Voters in the Fox C-6 School District are assured of choosing at least one new member of the Board of Education in the April 3 election. That field includes two former district administrators
One seat is open after Vern Sullivan, who was appointed to replace Sherry Poppen, opted not to run for a full three-year term.
The other incumbent, Chris Hastings, is seeking a second term. He will be joined on the ballot by former assistant superintendent Vicki Hanson, Jim Osia, Avery A. Fortenberry, Joe Laurine and former Superintendent Jim Chellew.
HASTINGS, 35, lives at 2428 Waterfront Drive, Imperial. He and his wife, Amanda, have two children. He works in management for GS&S Construction. Hastings has a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from WestminsterCollege and is a group leader for elementary-age children at EncounterChurch.
HANSON, 66, lives at 5001 Fawn Circle, Imperial with her husband, John. She has two children, three stepchildren and eight grandchildren. She retired from the district in 2008 after serving for 15 years as assistant superintendent for special services and was a special education teacher. She is now an education consultant providing support for students with special needs. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1974, a master’s degree from St. LouisUniversity in 1984 and a degree in applied behavior analysis from PennState in 2003. She is an Oasis tutor and teaches Sunday school at her church. She has been a member of the Kiwanis Club.
Her daughter, Jennifer Ward, teaches eighth-grade history at FoxMiddle School.
OSIA, 43, lives at 2022 Essex Drive, Arnold. He and his wife, Gina, have a daughter. He is a sheet metal and turret operator for True Manufacturing. He attended St. LouisCommunity College. A volunteer at SimpsonElementary School, Osia also has been involved with the comprehensive school improvement plan.
FORTENBERRY, 71, lives at 6604 Crimson Lane, Barnhart. He and his wife, Jann, have four children and six grandchildren. He owns Avery Contracting LLC, which is involved in business management and property ownership, and previously was a global account executive for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. and AT&T. He received a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in communications from MaryvilleUniversity in 1982. He is a member of the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Adjustment. He was on the Board of Directors of the Festus Special Road District from 2005-2007 and served for four years on the Jefferson County Extension Service board.
Fortenberry has been involved in various capacities in the past with Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity, Ride On St. Louis, the JudevineCenter for Autism, the Writers Society of Jefferson County, United Way and numerous subdivision boards.
He also is running in the April 3 election for boards governing Jefferson County 911 Dispatch, the Rock Township Ambulance District and the Antonia Fire Protection District.
LAURINE, 33, lives at 103 Heritage Hills Place, Arnold. He and his wife, Tonia, have four children. He is a government consultant and project manager for OGSystems. He has master’s and doctorate degrees in industrial organizational psychology from Capella University, a graduate certificate in executive and professional coaching from the University of Texas-Dallas, a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Excelsior College and associates degrees in intelligence technology from the Community College of the Air Force and in Persian-Farsi from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. He is the vice president of Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois.
CHELLEW, 69, lives at 2825 E. Springview Drive, Imperial. He and his wife, Emily, have three children and three grandchildren. Chellew worked for Fox C-6 as a substitute teacher, teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent before retiring in 2009. He now is an assistant professor of education and education administration and coordinator of MissouriBaptistUniversity’s ArnoldRegionalLearningCenter.
He received a master’s degree in education administration, superintendent and elementary education certifications and a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from CentralMethodistCollege.
He is a member of the Arnold Rotary Club, a district committee member, assistant Scoutmaster and merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts and a member of the Fox C-6 Foundation.
He has held leadership positions in the Arnold Rotary, Boy Scouts, was a charter member of the Arnold Kiwanis Club and was a pastor parish instructor. He was in the Air National Guard from 1970-1976.
His nephew, Chris Conway, is a middle school teacher for the district.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Hastings: The decline in funding for programs vital to provide a quality education. When examining the budget, these are issues that need to be addressed by the board. We need to make certain that these programs are kept in place and properly funded as they are an important factor in our children receiving a quality education. It’s imperative to receive input from students, teachers and community members to make sure our district maintains its fiscal strength today and into the future.
Hanson: The budget and trust within the community. Without adequate resources, it is very difficult to expand curriculum, increase technology and resources, maintain competitive salaries and lower class size. I’d like to look at the budget more closely and examine ways to reduce costs. Expenses need to be examined in relationship to student success and achievement. What is working and what isn’t? Trust between the community and the district can be built by being open and transparent, and by treating people with dignity and respect. Support needs to be provided to local businesses, parents, staff, students and community members.
Osia: Rebuilding trust. Many strides have been made the last few years but more needs to be done. I plan on being available to talk to staff, parents and the community. I’m available Mondays through Thursdays and during those times I will make myself available as humanly possible. As a board member, I will answer your question as much as a board member can, as either policy or law allows.
Fortenberry: Children are a parent’s greatest asset. We send our children to school so that they may learn, develop socially and become valued members of society. This matriculation of the student at the school, and guidance by the teachers and the parents, are the legacy we give to the world. I understand this and it is why my presence and guidance on the board is essential to the goals of teachers, students and parents.
Laurine: Today’s districts are facing a new wave of challenges mixed with the traditional obstacles. The new being tied to navigating the inclusion of technological advancements and incorporating the tech of today while preparing our children for the tech of tomorrow. This is more than the ability to use a tablet or Smartphone – it is the ability to manage the interaction and recognize the use of information against the noise of misinformation and social engineering. Overcoming these challenges coupled with fiscal and resource allocation responsibility are and will be the hallmarks of district success.
Chellew: Safety and security and supporting the emotional and social wellness of our students, families and staff always is a top priority. It requires continual evaluation by a fully qualified director of safety and security in collaboration with all community stakeholders. A major challenge for our district will be providing school facilities that are conducive to learning and can safely accommodate growth in enrollment and in new programs. This will require an evaluation of our current aging facilities, programs and projected growth patterns and a projection of fiscal resources to fund improvements.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Hastings: My goals are:
■ A districtwide master security plan.
■ Expand early childhood to every elementary building.
■ Lower class sizes.
■ Hire, train and retain quality staff.
I am running so that I can continue to serve my community, advocate for students and support our teachers. I want to teach my children that service and standing up for what you believe is important. I am energetic, passionate and committed to improving our district.
Hanson: With my background and experience, I can make informed decisions by asking questions and being knowledgeable about legal issues, the best practices in education and local policies and procedures. I’ve learned a lot through my work in the district and I continue to learn as I travel throughout the state. I will work to rebuild trust with the community through clear and candid communication, examine expenses in relationship to student achievement, work to provide a balance of career, college and work readiness programs and focus on reducing student achievement gaps.
Osia: My goals, if elected, are to:
■ Continue working toward more transparency.
■ Continue the progress that the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan has done for the district, which the community has asked for.
■ Make sure that policies are followed.
■ Last, but not least, ensure that our students come first in not only my votes but the board’s votes.
Fortenberry: The board is asleep at the meetings, resulting in the fiscal mess.
Laurine: A veteran and industrial and organizational psychologist giving back to my community is part of who I am. A primary goal is to tie in the city’s burgeoning technology community with our district. We should be bringing that environment, experience and associated resources to our district, or risk falling behind. As a consultant, I am uniquely equipped to provide a broad range of support through identification and overcoming obstacles, regardless of type. I use a data-driven approach to develop solutions.
Chellew: My experience in education and my nearly lifelong involvement in our community gives me a unique perspective to the needs of our school community. If elected, I will be committed to the following goals:
■ Encourage the district to provide a safe and secure learning environment that supports the emotional and social wellness for students, families and staff.
■ Develop curriculum and instruction that is designed to prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
■ Maintain fiscal responsibility and use resources efficiently and effectively.
■ Support community volunteers in their efforts to provide enrichment opportunities for students.
The district is considering asking voters for a tax measure to support districtwide improvements, although a date and amount have not been set. What is your position on if and when a tax measure should be sought?
Hastings: The district has successfully balanced the budget for the past four years. Decreases in state funding will require the district to go to the voters at some point in the future, and the unfortunate increase in school shootings throughout the country will require even more safety precautions that will put a severe strain on the budget. Until state funding is finalized, and my master security plan is costed out, a definitive date cannot be determined, but I assume that a tax increase will be sought within the next three years. When the kids need it, I will support it.
Hanson: I would need to examine the budget more closely before being able to know if a tax measure is warranted now. I have lots of questions and need the answers before I could make a decision. My sense of the community is that there is insufficient support for it to pass at this time.
Osia: If I were on the board, I would vote “no” for a tax proposal. The community needs to know 100 percent that its money is being used wisely and the community doesn’t feel this way right now. When the district does ask, it should be done with detailed reasons why and where the money is needed, such as teachers’ pay, support staff pay, educational resources and technology.
Fortenberry: With the history of fiscal mismanagement at Fox C-6, new board members will want to look at any fiscal needs and make appropriate decisions at that time.
Laurine: Without the requisite information I will not provide backing or opposition either way. My support for a tax measure is contingent on what the necessary information and analysis demonstrates. If it is warranted, the amount and timelines can be projected with considerable accuracy using the appropriate analysis – analysis that I am familiar with and can conduct and interpret to ensure accuracy. I recognize there is a politically correct answer, but that is not who I am. I am a proponent of the right answer and if that isn’t available, the best possible answer.
Chellew: Before any action is taken on submitting a tax levy proposal to the community, a careful analysis of district spending priorities and future facility needs must be reviewed. Any decision to propose a tax increase must involve extensive review of current spending and the identification of possible more efficient spending practices. This is an “all-hands-on-deck” decision and must involve the entire community. It is essential that before you ask for a tax increase, district leadership must build trust with open and transparent communication among the community, families and staff.