Residents of the Rockwood School District may see as many as four new faces on the district’s Board of Education in the weeks to come.
Three seats will be contested in the April 4 election, and five people have come forward to fill them – incumbents Lynne Midyett and Keith Kinder plus challengers Randy Kirk Miller, Tamara Jo Rhomberg and Sudhirkumar R. Brahmbhatt.
Kinder is seeking his third term.
Midyett was appointed to the board in June 2016 to replace Rob Castle, who resigned in the middle of his first three-year term, until the April election. She did not file to fill out the last year of Castle’s seat, however, instead opting to run for a full three-year term.
The one-year term to fill Castle’s spot will not appear on the ballot as only Matt Doehl, the board president whose second three-year term expires this year, was the only candidate to file for the partial term.
The other incumbent, Dominique Paul, opted not to run for a second three-year term.
Finally, the new board must appoint someone to replace Herman Kriegshauser, who was appointed to the board in 2014 and then elected to a full term the next year. The person appointed will serve until April 2018. Officials have indicated that they may consider someone who doesn’t win the April 4 spot as the appointee.
MIDYETT, 65, lives at 2336 Kettington Road, Clarkson Valley. She and her husband, Lin, have two children and five grandchildren. She is a retired assistant superintendent for partner districts for the Special School District of St. Louis County. She also has worked as an administrator and teacher. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from University of Missouri in Columbia, a master’s degree in special education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and an education administration degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She is involved with the Assistance League of St. Louis and the University of Missouri College of Education Alumni Board. She previously was involved with the St. Louis System of Care, BJC Behavioral Health Advisory Board, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education, St. Louis Local Administrators of Special Education and with parent-teacher organizations.
MILLER, 43, lives at 1356 Sand Key Court, Fenton. He and his wife, Angela, have a son. He is a stay-at-home parent after working for 16 years building and installing smart home systems and home electronics. He is a graduate of Pacific High School and has many electronics certifications. He is serving his second term as the president of Stanton Elementary PTO.
Miller has an aunt who is an elementary school secretary and a cousin who is an elementary school teacher in the district.
KINDER, 69, lives at 523 Terrington Drive, Ballwin. He and his wife, Ronda Sue, have two children and three grandchildren. He is an assistant professor at Maryville University and a graduate instructor at Maryville’s School of Education. He received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Southeast Missouri State University in 1968, a master’s degree from Central Missouri State University in 1972, a master’s degree in educational administration from University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1976, and an educational doctorate from St. Louis University in 1991.
Kinder previously worked for the district as an associate principal of Lafayette High School and then Marquette High School before he was named principal of Eureka High School for seven years. He retired in 2003.
His daughter, Emily McCown, is an associate principal at Rockwood Summit High School.
RHOMBERG, 70, lives at 1860 E. Branch Road, Fenton. She is an education consultant for TJR Education LLC and is a retired teacher for the Lindbergh School District. She also was a reading specialist at Kellison Elementary School in the Rockwood School District and was the K-5 reading intervention coordinator. She also has worked for SMART Academy, was a consultant for Zaner-Bloser Publishing Co. and was an adjunct instructor for 23 years at Webster, Lindenwood and Maryville universities. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree in educational processes from Maryville University and an administrative certificate from Lindenwood University. She is the president of the Missouri Reading Association of the International Reading Association and vice president-elect of Alpha Delta Kappa Beta Xi Chapter. She has also been a Girl Scout leader and summer camp director, taught religious classes and served as the St. Paul Parish Council president, and served on the OASIS Institute as director and adviser.
BRAHMBHATT, 65, lives at 1700 Countrytop Court, Glencoe. He and his wife, Ashaben, have two children. He is the president and founder of the nonprofit Center for Indian Cultural Education-Bal Vihar of St. Louis. He is also president and founder of Technology Services Inc. He received a master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., a master’s degree in business administration in international management and marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in East Rutherford, N.J. and a doctorate in chemical engineering from Kennedy Western University in Idaho in 1991. He hosted a radio program featuring the music of India for 15 years in Allentown. He was the president of the Lafayette High School Parents Association in 1995.
What are the biggest problems facing the school district and how would you address them?
Midyett: Managing student growth and class size. The passage of Proposition T will provide financial resources for facilities and innovative learning. I will ensure appropriate allocation for projects through the budget approval process. I would ensure that everyone who interacts with students throughout the day possesses the best skill set possible. I will facilitate collaboration and accountability of the district’s strategic and professional learning plans. We need to respond to changes at the state and federal levels affecting funding and resources. I will continue connections with the Missouri School Boards Association to stay informed and to advocate for the district.
Miller: ■ Keeping class sizes down to the recommended 20 students or less is imperative for productive learning.
■ Upgrading technology in all buildings will give teachers and students more opportunity to use the latest learning tools and further our STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs.
■ With many aging buildings, the district must maintain all campuses as safe and stimulating learning environments.
Kinder: The major concern is to pass the $95 million bond issue. Passing it allows us to anticipate and keep up with the growth in the Eureka area without further overcrowding We must keep up with the ever-changing curriculum so that we provide a world-class learning experience for all of our students. We need to be competitive with salaries so that we continue to attract the best teachers, administrators and support staff possible.
Rhomberg: Funding. I have always spoken of the need to maintain all facilities. The district needs to continue to seek operating cost savings without infringing on educational needs.
While a decrease in enrollment is projected, it is not equally distributed across all schools and grades. The proposed bond issue is one step, but enrollment will continue to be problematic because even as it falls, costs continue to rise.
Keeping parents and community informed of curriculum and policies is an ongoing issue and the board and superintendent must continue to improve.
Brahmbhatt: Being new to the responsibility, I will have to learn the key issues that the district is facing and the approach the current board is taking. My strong educational background and administrative and management skills that I learned over 35 years in the manufacturing industry, and a strong sense of community service, where I run a nonprofit cultural school for children for more than 25 years. My input will be out-of-the-box approaches in the interest of our children.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Midyett: I believe in the potential of all students, With more than 30 years in public education, including the role of assistant superintendent, I have developed executive leadership skills, expertise in school improvement processes and knowledge of budget development. I understand the importance of teamwork. My goals are to:
■ Ensure a safe and innovative learning environment.
■ Recruit and retain top talent at all levels.
■ Provide high-quality professional learning to ensure staff can meet the needs all students.
■ Maintain fiscal responsibility.
■ Provide strategic planning for continuous improvement.
Miller: I have spent the last four years volunteering countless hours in the district, working with both administrators and teachers. These four years have been the most rewarding of my life. I am extremely passionate about the success of our district and I want to see all students succeed and thrive. My connection to the community, my neighbors, the administrators and students as well as my 16-plus years in a technology based industry will provide me with a voice and a vision to the future of Rockwood.
Kinder: I have the experience as a board member (six years). I am familiar with all aspects of the district (as administrator for 17 years), I have been in every school in the district, many multiple times, and have observed what is happening in classrooms. I am fully aware of the financial constraints we operate under and can use that to help balance the budget. I am familiar with curriculum needs and can use that knowledge to make intelligent decisions.
Rhomberg: I am able to bring my time and talent to the position. I have a wide background of experience as a teacher, an administrator, a private consultant, a parent and a patron, which gives me a broad perspective by which to view issues. I can be objective and open to alternative perspectives, yet focused on what is in the best interest of all students. I have spent my entire educational career being a champion for students and see this opportunity as a way to continue that fight.
Brahmbhatt: I strongly believe my 35-plus years of industry exposure with strong administrative experience, educational background, management skills and strong sense of community service would strongly benefit the district.
My goals would be to:
■ Evaluate current budget limitations and educational standards.
■.Continue board support of educators’ evidence-based practices using innovation and the latest technologies.
■.Promote diversity in the dynamic social climate of our community and prepare children for the future.
The school district is seeking a $95.5 million bond issue extension April 4 for capital improvements, repairs and renovations. Do you favor the bond issue, and why or why not?
Midyett: I support Proposition T. It will provide for a new elementary school to address the expected population growth in the Eureka area and support efforts of desirable class size throughout the district. Proposition T also will provide additional space for the early childhood program, innovative learning spaces, STEM labs and place additional technology in the hands of our students. The proposition is well calculated and designed to maintain long-term fiscal health and cycle maintenance.
Miller: I support the bond issue 100 percent. With an expected 2,300 homes being built in Rockwood, passing Proposition T will provide much-needed funds to build and add on to schools. It also will add STEM rooms to all grade schools as well as finish labs in high schools. Adding STEM programs will give students an edge when graduating. The financial side of the bond issue has been meticulously thought out with regard to paying the debt down while being fiscally responsible to taxpayers.
Kinder: I am 100 percent behind the bond issue. Tremendous growth is occurring in the Eureka quadrant plus we see smaller growth in the other three quadrants. The current facilities in Eureka cannot handle the growth. We need a new, larger elementary school, an addition to Geggie Elementary, and a new wing at Eureka High School. We also will renovate the current Eureka Elementary School to become an early childhood center. We also need new technology districtwide to handle the increased internet demands. All schools need STEM-dedicated areas. The passage also allows us to keep up on the current maintenance schedule and not wait for an emergency to occur.
Rhomberg: I favor this bond extension as it will provide for the upgrade to educational facilities across the district. Eureka is one of the fastest-growing areas and is in need of a new elementary school to accommodate that growth. With the construction of the new elementary, Rockwood will be able to provide a much-needed early childhood center in the Eureka area. The STEM upgrades will only serve to make our students more competitive in future careers.
Brahmbhatt: As a newcomer, it is difficult for me to answer this question, However, my focus will be to ensure the use of the funds is in line with a focus on children’s education and continue high educational standards. I would like to offer innovative ideas by thinking out of the box and use my industry experience to achieve goals.