School Board candidate Ken Reeder ‘doesn’t quit’ when it comes to taxpayers
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — A familiar name appearing on ballots looks to advocate for local taxpayers.
After previously serving on the St. Joseph School District Board of Education from 2021 to 2024, Kenneth Reeder is back and is ready to take on more challenges.
“That’s one thing I’ve been pretty consistent about it, I don’t quit,” said Reeder. “And sometimes, losing is a benefit.”
Reeder’s campaign has been based on what taxpayers want.
“I’m always in it for the taxpayer,” said Reeder.
When asked about Proposition 2, which would construct a high school, Reeder said he’s in favor of building a new facility but not moving to a two-high school model.
He said he believes Benton and Lafayette should be left alone as high schools.
"I think we do need to build a new school,” Reeder said. "But, like I said in my plan, is that we're going to do it next year. We have to defeat this monstrous atrocity with no reasoning whatsoever. And next year, I'll help them run the thing. We're going to build a new school for about 1,800 students out there on the east side of 29. Let's get it done."
Another big push Reeder has for SJSD, is expanding and taking advantage of the programs Hillyard Technical Center offers.
“The goal is, again, to motivate kids to stay in school,” said Reeder. “But one of the biggest things we can take advantage of, I hope they do now, is the Hillyard thing. I push for that big time.”
With House Bill 711 circulating throughout the Missouri Senate, a big topic for candidates this election cycle, is their views on open enrollment.
Reeder said, there’s nothing wrong with leaving local open enrollment, or boundary lines, up to the district’s discretion.
However, with statewide open enrollment, which would allow students throughout the state of Missouri to choose which school district they would want to attend school, Reeder said a three percent cap would not affect the district immediately.
"They're talking three percent, so I hear a lot of people yelling that it would be the end of the world,” said Reeder. “But it would take at lot of years at three percent to affect us one way or the other."
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