Missouri State Teachers Association hosts School Board candidate forum

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The Missouri State Teacher's Association hosted a forum for candidates running for School Board. 

All six candidates were in attendance at the Troester Media Center, where they were asked seven different questions about issues affecting the St. Joseph School District and education, currently. 

Vision for the district

Candidate Jennifer Kerns mentioned creating a successful district for families to move to.

"We have so much potential to thrive in this community, I think we could do it," said Kerns. 

Candidate Brian Kirk said his vision, is for SJSD to create a healthy environment for both students and teachers. 

"Create an environment where teachers feel affirmed and resourced to do the best job that they can possibly do," said Kirk. "...And where we created a learning environment where every child reaches their greatest potential."

Candidate Kim Miller's vision was for more community involvement and candidate James Mrkvicka wants to be able to prepare students properly to thrive in real world jobs.

Candidate Kenneth Reeder wants to expand Hillyard Technical College, saying, "college isn't for everyone" and "we could have a mecca for developing a workforce throughout the entire region".

Specific goals for success in SJSD

Kirk, Miller and Mrkvicka said pouring into staff as they are the "keys to success" would help better foster improvement throughout the district.

Reeder was quick to list off other goals to make the district successful, mentioning improvement with attendance, no right-sizing of schools and not scaring kids into thinking their school is going to close down.

Kerns cited paying closer attention to academics.

Both Kerns and Veale suggested also providing more resources for monitoring big behaviors in the classroom. 

"When you have a child that's acting out in class, that teacher is having to stop what they're doing, address the child, come back and then address the rest of the children in the classroom that witnessed the bad events that occurred," said Veale.

Receiving input from stakeholders while giving teachers needed support

A majority of candidates agreed on hearing opinions from SJSD staff and creating more spaces where the St. Joseph community can come and voice their opinions in front of the School Board.

Mrkvicka also mentioned rotating school board meetings every once in a while, so residents throughout St. Joseph can also contribute to BOE meetings.

Kirk suggested to talk to students throughout the district to see if they have suggestions and opinions for what's working and what's not. 

Potential dismantle of the Department of Education

Reeder was the only candidate who was in favor of the dismantlement of the Department of Education.

"Yeah, it's overreach..." said Reeder. "It's become a total bureaucratic mess. I get a hard time figuring out what is that piled and that mess."

Other candidates cited "mis-management" and performing an audit to see where money is actually being spent in the department.

Kerns said, "Reform needs to happen with a scalpel, not a sledgehammer," when it comes to improving the Department of Education. 

Veale cited the Department provides needed research and resources for school district's throughout the country. 

School choice

With open enrollment and no hard boundaries in St. Joseph, a majority of candidates were not in favor of kids choosing where they attend school.

Veale said most kids get the opportunity to choose between private or public schools. However, the choice "creates disparity in districts", especially as state-funding follows kids where they go. 

Kirk said having the option treats education as more of a "commodity", where kids with more advantages get the opportunity.

Mrkvicka said, although it's a disadvantage to lower income families, it could be something worth trying. 

Reeder was the only candidate who was completely in favor of kids choosing where they go. 

"If you had the opportunity to go to a school that is achieving and your in an under-achieving district, why should you be forced to go to the underachieving district," said Reeder.

The two-high school system

Regardless of the outcome of Proposition Two, only five of the candidates were in favor of the right-sizing of schools and the two high school model throughout SJSD. 

Reeder was the only candidate in opposition, citing the act as an, "ill-hatched plan".

"I want to build a new school, but let's stop trying to make it the 'North' and 'South' and all this type of stuff," said Reeder. "...Leave Lafayette and Benton alone..."

Mrkvicka cited the two-high school model would be good for the shrinking population of SJSD.

Miller said the equity and the opportunities provided to all students in regards to academics and athletics would help with the two-high school model. 

Kirk brought up how the district's resources should be used to educate student's, currently.

"Nostalgia about these buildings is good, and I understand it," said Kirk. "But the number one question about how we use these buildings, should be, 'What's best for the kids we're educating today, in this time'?"

District strengths and improvements

When it comes to the strengths of SJSD, all candidates recited teachers, staff and administrators as such.

In regards to improvements, some of the candidates had their own opinions.

Mrkvicka and Reeder both said teacher recruitment and retainment is something the district can improve upon. 

While, Kerns cited academics and Miller, attendance.

Kirk said, "Creating an environment where teacher's want to stay for their career."

Veale highlighted getting district positives "out in the community" and celebrating those wins.