5 minute read
Candidates
Seven candidates are running ahead of April’s election
Advertisement
by Sean Bruce, Reporter
In the wake of Dr. Curtis Cain’s resignation as our district’s superintendent, concerned families turn to the Board of Education for clarity and a plan of action. Unfortunately, the Board is also in disarray with constant disagreement about where the Wentzville School District should go from here.
There is hope for our community still. On April 5, the Board of Education election will take place where two seats on the board are ready for the taking. Seven candidates have stepped up to the plate for a chance to make change in our community.
DALE SCHApEr
incumbent Dale Schaper is a tenured member of the WSD Board of Education, serving our community for 15 years. Schaper currently serves as the secretary of the board, but has also been the Board of Education president. He extends his community dedication beyond the district, working as a delegate coordinator for the Missouri School
Board Association- Region 7. “I would like to thank everyone in our district for all the hard work, and all the concern you’ve shown for our students during these unexpected challenges. There is still much work to be done, and I humbly ask for your vote so
I can continue to serve this community with devotion and respect,” Schaper said.
Dr. Julie Scott is a first time runner for the Board of Education and brings a unique point of view for consideration. Scott has been an active nurse practitioner for 15 years and holds a doctorate in nursing practice. She has lived in the district for 13 years and raised her family here. In addition to her medical experience, Scott also works as a faculty member at Maryville University. “We are lucky to have the best teachers and staff working hard to educate our children. I want them to have
JULiE a safe and collaborative environment in which they feel fulfilled and supported to do their job. I also want them
SCoTT to have confidence that the Board of Education is making decisions based on facts and evidence, in the best interest of the students, staff, and teachers,” Scott said in her introduction on the district website.
JoHN kAELiN
John Kaelin is a veteran who has served as an officer in the Air Force and has also worked as a civilian for the
Department of Defense. Kaelin is running this year on a platform that promotes the preparation of students for the world and helps educators make every student’s K-12 learning experience successful. Along with these principles,
Kaelin plans to balance his goals on the steady backbone of fiscal responsibility. “As a military veteran and public servant, I take the obligation to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars very seriously. As a public Board of Education, we have a responsibility to be fiscally prudent when making decisions.
Together, we can lead today so our students can lead tomorrow.”
J. J. SUfTko
J.J. Suftko has lived in the district for around 20 years, and has two children who attend Boone Trail Elementary School. He attended Missouri Baptist University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Along with his career as a Regional Sales manager, Suftko also donated his time as a youth sports coach. Though he has no teaching experience, Suftko has named himself a lifelong supporter of the classroom and has aimed his campaign toward making sure teachers are successful in their positions. “I will work hard in bringing the WSD Board of Education and Administration along, in developing a measurable plan and strategy on attracting and retaining all district employees. We need to remember these employees long after they take their first steps into our schools. They are a guiding light to developing a culture of excellence.”
SANDY gArBEr
incumbent Sandy Garber has held office on the board on and off since 2012. She served in the 2012-2015 term and was reelected for the 2019-2022 term. Garber is a licensed realtor and an openly conservative member of our community. Garber does not have any children that attend district school but has had two of her three grandchildren previously attend Wentzville’s schools. Director Garber stands on a strong position of opposing mask mandates in district buildings, as well as an opposition of The 1619 Project and Critical Race Theory. “We’ve come a long way together....today we have a much better idea of what works and what doesn’t. Do we have more to learn?... I’m sure we do....and we will do it TOGETHER. But one most valuable lesson that we learned is that our kids learn BEST when they are in school 5 days a week in front of their teachers” Garber said in her candidate biography.
DoNALDr. LooNEY Jr.
Donald R. Looney Jr. ran for the school board last election cycle and fell just short of winning one of the elected seats. Looney has been a Wentzville resident since 1999 when he met and settled down with his wife, Zebrina Looney. Serving as a committee member for the St. Charles Democratic Central Committee as well as serving on and leading several sub committees, Looney has dedicated his life to helping those around him. He has also volunteered for local youth ministries and stated in his candidate biography that his goal has always been elevating the next generation. Don, as he is called by family and friends, “always appreciated the support and encouragement he received from the educators and coaches he has met throughout his life as a student and wishes to support the students, educators and administrators in his local community. He hopes to bring transparency and inclusion to the School Board as these are unprecedented times and Wentzville continues to grow at an exponential rate.”
kATiE LYCzAk
first-time candidate Katie Lyczak and her husband have lived in the district for 16 years and have two children who attend Peine Ridge Elementary. She spends her time participating in community events as well and helping out
Wentzville’s Connection Theatre Company. Lyczac plans to use her community experience to advocate for children across the district. “I know board members take an oath to put kids first, but it is just as important for our whole community to have confidence that the district is doing an excellent job educating children, keeping both kids and teachers safe at school, and listening to the concerns and stakeholders have about the culture of our district.”
