To assist voters to make informed choices in the June 2 municipal election (rescheduled from April) and to accommodate those who wish to cast absentee ballots, the Leader will present its Voters Guide on its website. Each day, a new contested race or ballot issue will be posted at myleaderpaper.com.
Absentee voting for the June 2 election is open now. Absentee voters can cast their ballots at the Jefferson County Administration Center, 729 Maple St., Hillsboro, or by mail. The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot is May 20. To request a mail-in ballot or for other information concerning the election, call the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office at 636-797-5486.
Today, we focus on candidates for the Windsor C-1 Board of Education. Tomorrow, profiles of candidates for the Jefferson R-7 Board of Education.
When deciding on who should fill three seats on the seven-member Board of Education, voters in the Windsor C-1 School District will decide on June 2 whether to maintain the status quo or shake things up, at least slightly.
All three incumbents have filed for new three year terms – Michael Scott Brothers, Timothy C. McCraw and Dan Shaul – but Frances A. Newkirk, who served 12 years on the Antonia Fire Protection District’s Board of Directors – is seeking to unseat one of them.
McCraw was first appointed to the board in 2004, and is seeking his sixth full term. Brothers and Shaul both are seeking their fourth terms.
School board members are not paid.
BROTHERS, 53, lives at 1933 The Woods Circle in Barnhart. He and his wife, Kate, have four children, all of whom attended Windsor schools, and a granddaughter. He is a vice president and portfolio manager for US Bank.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University in 1989.
McCRAW, 66, lives at 7560 Hillcress Court in Barnhart. He and his wife, Susan, have two children and two grandchildren. He has worked for 27 years for Re-Max Results Realty.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Tarkio (Mo.) College in 1979.
His daughter, Taylor Knupp, is a nurse at Windsor High School.
SHAUL, 51, lives at 925 Falcon Drive in Imperial. He and his wife, Kim, have three children. He is executive director of the Missouri Grocers Association and is the current District 113 representative in the state House of Representatives.
He earned an associate degree in aviation technology from Parks College in 1992.
NEWKIRK, 75, lives at 36 Huntleigh Woods in Barnhart. She and her husband, Glen, have three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is retired.
She attended classes at Jefferson College.
What experience do you have that might serve you well in this position?
Brothers: In addition to my years on board, including serving as treasurer, I have been chairman of the Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber of Commerce board, treasurer of the Parkton Homeowners Association and Pi Kappa Alpha Housing Corp. I have 31 years of experience in banking and finance.
McCraw: I have served on the board since 2004, and have been the board president for nine of those 15 years. Windsor has made tremendous progress in academics, financials and facilities.
Shaul: I have served on the Windsor C-1 Board of Education since 2011 and in the Missouri House of Representatives since 2015.
Newkirk: I served on the Antonia Fire Protection District’s Board of Directors from 2000-2012, I was on the Make A Wish Foundation board for 12 years and the Habitat for Humanity board for six years.
What are the biggest problems facing the school district and how would you address them?
Brothers: Attracting and retaining top talent, particularly in science, technology and math. This can be accomplished by providing facilities and tools to make their jobs easier. We must also continue with what we have established over the past decade and make sure we use tax money efficiently and effectively. We need to make sure we provide an education that prepares our students for the 21st century economy by making sure they have access to not only higher-level college prep classes, but also access to learning that prepare them for careers in the vocational and technical sectors.
McCraw: It is imperative to prepare our students for the many vocations that will be available in the 21st century.
Shaul: Retaining the high-quality staff we have at Windsor. I will continue to focus on increasing the amount of funds spent in and on classroom education. By doing this we will be able to retain the finest teachers and attract the best and brightest teachers to. I will remain focused on adopting policies and procedures, providing the tools and resources to teachers and students alike, that will ensure that the district remains the epicenter for excellence in education it has become over the last nine years.
Newkirk: I have not formed any opinion nor am I aware of any issues.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Brothers: I have always been inspired by the efforts of my wife, a 30-year educator and administrator, and the difference she made in the lives of countless children in this area. I have been proud of the accomplishments we have made as a district. While the list of accolades is long, there is always room for improvement. My experience on the board and particularly in my professional life make me an ideal candidate to continue implementing my goal of collaborating with administrators and staff to make improvements.
McCraw: The above will be achieved through technological expansion and by providing opportunities and exposure to the various educational and vocational trends. We have made very wise decisions in the past 21 years in refinancing our existing bonds, saving $7,119,309 in interest. This has allowed our district to improve in every area. I started working with the district in 1998 by chairing a bond issue campaigns. We have not lost a bond issue since. I, the other board members, administrators, teachers and other employees have contributed to Windsor’s success.
Shaul: I have been an active member of the district for more than 18 years as a parent and volunteer. If re-elected, I will continue to ensure our students are college or career ready upon graduation and maintain growth in performance. I will continue to focus on financial stability while increasing funding for classroom instruction. I have the leadership experience necessary to ensure that our community’s tax dollars are spent responsibly.
Newkirk: I offer life skills and, having worked with children, I will bring a positive attitude to assist the items on the table to be resolved.