VOTER GUIDE: Warren County Board of Education
Dale Schowe
City: WarrentonOccupation: office manager
Employer: The TFE Group Inc.
Political experience: Warren County School Board member 2003-2006
Education: graduate of Warren County R-3; attended University of Missouri-Columbia
Children: one daughter who is a graduate of Warren County R-3, one daughter at Rebecca Boone, one son at Warrior Ridge
If elected, what would your three main priorities be?
1. To make sure all children have an equal opportunity to learn and reach their fullest potential.
2. To hire and retain quality educators and provide a safe and secure learning environment.
3. To meet the demands placed on the district by federal mandates.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
Being a lifetime resident of the community, I feel I can help us prepare for its inevitable growth while still being efficient with taxpayers' money.
Brian Meine (incumbent)
City: Warrenton
Occupation: aircraft spray painter
Employer: Boeing
Political experience: Warren County School Board member 2005-2008
Education: graduate of Warrenton High School; Certificate of Autobody Repair, Ranken Technical College, 1987
Children: Three daughters, one each at Warrenton High, Black Hawk Middle and Daniel Boone Elementary; two sons, one at Warrior Ridge Elementary and the other is 4 years old.
If elected, what would your three main priorities be?
If re-elected, I hope to continue to represent the students and parents of Warrenton with the common-sense approach I have used the last three years. Our district is in good shape as far as the space we need with our current growth rate for a few years. I feel we need to look at some of the departments that may need to be expanded because of their importance to the children and the community, i.e.: fine arts, FFA and some of the smaller athletic programs.
I want to work to improve our retention of our outstanding teachers instead of losing them to other districts after we have given them a few years of experience and education tuition. I want the community of Warrenton to continue in its support of the school and be able to be proud of our students' academic and athletic accomplishments.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I feel that I am a qualified candidate for school board because of the knowledge I have gained over the last three years of how a school district goes about its daily business. The required school board member training that I received from the Missouri School Board Association at the beginning of my term has helped me understand what the school board's function is in relation to the school administrators.
During my first term, we constructed a new elementary and did major renovations of three other buildings. I would like the opportunity to help improve what happens inside these buildings. I have been a lifelong resident of Warrenton and went to school here. Having five children that will all attend Warrenton schools. I have a great interest in doing what I can to see that all the students receive the best education and school experience that a child could have.
Beth Banze
City: Warrenton
Occupation: registered nurse
Employer: St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital
Political experience: Never elected to public office
Education: B.S. in nursing from Northeast Missouri State University; graduate of St. Charles West High School
Children: Three children, one at Warrenton High School, one at Black Hawk Middle School, one at Rebecca Boone Elementary School.
If elected, what would your three main priorities be?
As a parent of three students in the Warren County R-3 school system, I recognize a need to retain excellent teachers, instill discipline and allow for open communication. I believe that a consistent, stable learning environment is conducive to a quality education. I have worked alongside excellent teachers in the district, but often these teachers leave for better opportunities. In order to prepare our children for the future, we need to retain these teachers.
To ensure all students have an opportunity to learn, there must be an enforceable level of discipline. Students must be held responsible for their actions. Teachers should be able to enforce ramifications with full administrative support.
As the district continues to grow, input from students, staff, parents and the community is crucial. I believe the school board should allow a forum for public comment during its monthly meetings. Only through open communication can we work together to improve our schools.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I am the mother of three children who attend Warrenton schools. I have been actively involved in the PTO, serving as the president of Daniel Boone and treasurer of Rebecca Boone. I have also been employed as a substitute nurse in all five schools. Through these experiences, I have been directly involved with the school's daily routine. It allowed me to observe both the positive and the negative aspects of our system.
As a pediatric nurse, I am a passionate advocate for the child and parents. These young patients do not have a voice, so they rely on me to protect their best interest. I would bring that same level of care and assertiveness to the school board. I would be your advocate working on behalf of the students, teachers and citizens in the district.
Denny J. Evans (incumbent)
City: Warrenton
Occupation: sales
Employer: STL Communications
Political experience: Two terms on Warren County School Board
Education: high school graduate
Children: Seven children, six school-age and attending Warren Co. R-3.
If elected, what would your three main priorities be?
1. Make sure every child that comes through our school district feels like they matter.
2. Help educate both parents and the community about how important their role is in keeping our kids in school.
3. Do what I can to make sure all our staff is working together to keep our goal the kids of our community.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
My love for kids.
Teresa Scott
City: Warrenton
Occupation: office manager
Employer: Schraer Heating and Air Conditioning
Political experience: Warrenton Board of Aldermen, 1998-2004
Education: B.S. in exceptional child education from Southeast Missouri State University; master's degree in curriculum and instruction from University of Missouri-Columbia. Completed several classes in business and accounting; currently enrolled in Spanish classes.
Children: Two graduates of Warren Co. R-3.
If elected, what would your three main priorities be?
1. Retaining quality teachers. Warrenton has a reputation as a "training" district. Teachers get their experience here and then move on. While beginning teachers bring new ideas and enthusiasm into the district, experienced teachers provide stability, consistency and develop a connection with the community. We need to take steps to make this a district that quality teachers want to call home.
2. Encouraging community involvement and input. This district is supported by taxpayers. As a result, it is vital that the school board be aware of and responsive to the concerns and needs of the people they are elected to serve. This requires creating an open line of communication.
Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?
I retired from the Warren Co. R-3 School District in 2006 after teaching at the high school for 21 years. Currently, I am the office manager at Schraer Heating and Air Conditioning, a family-owned business. I also serve on the Warrenton Planning and Zoning Board. As a former teacher, I am aware of many of the issues faced by teachers, students, parents and administrators every day. From my service with the city of Warrenton and my current employment, I have acquired a knowledge of government and business. I feel this gives me a well-rounded background to tackle the decisions that must be made by the board.
The decisions made by the Board of Education can impact the students, parents, teachers and the greater community for years. I am a teacher who chose to call Warrenton home. I would like the opportunity to be a part of its future.
