences to be and how they can be opportunities.