Election 2008: Mehlville School Board
Age: 32
City: OakvilleOccupation: technology consultant
Employer: Karl Frank Jr. Computers
Incumbent: Yes
Political experience: I was first elected to the Mehlville Board of Education in 2005 for a three-year term.
Phone: 314-892-7200
E-mail: karlfrankjr@gmail.com
Web site: karlfrankjr.wordpress.com
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
1. I will continue to work towards complete openness and transparency within the administration of the Mehlville School District.
2. I will assist in implementing new programs to increase student success.
3. I will ensure proper fiduciary oversight of the budget of the Mehlville School District.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I am qualified to serve on the school board because of my tendency to make data driven decisions, my passion for public education, my experience as a business owner, and most of all, my experience over the last three years as Vice-President of the Mehlville Board of Education.
Number of children:
I currently have three children who attend John Cary Early Childhood Education Center, Blades Elementary, and Oakville High School.
Education:
Graduated from Oakville Sr. High School. Attended Fontbonne University and St. Louis Community College
Chris Brown
Age: Not provided by candidate
City: St. Louis
Occupation: Funeral Services
Employer: Kutis Funeral Home
Incumbent: No
Political experience: Never elected to public office
E-mail: c.brown285@sbcglobal.net
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
1. Ending the school districts participation in the lawsuits against the taxpayers for additions funds from the State of Missouri (which has wasted taxpayers over $50,000 to date)
2. Ending the school districts contract with UNICOM-ARC, the consultant company that has been hired to handle the PR for the anticipated tax increase that will be proposed for the November ballot (which has wasted taxpayers over $170,000 to date)
3. Provide the proper resources to the classroom so students can succeed (we still have students that do not have textbooks, or only have a classroom copy that has to be shares with other classes)
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I have had over 13 years of management experience which has provided me with the opportunity to work with personnel and budgeting issues. When you add in my Public Administration education, I have the knowledge that is needed to make the tough financial decisions that our district is faced.
After reading about Brent Bell's (CFO of the District) e-mail to Superintendent Terry Noble dated March 7 which indicate the financial concerns of the district, we need to make sure we have leaders on our School Board that can make the difficult financial decisions, and I am that person.
Number of children:
Three children - daughter in Washington Middle School, son in Trautwein Elementary School, daughter - toddler.
Education:
University of Missouri - St. Louis, bachelor's degree in Public Administration, minor in Communications, minor in Business Administration. St. Louis Community College - Meramec, associate degree in Business Administration
David Bertelsen
Age: 52
City: St. Louis
Occupation: Senior business manager - IT
Employer: AT&T
Incumbent: No
Political experience: Never elected to public office
Phone: 314-235-3654
E-mail: bertelse@swbell.net
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
1. Insure that the focus of the schools is to provide the best educational opportunity possible with the current tax dollars.
2. Instill in the students and the parents the attitude that is their responsibility to make the most of the educational opportunities presented.
3. Continue to recognize student accomplishments and recognize and honor those students who choose to server their country by entering the military after graduation.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I have lived in the school district for over 25 years and have successfully raised two children who have excelled academically. As a 30 year employee of AT&T I have extensive experience at working with others to complete tasks on time and on budget.
Number of children:
I have two children. My son graduated from Truman State University in 2007. My daughter is in her third year as a pre-med student at Agnes Scott College.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Illinois State University; Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Illinois State University
Linda Mooy
Age: 57
City: St. Louis
Occupation: Retired budget officer
Employer: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Incumbent: No
Political experience: Never elected to public office
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
1) Prudently manage the school district's financial resources on behalf of taxpayers.
2) Ensure students' education is the number one priority when money is spent.
3) Treat all Mehlville students, staff and taxpayers with respect and honesty in all situations.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I am a conscientious and dependable individual who desires to honestly lead the Mehlville School District in the right direction.
I worked over 30 years for the federal government at the VA Medical Center (1974-1990) and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (1990-2006), formerly the Defense Mapping Agency. Prior to retiring (five years) I was the Office of Eurasia-Africa Budget Officer.
As an approving-billing official, I certified-authorized expenditures and payments, ensured purchases were in compliance with federal and Department of Defense regulations, ensured transactions met legal requirements and authorized-certified purchases under the Special Emergency Procurement Authority in clear and direct support of the agency's defense against terrorism.
As a school board member, I will use the knowledge and skills I acquired as a federal government employee and while furthering my education as a single parent and full-time employee.
Number of children:
Two adult children, six grandchildren.
Education:
Associate degree, liberal arts, St. Louis Community College, Bachelor's degree, organizational use of human resources, Washington University.
Drew Frauenhoffer
Age: 41
City: St. Louis
Occupation: human resource consultant
Employer: Incite Performance Consulting
Incumbent: No
Political experience: Never elected to public office
Phone: 314-845-6404
E-mail: drew@inciteperformance.com
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
1) Develop students by strengthening early educational efforts, providing curriculum that is both challenging and applicable to meet today's - and tomorrow's - demands, and ensuring that instructional materials and textbooks are updated on a regular basis.
2) Enable educators by attracting, retaining, and motivating the most qualified classroom teachers and administrators while providing them with the appropriate resources and supporting their continuous professional development.
3) Provide the right learning environment by reducing student-to-teacher ratios (especially kindergarten through fifth grade), increasing access to the necessary technology to assist in the delivery and reinforcement of curriculum, and enhancing security and safety at all the schools.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I have a great appreciation for, and commitment to, a strong public educational system since I am a proud product of the Mehlville School District, as well as a parent of children currently attending school in the district.
Being a small business owner, I recognize the importance of balancing growth with fiscal responsibility, as well as setting priorities based on budget constraints and limited financial resources. In my role as a business consultant for almost 15 years, I have enhanced the productivity and performance of individuals, teams and organizations.
As a board member, I will apply my knowledge, skills and abilities to help optimize the performance of the Mehlville School District.
Number of children:
Three daughters (ages 8, 5, 1): 8 yr-old is in 2nd grade at Blades Elementary, 5 yr-old is in kindergarten at Blades Elementary
Education:
Mehlville High School, 1985; Bachelor's degree., Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1988; Master's degree, Clinical Psychology, Saint Louis University, 1991; Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Saint Louis University, 1994
Deborah Langland
Age: Not provided by candidate
City: St. Louis
Occupation: Licensed Missouri Realtor
Employer: Coldwell Banker Gundaker
Incumbent: No
Political experience: Never elected to public office
Phone: 314-650-0434
E-mail: Langland2008@sbcglobal.net
Web site: Langland2008.com
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
1) EDUCATION: Board Members top priority should always be to achieve the highest quality education available for our students. We need to continue to analyze, develop and enhance quality programs to improve student performance and enable students, with varying abilities, to meet personal, academic and career goals. We must achieve District goals within a balanced budget. Prioritized plans and funding are needed for scheduled preventive maintenance, and regular updating all school curricula and technologies.
2) SAFETY: We need to ensure that we provide a safe and nurturing environment for our students, faculty, staff and anyone attending any one of our facilities. These issues and preventative plans should address everything from anti-bullying programs to building and event security.
3) COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS: We need to engage all community members in the success of the district. A healthy community retains and attracts new business, residents, and maintains a good property value.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
1) I'm a parent, resident, business woman and advocate for quality public education and the Mehlville School District. With my knowledge of District issues, community involvement, along with professional skills and experience, I believe I will be able to help the District achieve its goals.
2) Over 20 years in the field of Information Technology as an analyst, consultant, project leader and manager, primarily in the financial industry. This career taught me how to communicate effectively, manage and control budgets, motivate staff and implement new technologies.
3) Member of the District's Citizens Advisory Committee over 6 years.
4) Member of the Long Range Planning Committee 2004-05.
5) Served on several District Technical Committees.
6) Member of the Mehlville-Oakville School District Foundation.
7) As a realtor, I know how important a quality public school district is to maintaining good property values.
Number of children:
2 - one is a 2007 OHS graduate and currently a student at the University of Missouri-Columbia; the other is an OHS sophomore.
Marea Kluth-Hoppe
Age: 55
City: St. Louis
Occupation: Volunteer
Employer: Community volunteer
Incumbent: No
Political experience: Board of Education, Mehlville School District 2002-2005
E-mail: marea4mehlville@aol.com or hopperay@aol.com
Web site: www.MareaForMehlville.com
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
1. Offering a comprehensive, challenging curriculum for all students to ensure academic achievement. All the components must be prioritized to formulate a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan that ensures success for children.
The demands of state and federal mandates and regulations must be met within the limitations of available funding or work for additional funding.
2. Establishing a comprehensive planning and budgeting process that is presented to the Board of Education several times a year. It is important to fund critical curriculum improvements and other improvements as the district strives for educational excellence for children.
3. Providing professional support for students with appropriate staff of counselors, nurses, interpreters and social workers. Many children come into the schools with special needs of varying abilities and skills, home support, backgrounds and lifestyles and economic situations. Addressing these needs helps a child function and achieve in the classroom.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I have experience that benefits your children. I am an advocate for academic achievement and financial responsibility. As a past board member, I have experienced first hand the enormity of the decision making process of prioritizing the educational needs of children within the demands of state and federal mandates for curriculum, staffing and funding. I understand the various state requirements for accreditation. The Board that I served on made many difficult decisions and yet approved and achieved a balanced budget.
My educational and business expertise has given me organization, people and budgeting skills.
As a volunteer at parent organizations at all school and community levels, I am knowledgeable about the work and support and additional funding these groups provide. The Mehlville Board of Education needs directors who have the experience of education, business, and district and community involvement and have a vision for a strong educational system for the children.
Number of children:
One daughter, Carla Hoppe, attends Ohio Wesleyan University. Graduated Mehlville High School in 2004
Education:
Bachelor's degree, Mathematics, Southeast Missouri State University - minor in Business Administration
Erin M. Weber
Age: 34
City: Oakville
Occupation: Part-time research and development lab technician
Employer: Engineered Lubricants Co.
Incumbent: No
Political experience: Never elected to public office
E-mail: erin4msd@yahoo.com
Web site: erin4msd.com
If elected, what would your three main education priorities be?
I am seeking office because I want to ensure that all of the children in the Mehlville School District get the best education possible. I will work for restoration of bus routes for the elementary students. I would work for continued replacement and purchase of textbooks. I will work to determine if our facilities have maximum energy conservation and efficiency. I will also work to make sure the indoor air quality of the schools is good and therefore minimizing sickness.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
My scientific background has equipped me with a skill set that I will employ when making decisions. The process of identifying problems, gathering data and drawing conclusions based on that data. I am an advocate for my community and I will use that same passion to drive me to advocate for the educational needs of the students and classroom teachers attending schools within our district.
Number of children:
Three children:Maura, 16, Oakville High School; Brennan, 7, Wohlwend Elementary School; Grant, 6, Point Elementary School.
Education:
Oakville High School 1992 graduate, associate degree from Meramec Community College, pursuing bachelor's degree in Biology from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
