Six in race for school board seats
Dec. 24—Four people have thus far had a chance to express their motivation and goals in running for St. Joseph Board of Education, out of the six total candidates.
Ronda Chesney, Warren Ingram III, Sean Connors, and LaTonya Williams all joined the race earlier in December. Thursday saw new bids from Mike Moore and Jacob McMillian, who will appear for interviews with News-Press NOW later, amid Christmas celebrations.
Chesney works for the Missouri Western State University Department of Education, helping to train future career teachers like herself. She previously worked for the school district.
"For several classes I teach, we actually meet in St. Joe schools, so I'm there to see what today's classrooms are like ... I bring, I feel like, my own experience as a teacher, and the challenges that can come from being a teacher, and also the successes of being a teacher and the benefits of being a teacher," Chesney said. "So, I feel like I can bring that to the board, that perspective."
The six are competing to fill the seats currently held by Williams, David Foster and Kenneth Reeder. Williams is the only incumbent who so far has decided to seek a new three-year term. Foster has said he will not. Reeder has thus far declined to say whether or not he intends to run for re-election.
The election is scheduled for April 2. The seven total board members will then vote among themselves to choose a president, vice president and other roles.
Filings will be open for a final opportunity from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Every would-be candidate must report in person to door No. 5 at 1415 N. 26th St., and consult with the Board Secretary and her staff on the second floor. Eight qualifications must be met for anyone who wishes to file as a candidate.
They include:
U.S. citizenship.
Eligibility to vote in the district.
Residence somewhere in Missouri since at least April 1, 2023.
Age of at least 24 years.
No known tax delinquency.
No felony criminal history.
No history of sexually based offenses.
Prompt filing of all required paperwork with the Missouri Ethics Commission.
All board members serve as unpaid volunteers, though certain expenses are covered. If elected, anyone who works in any paid role for the St. Joseph School District would have to resign before they take office in April 2024. Work for other districts is permitted.
Marcus Clem can be reached at marcus.clem@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NPNowClem
