Mascoutah School District 19 board member

Gregory Guenther

Belleville

Age: 58

Job: Farmer / Consultant

Phone: 618-277-2105

Email: greg.guenther54@gmail.com

Education: Some College

Previous offices:

Qualifications: The board of education needs members who are strategic thinkers, who can focus on goals and vision and are financially astute. Board members need to allow the professional staff to do their jobs and support them in their efforts while concentrating on long-term goals, vision and policy development for the district. Basically the mission of the board of education is governance. This candidate has the skills necessary to fulfill this position. Thirty years in volunteer leadership at the local, state and national levels has given me invaluable insights into the intricacies of board leadership. Owning and operating a number of businesses has given me the financial insight necessary to help utilize district resources efficiently and effectively.

Top issues: There are two basic issues facing our district. They are finance and population growth. Finance: There is a tremendous uncertainty in the ability and willingness of the state of Illinois and the federal government to fulfill their financial obligations to our public schools. Potentially reduced income from these entities is a very real possibility that cannot be ignored. Increased population growth: Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19 is one of the top school districts in the state and region. For that reason people with school age children are eager to locate within the district. We are fast becoming the school district of choice for Scott AFB. The district needs to provide classrooms, teachers and support staff along with transportation to serve these students. Proper allocation of available resources to serve these needs is vital to the mission of providing a quality education to our students.

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Mascoutah School District 19 board member

Kenneth Kilian

Belleville

Age: 52

Job: Construction company owner / executive

Phone: 618-277-0422

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Email: None provided

Education: Bachelor of Science in Construction from Bradley University

Previous offices: Current Vice President of Mascoutah District 19 Board of Education

Qualifications: I have been on the Mascoutah School Board for the past 12 years and for the past several years have served as the Board's Vice President and Chairman of the Building Committee. I have an extensive background in the construction industry and this experience has allowed me to provide unique insight in helping the district plan and execute its ongoing building programs. The business experience that I have gained over the past 30 years of co-owning and managing a construction company has allowed me to share ideas and provide management insight to the administration as it relates to the business side of the Districts operation.

Top issues: The top issue facing all school districts for the foreseeable future is state and federal funding. Growing economic turmoil, pension shortfalls and ever increasing state budget deficits continue to put pressure on local school boards due to decreasing revenue streams. While it will continue to be important to maintain fiscal discipline going forward, District 19 has been able to maintain strong operating reserves that will allow us to weather this current economic downturn, while still providing an excellent educational experience that our students deserve. Another primary issue facing our district is growth. Even given the recent housing slowdown, Mascoutah has experienced significant increases in our student population, especially noticable at the elementary level. District voters are being asked to support a board recommedation to construct a new elementary school to provide the space needed to house the increasing number of students coming into our district. I have be very involved in the planning process for this new school and highly support its passage. Please vote yes.

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Mascoutah School District 19 board member

Randy Renth

Mascoutah

Age: 49

Job: certified public accountant, Rickhoff & Associates

Phone: 618-588-3276

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Email: electrandyrenth@gmail.com

Education: BS - Accounting, Illinois State University; AS Belleville Area College; Graduate - Mascoutah Community High School

Previous offices: Member, Board of Education Mascoutah Community Unit School District 19 2001 - present; Director, Clinton County Electric Cooperative, Breese, IL 1996 - present; Director, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, Dulles, VA

Qualifications: I have been on the school board since 2001 and believe I am knowledgeable on many issues. Since the money used to operate a school district comes from taxpayers, it is imperative school board members be fiscally responsible in performing their task. With my background as a Certified Public Accountant, I perform this task daily. My financial background has also enabled me to provide insight on many financially driven aspects of the district.

Top issues: I believe the top issues facing the district are as follows: 1) Student population growth 2) Funding at the federal and state level 3) Hunt Corporation tax and EAV issue 4) Bullying and the social media and their effect on students, staff, and parents 5) Making resources available to students so that they can succeed, whether they are academic, athletic, or skilled trade.

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Mascoutah School District 19 board member

Susan Albrecht

Mascoutah

Age: 59

Job: Agriculture Sales

Phone: 618-973-8932

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Email: alb3@wisperhome.com

Education: BS Crops and Soils, Purdue University

Previous offices: No elected positions, several commumity committees- Engelmann Township Neighborhood Watch captain, St. Clair Co. Ag in the Classroom Committee, six yrs on University of Illinois Extension counsel,

Qualifications: Knowledge of how a board operates, past and present community involvement, desire to improve the overall education environment in the Mascoutah schools.

Top issues: Commitment to keep the quality of education high while keeping the school tax rate at or below its current level. Increased communication between students, teachers, parents and administration. Ensure that money spent goes toward legitimate education purposes.

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Mascoutah School District 19 board member

Terry Hosford

Engelmann

Age: Not provided

Job: USAF Chief Master Sargent Retired

USAF Chief Master Sargent Retired

Phone: 618-566-7418

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Email: hosford@accessus.net

Education: Associate degree

Previous offices: Mascoutah School District 19 School Board Member

Qualifications: Four years as a member of the Mascoutah School District 19 School Board of Education, Member of the Illinois School Board Association, ISBA attended three years of ISBA Training sessions covering school finance,Educational Technology,and the ever-changing Illinois laws covering education. I am willing to continue as I have done for the past four years to devote time and energy to understanding and representing the needs and issues that affect our students, families and taxpayers in order ot maintain Mascoutah District 19 in high academic standing.

Top issues: To continue to provide the very best education possible for our children. Providing our outstanding teachers with support and tools needed to keep School District 19 among the top schools in the state of Illinois. Keeping the tax rate as low as possible for our taxpayers through good fiscal management and contined support of the Military Impacted School Association MISA with our elected Representatives in Washington D.C. to assure continued impact aid Dollars to our district.

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Mascoutah School District 19 board member

Dreaux Barnes

Mascoutah

Age: 40

Job: Construction Engineer II

Phone: 678-770-6382

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Email: CJBPL4@charter.net

Education: B.S. Worforce Education and Development

Previous offices: None

Qualifications: I have two children in the school district and I want to make sure the sucess of District 19 continues and I would enjoy the privelage of having a voice in my children's education for the future

Top issues: Class room size. New school.