2023 Voter Guide: Candidates running for school board elections in St. Clair County
Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for the school board races in the April 4 election in St. Clair County.
The News-Democrat has contacted the candidates running in contested seats for school boards and asked them to complete a candidate questionnaire.
While this article has information about candidates in school board races in St. Clair County, you can go to this page at bnd.com to get links to read about candidates running for local and school board positions across the metro-east.
Here are the responses from the St. Clair County school board candidates who have replied: (The candidates are listed alphabetically.)
Belle Valley School District 119 Board
The BND has not received responses from Belle Valley District 119 School Board candidates Robert Cole (write-in), Rebecca Kaiser (write-in), Albert Kraus (write-in), Karen Kunz, Paula Miller (write-in), and Cynthia Winfield.
East St. Louis School District 189 Board
NAME: JENNIFER CHIKE
Age as of April 4, 2023: 32
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.facebook.com/MarieAFranklinforMayor?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Office seeking: School board member
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Stay at home mother and church leader
Education: Bachelors in fine arts
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I worked as a campus minister post graduating college. Upon moving to East St. Louis my faith moved toward systemic action. I got involved with Rise 189 and Parents United for Change. Both organizations exist to call the district and community to change for the betterment of our children. I work as a youth leader where we host Bible studies and events that cater to the formation of a child holistically.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Most of our contributors come from local residents, those who have moved away but still love their city and family.
Why are you running? I am running because I see an agenda that is not centered on the children in our community. Our children and parents suffer when there is a lack of transparency, stability and apathy in those making decisions. Our kids are just as smart as any affluent student elsewhere. We just need new ideas and zeal to cater to the unique needs of our youth and I am excited to bring that!
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The top issue would be stability and transparency. I am ready to be a consistent, present and transparent voice to our community. I will do this by making myself available and aiming to be above reproach so that I can keep the trust of the people I am serving.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me because I am a servant. My family moved to East St. Louis because I believe this is a place Jesus would be. Serving is my aim in how I live my entire life. I do it every day when I raise my young children and it’s why I am here. I plan to serve this district by being a voice for parents at the table.
The BND has not received responses from East St. Louis School District 189 School Board candidates Walter Hood Sr., Kianna Jordan-Grimmett, Latoyia Mosley, Brenda Acoff Odneal, Deidre Powell, Yvette Turman and Quanyshia Wooten.
Freeburg Grade School District 70 Board
NAME: DANITA DUECKER
Age as of April 4, 2023: 42
Campaign website or social media page: Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089668323519
Office seeking: School board member
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Registered nurse
Education: Associate degree-paralegal 2004; Associate degree-nursing 2014; Bachelor of science in nursing-May 2023
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Former member of Freeburg Women’s Community Club- ~2007-2014; 2019-2022 including board positions of board member and vice-president, as well as chair for the Easter Egg Hunt. Junior Service Club of St. Clair County- active member 2014-2021; sustaining member 2022-present including board positions of director and corresponding secretary, as well as service chair for Project Compassion and co-chair for Daubin’ for Designers Purse Bingo. Nurse for Illinois Youth and Government General Assembly 2022-present. Independent volunteer for Freeburg Homecoming, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Luke 18 retreat and the church picnic.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I have received zero campaign funds or donations.
Why are you running? I am running for Freeburg District 70 School Board because I am a mom to a child in the school district and most of the current school board members no longer have children enrolled in seventh grade or younger. Our district is filled with wonderful families, children and staff; however, there is no such thing as perfect and I have observed opportunities for improvement within our school. I am a firm believer in being part of the solution.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Transparency is the top issue in our school district. I intend to address it by ensuring the board meeting recordings are made available to the public the day after the meeting as approved by the board in October 2022. Additionally, I will work to get the school policies clear and easy to understand, and inform our parents of any changes that may take place. Finally, I will continue to invite feedback, suggestions and questions from the citizens and acknowledge them when received.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me because I take the role of advocate to heart in all things I do. I will stand up to protect the interests of the students, families and taxpayers of Freeburg District 70. I understand that avoiding, ignoring or “sweeping issues under the rug” will only serve to make a problem larger versus addressing it head-on. I also understand that as an elected official I will have a duty to uphold the law. While laying the foundation for improved transparency, integrity, communication and trust between the school and citizens of Freeburg District 70, I seek to build upon our greatness and encourage inclusion with programs that find and foster students’ unique strengths and talents.
NAME: WILLIAM (BILL) MAY
Age as of April 4, 2023: 42
Campaign website or social media page: None
Office seeking: Freeburg District 70 School Board
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Owner/operator of Metro East Yipes Stripes. Painted Pinstriping.
Education: High school diploma
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Swansea Planning and Zoning Board
Who are your top three campaign contributors? No one
Why are you running? I want to be a part of the decision-making process to give my daughter and the rest of the kids in Freeburg the best education possible. In my opinion, there are some pretty extreme ideologies that are being forced on public schools. I will be a voice and a vote for those parents who don’t want their kids exposed to these types of things.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? As a parent, one of the top issues is safety. I will do everything I can to provide the students and educators a safe environment to both work and learn.
Why should people vote for you? I have been to almost every school board meeting for the past three years. I believe FCCSD 70 has great teachers and staff. I will do my best to support them, while putting our kids first and seeing that taxpayers’ money is spent responsibly. I have no personal agenda. My goal is to give students the best chance at a great education.
The BND has not received a response from Freeburg Grade School District 70 Board candidate James “Jamie” Smith.
Freeburg Grade School District 70
NAME: JOHN LAWSON
Age as of April 4, 2023: 42
Campaign website or social media page: Facebook.com/LawsonForFreeburg70SchoolBoard
Office seeking: Member of the Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Management consultant
Education: Bachelor of arts
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Youth girls basketball coach, YMCA; Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Self-funded - I will not accept any contributions.
Why are you running? I am currently completing an unexpired term on the Freeburg CCSD 70 Board of Education and I am seeking another term to represent our taxpayers, parents and students. There are several issues within our district that would be best remedied with continuity of service.
My priorities for a full term as a member of the board are:
1. Continue to support and seek data-driven decisions leveraging the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) introduced by our senior leadership team in 2022. Response to Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and social emotional supports are the foundations of this plan. The goal is to regain Illinois State Board of Education Exemplary status, last earned in 2018.
2. Continue to be an active voice in support of the students and parents and a responsible steward of the taxpayer.
3. Continue to seek compromise and encourage constructive dialogue when philosophical differences arise.
4. Continue to support expansion of programs that enrich the whole student experience. I am a staunch supporter of the expansion of our art and technology programs.
5. Continue to work towards a long-term strategic vision and plan in partnership with our senior leadership team, faculty and staff.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Our student performance in state testing, while showing signs of improvement, are not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. In comparing the percent of students performing at meets/exceeds 2019 vs. 2022 our district has experienced a slide in meets/exceeds of 11% in ELA and 8.6% in mathematics. During this time period we have also experienced an unprecedented increase in enrolled low-income students from 5.3% to 26.4%. We must understand that our students have not changed, but their family financial condition may have changed. The path forward will require a robust analysis of the effectiveness of our Response to Interventions (RTI) while understanding the basic needs of a significant population of our students have changed as well. I will continue to work towards a well functioning Multi-Tiered System of Supports. In order to recover the performance of our district, all stakeholders (school board, administration, teachers, parents and students) will need to submit themselves to mutual accountability to ensure we are all continuously aligned in pursuit of the same aspirations. My goal is recapturing Illinois State Board of Education Exemplary School Status last attained in 2018 and developing a strategy to sustain that rating over time. Our students deserve nothing short of that goal. It will take time, grit, hard work and commitment of all stakeholders.
Why should people vote for you? I have served on the Freeburg CCSD 70 Board of Education for the past two years. I take great pride in the level of due diligence that I commit to the commencement of my duties as a member of the board of education. I am committed to representing the interests of parents and students in addition to being a good steward of resources for the taxpayer. When philosophical differences arise, I will continue to advocate for compromise or minimally a consensus on a path forward. I will continue to provide and encourage frequent, transparent communication between the district and parents. I will continue to support acquisition of resources for our administration, teachers and staff in the pursuit of providing the best possible environment for our students to learn and grow. I will continue to be an unabashed supporter of our students and encourage their growth in all things they pursue.
I have been in service to country and community in some way or another nearly all my life. From my early adult years serving on the battlefield during Operation Iraqi Freedom to currently serving on the basketball court for our fifth-grade girls, the greater good has been my mission and I have always fulfilled that call to service to the best of my ability.
NAME: AMBER TROUT
Age as of April 4, 2023: 39
Campaign website or social media page: Facebook: Amber Trout for Freeburg School Board
Office seeking: Board member - Freeburg School District 70
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Operations Manager at IMPACT Strategies Inc.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Freeburg PTO member and fundraiser chairman, founding committee member of the Making an IMPACT Foundation, team manager - Gateway Rush Soccer Club 2010 Girls Premier, team manager - Freeburg Fire Hawks 8u Boys Select Baseball, Food Drive organizer/liaison (Fairview Heights, IL), National Association of Women in Construction, SIUE Alumni Association
Who are your top three campaign contributors? None
Why are you running? I love Freeburg and our schools and I want to be a bigger part of supporting the continued growth and excellence of our school district. I’m passionate about education and ensuring the best experience for all students as well as fostering a continued positive environment for teachers, staff and administration.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Communication is top of mind. Topics have come up recently that show some hurdles in communication between several parties. I would focus on communicating to the best of my ability and within my means as a board member to make sure that everyone is adequately informed and leaving little room for interpretation.
Why should people vote for you? Like most of the candidates running for school board, I am a parent who just wants to see our kids go to the best school around. I think that Freeburg is a wonderful town and I care deeply about seeing the students and the school continue to be successful. Additionally, my 20-plus year professional background allows me to bring many skills to the position such as communication, organization, flexibility, reliability, detail-orientation, problem solving and the ability to work with anyone. I’m proud to be a member of the Freeburg District 70 community.
The BND has not received a response from Freeburg Grade School District 70 Board candidate David Stein.
Lebanon School District 9 Board
NAME: SHAWN C. DOW
Age: 39
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/shawn.dow.56
Office seeking: Lebanon CUSD #9 School Board
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for public office before? No
Occupation: Principal of a special needs alternative school K-12
Education: I hold 2 masters degrees, one in special education and one in school administration, I have my director of special education certification. I am also currently working on a dual degree, which is a superintendent endorsement followed by my educational doctorate.
Highlight your civic involvement: I was a Cub Scout leader in Lebanon for 3 years. I currently coach my 3 children in hockey for the Southern Illinois Icehawks and have done so for the past 5 years.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? N/A
Why are you running? I chose to run for the Lebanon school board because I understand the educational setting, I have three children that attend at both the elementary and middle/high schools, I want to be a part of and give back to my community and I want to help foster communication that is beneficial to the parents, community and educators while maintaining a student centered focus.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? I believe that the largest issue facing the Lebanon school district is open and honest communication between the school, school board and community members. I think there is a level of distrust and division among the sides and I would like to bring a fresh student centered mindset by using my communication, leadership skills and educational background to bridge the divide.
Why should people vote for you? I would like to see funds go towards academics and curriculum, athletics and building improvements. I would like to improve our high school to college pipeline by bolstering our academics and I would also like to increase our special education offerings. I would like to bring a fresh, student centered mindset by using my communication, leadership skills and educational background to bridge the divide.
NAME: ALLISON GAUBATZ
Age: 44
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/100090904903367/
Office seeking: Lebanon CUSD #9 School Board
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for public office before? No
Occupation: Commercial development representative for C.H. Robinson
Education: McKendree University - Educational doctorate degree & specialist degree in curriculum & instruction; Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Master of science and education - instructional technology & design; Western Illinois University - Bachelor of science in education
Highlight your civic involvement: Chair of the LCUSD #9 Curriculum and Instruction Committee; Chair of the LCUSD #9 Technology Committee; and member of the Lebanon Athletic Booster Club
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I am the sole contributor for my campaign.
Why are you running? The reason I am running is to place students and their success at the forefront of the district while providing opportunities for the administration, teachers, and staff to continue to develop their expertise in providing an excellent education to all students.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The most important issue that I intend to address is closing the achievement gap. My goal is to ensure that all students have access to high-quality teachers, rigorous curriculum, and adequate resources such as textbooks, technology, and instructional resources.
Why should people vote for you? My educational background plays a large part in supporting administrative accountability and knowing that we can always do more to improve the opportunities available to our youth.
NAME: MICHAEL HARTER
Age: 58
Campaign website: N/A
Office seeking: Lebanon CUSD #9 School Board
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for public office before? Lebanon CUSD #9 School Board Member, 2006-2019
Occupation: Retired from Southwestern Illinois College
Education: Associate Degree from Belleville Area College (SWIC)
Highlight your civic involvement: Over the years, I have been a member of the Lebanon PTO/PTA, Girl Scout leader, school carnival committee member, and have worked school dinner auctions, trivia nights, and more school fundraising functions than I can recall.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Self-funded
Why are you running? I was first elected to the Lebanon School Board in 2005 when my daughters were all in grade school. I continued to served on the board for 14 years, including two as Vice President and 10 as President. I retired from the board in 2019 (a few years after my youngest daughter graduated from high school) and retired from the college shortly after that. While it has been a relaxing four years of retirement, it did not take long to realize that I still have the same desire to serve the community as I did when I was first elected.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? I believe the top issue for any school board should be a quality education for the students of the school district. Students should be provided with the latest curriculum and the appropriate technology to learn in today’s educational environment. Lebanon has always had a dedicated teaching staff, and the district should provide them with the latest training and education resources. The superintendent should continually monitor these efforts, and the board should provide whatever support is needed to make sure our students get the best education possible while in our school district. Often times, funding is the driving force behind improvements, and we should always be looking for ways to accomplish this while being fiducially responsible to the taxpayers.
Why should people vote for you? Having previously served as a board member, I believe I would bring a tremendous amount of experience to the board. I am intimately aware of the financial and educational challenges facing a small school district. During my previous terms, state funding issues put our school district through some of the most bleak financial times imaginable. The Lebanon School District managed to not only survive but to thrive as well. We were able to build a new grade school, which drastically improved the educational environment for our younger children, and make renovations/modifications to the high school to benefit our older students. I look forward to rejoining the school board and working to increase the educational experience of the students of the Lebanon community.
NAME: MELISSA “MISSY” MITCHELL
Age: 61
Campaign website: N/A
Office seeking: Lebanon CUSD #9 School Board
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for public office before? No
Occupation: Sales master, Atomy; volunteer
Education: MPA, public administration, Troy State University; BA, English, Culver-Stockton College
Highlight your civic involvement: President, Lebanon Chamber of Commerce; Vice-President, Friends of McAllister Park; Personnel Officer, United States Air Force; St. Clair County election judge; supporter, Mosaic Health; and 40+ years of combined service to youth-serving organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and American Heritage Girls.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My husband and I are the only two campaign contributors.
Why are you running? I love working with the great people of Lebanon. As a host parent to international exchange students, I see serving on the school board as a way to express my thanks to the staff, teachers and students who have been very welcoming to our girls.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? I listen to people, and they tell me their concerns — safety, values, opportunity, longevity, continuity and so on. Some concerns are from personal experiences; others echo news accounts outside our district. For me, the reoccurring top issue affecting all other issues is how do we prepare civic-minded students to successfully compete in their future endeavors?
Fortunately, the Lebanon School District actively supports this goal. In this year alone, I’ve seen our administration implement a variety of new measures to strengthen our students’ skills and to offer more in-service time to teachers. I want to encourage this wave of innovation. As a school board member, I will work with our team to build a strong foundation. We must state an objective, achievable vision. We need to continually assess where we stand in our financial commitments, how we respond to laws and trends, and who to gather from our community to strengthen our resolve.
Why should people vote for you? I’m a team builder who cares. I’ve worked with a diverse group of people from all over the world and have built consensus while establishing achievable goals. As a parent, grandparent and host parent, I know our greatest investment should be in the lives of our students. This is the truth, and our future depends on it.
NAME: NATALIE RUTH
Age: 37
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089792430945&mibextid=LQQJ4d
Office seeking: Lebanon CUSD #9 School Board
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Have you run for public office before? Yes
Occupation: I am a MAP clinical coordinator with the Provider Assistance and Training Hub
Education: Master of arts in professional counseling
Highlight your civic involvement: Jr. Greyhounds basketball coach, Friends of Lebanon Fire Department, Lebanon Elementary School PTO, Cloverbud Leader for the Emerald Clovers 4-H Club, St. Joseph Church PSR teacher and parish council member, St. Libory Henry Schmitz American Legion Auxiliary 683, HELP for Mom Board
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I am self-funded.
Why are you running? I am currently completing an unexpired term for the LCUSD #9 Board of Education. I am seeking another term to continue to support the progress and success that has begun and build upon those successes. Some of the main reasons I am running are to:
1. Make sure that student’s education, well-being, and safety are are the forefront of decision making.
2. Be a good financial steward to the taxpayers of our district.
3. Enhance parent and community input and engagement in the district.
4. Provide the teachers and staff of the district with tools, training and support to adequately educate and help our children.
5. Promote constructive dialogue, collaboration and compromise when differences arise.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? One of the struggles of our district has been the decline in state scores. Work has already began in addressing the state test scores through the implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Power Half Hour in the elementary school, and Response to Interventions (RTI) at the Junior High/High school. I am committed to the district and the future of the district.
Why should people vote for you? I currently have two children in the district and one that will be entering school in a few years. I am fully invested in helping our district to grow and be able to offer the best opportunities for our students. I have served on the Lebanon CUSD #9 Board of Education for the past 1.5 years. During that time I have worked to place the education, safety and well-being of our students at the forefront of decision making. I am committed to increasing parent, student, and community involvement in the district and making sure that their voices are heard. I will continue to support our administration and staff in having access to the best resources to provide the optimal learning environment to help our students learn and grow.
The BND has not received responses from Lebanon School District 9 Board candidate Shawn Dow.
Mascoutah School District 19 Board
NAME: SHANNON FAST
Age: 44
Campaign website: N/A
Office website: Mascoutah District 19 School Board
Are you an incumbent: No
Have you ever run for public office before: No
Occupation: I am a logistics management specialist.
Education: MS, human resource management; and BA, organizational leadership
Highlight your civic involvement: N/A
Who are your top three campaign contributors? N/A.
Why are you running? To be an advocate for the children in our district.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Keeping the integrity of the district’s curriculum. Recently, the school board voted on the new recommended Gifted/Advance Learner program, which will seriously degrade the program. The district received millions of dollars in COVID relief funds from the state and the federal government. The district should be investing in our children, not degrading their education. In addition, HB 1485 was recently introduced into the state legislature. This bill proposes to suspend teaching of all American history curriculum in public schools for the 2023-24 school year; will create a commission to “reframe” history curriculum to include all diverse viewpoints and would resume teaching of this revamped American history in 2024-25 school year.
History should not be erased. History are facts, not viewpoints. If our children are not taught the past, they are doomed to repeat it. It’s important for parents and those concerned citizens to submit witness slips opposing this bill. Another important bill we must oppose is HB 5188, which would require all school districts in Illinois to teach the inappropriate National Sex Education standards (SB 818). Our children need strong advocates who are willing to stand-up for them, challenge them, and instill excellence in their education.
Why should people vote for you? I will push to instill the highest of ethical standards throughout our district and to ensure our children’s education are not compromised. Math, science, English and history are the core foundations of a quality education. I will work hard to ensure the district’s curriculum is not degraded, but rather heighten to challenge our children and instill excellence. I will stand up and fight for our children, and for a parent’s right to choose. My actions have supported this claim, as I was one of the plaintiffs’ who named the district in the statewide lawsuit against the governor, IDPH, and ISBE.
NAME: TONJA JOHNSON
Age as of April 4, 2023: 50
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090152744054
Office seeking: MSD19 Board Member
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: None
Occupation: Wife and mother. My background is in banking (commercial and personal lending as well as customer service). I have volunteered in the classrooms, for youth sports as a coach, a team parent and in the concession stands. Together, my husband and I have eight children (ages 8-23), so my days and evenings are always full, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Education: Some college
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement: I’m a parent volunteer in the classroom and have coached, worked in the concession stands and been the team mom for various sports. I’ve volunteered at homeless shelters and been on many mission trips where we served all types of people.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Me, myself & I
Why are you running? I love Mascoutah! The people are amazing and this school district has been a huge blessing to our family. It is my desire to give back in a positive and supportive way.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Over the last few years it seems parents’ voices have been stifled and the demands of the government have taken precedence on all fronts. I want to be a voice for Mascoutah parents, students and educators. I will listen, I will pray, I will advocate and I will not back down.
Why should people vote for you? When I first thought about running for the Mascoutah School Board, I spoke with each of my eight children, individually, as this decision impacts them every bit as much as it does me. I asked them if I should run, and all eight enthusiastically answered, “YES!” And when I asked them why, the responses were “because you care” and “You’re doing it for the right reasons” and “You’re doing it for us.” And they are right. I do care about our children, our families and this community. I will always choose to do what is in the best interest of our children and this community.
Millstadt School District 160 Board - Incorporated Area
NAME: MATT MILTON
Age as of April 4, 2023: 42
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.facebook.com/Milton.mccsd160
Office seeking: Board of Education Member for Millstadt District 160
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Previous offices sought: Yes - Millstadt School Board Member in 2019
Occupation: Director continuous improvement at Curium Pharma
Education: Bachelor of science in chemical engineering, University of Illinois; Master of business administration, St. Louis University
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement: I am proud to have served as a Millstadt School Board member for the last four years. In that time, I served on the Finance and Negotiating committees.
Notable accomplishments as a school board member:
● Lowered our tax levy each of the last four years;
● Achieved a balanced budget following years of sustained deficit spending;
● Continued to reduce the district’s outstanding debt;
● Received Illinois State Board of Education’s top financial rating of “Recognition” after previously rated “Early Warning”;
● Enhanced our extracurricular programs to provide more opportunities for our students;
● Navigated unprecedented challenges during the pandemic;
● Added exceptional staff to fill both routine openings and newly created specialized positions ;
● Reached a mutually beneficial contract agreement with our teacher’s union;
● Upgraded our facilities with infrastructure improvements, new gym flooring and a solar power system.
I am also a youth coach and actively involved with the Millstadt Xplosion baseball and softball organization. I play an integral role in the planning and execution of our annual summer ball tournaments which are great events for our community. The tournaments raise thousands of dollars that are directly invested back into Millstadt’s parks.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Self-funded
Why are you running? I am running for school board re-election because I want to ensure all children in Millstadt are afforded a top-tier educational experience to help them succeed in high school and beyond. My wife, a Millstadt district graduate, and I, are thankful to be raising our three kids in this community. We have a seventh-grader, a third-grader and a first-grader who all attend school in the district. We’ve become close to many families in Millstadt, and I see the direct impact a high performing school has on the lives of children and families in our community. I want to continue to improve their experiences.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The next board will have the important task of generating a refreshed strategic plan for our district. A thorough and well-designed strategic plan is critical for our district to successfully meet the expectations of our community. We need to maintain our high educational standards, be consistent with Millstadt’s values, meet the diverse needs of our students and teachers, and continue to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money. I intend to offer my unique background and experience in building strategic plans to facilitate the collaborative process and incorporate all stakeholder input to address both short-term and long-term needs.
Why should people vote for you? As a parent of three children in the district and active community member, I am committed to serving our schools to be sure all students are provided an outstanding educational experience. My unique background and experience in engineering and business strategy provides the district valuable guidance and perspective to make decisions that enable our community to thrive. I am grateful for the trust of the voters and for the opportunity to continue the work to improve our schools and our community.
The BND has not received a response from Millstadt School District 160 Board candidate Raymond Rayburn.
Millstadt School District 160 Board - Unincorporated Area
NAME: STACY BELOSI
Age as of April 4, 2023: 40
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090445471506
Office seeking: School board member of Millstadt Community Consolidated School District #160
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: No
Occupation: Principal at Smithton CCSD #130
Education: Education-Master of science degree in special education Bachelor of science degree in elementary education/Certification-Illinois professional educator license endorsements-elementary education, learning behavior specialist I, and general administrative (K-12)
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement: As a sixth-grade teacher at Millstadt, I promoted the history of our community through the Millstadt Project. We took our students on walking tours of the town and discussed the historical significance of many different places. My mother, Patty Evansco, is the director of Senior Services in Millstadt. I have helped with Meals on Wheels and encouraged my own children and other schoolchildren to volunteer to help the seniors.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? I do not have any campaign contributors.
Why are you running? I love being part of Millstadt, and I hope to have the opportunity and privilege to serve our community as a school board member. As a candidate for the school board, I offer a unique perspective as an educator, parent and community member. I am running because I believe students and teachers should be the number one priority. My own children attend Millstadt, which has also given me a personal interest in preserving and improving the quality of education. My role as a school board member would be to serve as a leader in the community by fostering policies, informed by community input, that move our school in a positive direction.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? One of the top issues in education is class size. Smaller class sizes allow for more individual attention and student engagement. Teachers are continuing to see more learning gaps and are unable to meet the needs of students in their classrooms. I will advocate for smaller class sizes for our teachers and students.
Why should people vote for you? My 17 years in various instructional roles has prepared me for this exceptional opportunity. I grew up in Millstadt and value our small, family oriented community. I taught at Millstadt School for seven years. My husband, Matt Belosi, has taught at Millstadt for 22 years. Our triplets, Molly, Sawyer and Tess attend Millstadt School and are in fifth grade. My up close and personal perspective as a former teacher in the district, parent and community member will assist me in making decisions that support our school, with a focus on our students and teachers. As a member of the school board, my priorities will be to maintain the community’s values, continue excellence in education, and advocate for the needs of our students.
NAME: JOSH FROESE
Age as of April 4, 2023: 45
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090923413344
Office seeking: Millstadt Board of Education
Are you an incumbent? No
Previous offices sought: None
Occupation: Construction project nanager, Baxmeyer Construction Inc.
Education: BS civil engineering, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement: Royal Ranger Commander and Sunday School Teacher at Life Community Church of Columbia
Who are your top three campaign contributors? None
Why are you running? I believe MCS should be locally governed rather than following the demands of bureaucrats in Chicago or Washington, D.C. I believe my life experience can be an asset to the Board of Education.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Local control of MCS
Why should people vote for you? I grew up a Millstadt Panther, graduating in 1992. Five years ago I brought my four kids back to Millstadt to become Panthers. This gives me a personal stake in the success of the MCS education system. I’m a fiscal conservative with Christian values. I believe MCS should be locally governed rather than following the demands of bureaucrats in Chicago or Washington, D.C.
NAME: GARY HUWER
Age as of April 4, 2023: 76
Campaign website or social media page: N/A
Office seeking: School board member Millstadt CCSD 160
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Previous offices sought: I was the Millstadt Township assessor and a Millstadt Township trustee for over 25 years.
Occupation: Retired teacher, principal and pharmacy technician for over 45 years in each position. Millstadt school and Harold Smith Pharmacy.
Education: Attended Millstadt School, Belleville Township High School, bachelor’s degree McKendree University, masters’ degree Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement: Millstadt Township Assessor, Millstadt Township Trustee, Millstadt Jaycees, Governing Board Millstadt Senior Center, Governing Board BASSC, Belleville Moose, Director of Millstadt Thursday Golf League, Belleville Anglers, National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, AARP, Illinois Principals Association, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Student Liaison Wayne L. Laufer Charitable Foundation, Millstadt Community Consolidated School District 160 School Board, Illinois School Board Association
Who are your top three campaign contributors? No campaign contributors
Why are you running? I am running to preserve, improve and maintain the quality and standards of our great schools for the betterment of our children and community.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The major concern for me and many parents in our district is maintaining small class sizes. When I was the principal at MCS I always made an effort to keep class sizes low, especially in the primary grades. This can be accomplished by listening to parents, monitoring class numbers, and charging our superintendent to adhere to a responsible budget. Fiscal responsibility on the part of the board of education is also a part of the equation.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me based on my dedication to students, the school and community; educational experience; concern for students; my character; concern for the well being of the school district and community and attention to the fiscal responsibility of the district.
The BND has not received responses from Millstadt School District 160 Board candidates Robert Dahm and Luke Linnemann.
Southwestern Illinois College Board Subdistrict 2 (Includes St. Clair County)
NAME: JOHN BLOMENKAMP
Age as of April 4, 2023: 56
Campaign website or social media page: None
Office seeking: SWIC Trustee Subdistrict 2
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) Elected three terms from 2003 to 2015 as Freeburg District 70 Board member
Occupation: Director facility operations/Farmer, small construction company
Education: Associate of applied science degree /SWIC, graduate of (BAC) SWIC Police Academy,
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Volunteering to our military veterans by collecting and donating used books, magazines and disability equipment to veterans in need or taking them to a VA hospital. I am an alumni of SWIC and have donated to the athletic fundraisers and donated medical supplies to the nursing program for their use. I have collected and donated aluminum cans to a local church to support youth activities. I am an alumni of Freeburg FFA and have donated items for their fundraisers. I own a horse boarding service and have volunteered the use of my facilities for children with autism or special needs for therapy. I have 24 years of law enforcement background and have given many hours of volunteering during those years at the local school speaking to the children.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My contributors are in the form of moral support from my family, friends, constituents and colleagues that support me and my values.
Why are you running? To keep SWIC a leader in education. We have excellent educators, staff, employees and students at SWIC and we need to keep up the high standards. Students come to SWIC knowing they will get a great education at the lowest tuition cost in the state of Illinois among all community colleges. Many of our students get hired by companies before they even graduate knowing SWIC programs are excellent. Here is a great quote by Confucius “If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees. If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.” It takes people wearing all different types of hats to educate exceptional students.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The top issue is trying to increase enrollment. Getting enrollment up is our #1 concern. As of this writing our enrollment is up 5.5% over last year, but still far from the levels of pre-COVID. We have advertised over and over the quality of education that can be had at SWIC. SWIC needs more involvement with the high schools to offer more dual credit classes at the high school level, increase the Running Start Program, and develop partnerships with businesses to increase Work Force Development Training/Career Training. Keeping our tuition the lowest in the state and keeping students fees low are pluses. SWIC needs all stakeholders involved to be creative in finding ways to increase enrollment.
Why should people vote for you? I am a trustee who knows how hard the taxpayer works to pay their taxes and their money needs to be spent wisely. I am against wasteful spending, tuition increases, excessive student fees, and any increase in taxes over what is allotted.
I have over 40 years of budgetary experience from a home budget to an owner of a construction company budget, to my employers’ budget and the farm budget. Even when I was a kid raising livestock, I had a budget. We all have to live within a budget including SWIC. If there is money left over in the budget, we don’t spend it to satisfy the budget, we save it for other things that are needed. I am proud that I have saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars and increased our fund balance.
I am a proud supporter of SWIC and the programs SWIC offers. My constituents who know me, know I am an advocate of all stakeholders of SWIC. I do what is best for SWIC , the communities and the students, let’s keep SWIC a leader of education.
NAME: SEAN P. MCPEAK
Age as of April 4, 2023: 37
Campaign website or social media page: Sean McPeak on Facebook
Office seeking: Board of Trustees
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department deputy
Education: Associate’s from Southwestern Illinois College
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have volunteered in several aspects of my life. Over the years I was the basketball coach at Queen of Peace Catholic Grade School for five years. I was an assistant coach for the Little Devils football organization for two years. I am currently an assistant football coach for the Junior Midgets football organization and have been for the past two years. I have been a guest speaker on several occasions with high school students of the aspects of law enforcement in its current state in America. Finally, I was involved in the start up program at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department for Beyond Scared Straight, a program in which we bring in troubled youth and show them the aspects of life in jail if they do not change the errors of their ways in the public. This is one of my greatest accomplishments as it directly affected our youth in helping them to change their lives for the better.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? N/A
Why are you running? I am running to ensure the college continues to grow and prosper. To ensure the college is a success for the future of our children so they always have an option in our community for higher education.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? My top issues of the race are to ensure the growth of the college and working hand and hand with the staff, teachers and students to ensure they have a voice in how we move forward as a college.
Why should people vote for you? I am a former athlete as well as a graduate of Southwestern Illinois College. I know the importance of the college being in this area as some high school students as well as adults have limited resources to go away to college. This college helped me directly when I had to return home from college to be close to home as I’m sure it has for others in the past and will in the future. We must ensure the success and growth of the college for the future and I believe I can be a part of this for years to come.
Southwestern Illinois College Board Subdistrict 4 (St. Clair County)
The BND has not received responses from Southwestern Illinois College Board candidates Matthew Burke and Craig Nunnally.
