O'Fallon High District 203 board member

Keith Richter

O'Fallon

Age: 62

Job: Retired

Phone: 618-581-5029

Web:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Email: cgkar99@yahoo.com

Education: 2 & 1/2 yrs college

Previous offices: District 90 School Board

Qualifications: I have served on the D90 School Board for the last 12 years (10 as Vice-President). I am an active member of the Southwestern Division of the Illinois Association of School Boards and keep informed of of what is happening the the State, the Country, as well as other local boards.

Top issues: The financial crisis that is facing us and where we are going to prioritize education.

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O'Fallon High District 203 board member candidates Steve Dirnbeck, Lynda Cozad and Jeffrey G. Mintzlaff did not respond.

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O'Fallon High District 203 board member (2-year term)

Al Keeler

O'Fallon

Age: 53

Job: Executive, IT and Strategy Consulting Firm

Phone: 618-641-1120

Web:

Facebook: alkeelerdist203

Twitter: @alkeelerdist203

Email: alkeeler4schoolboard@gmail.com

Education: Master's Degree - Webster University and Bachelor's Degree - University of Missouri - Columbia

Previous offices: Current O'Fallon City Planning Commission

Qualifications: I'm the candidate best qualified for this position for two reasons: 1) The experience I've gained through the privilege of representing O'Fallon after my appointment 18 months ago gives me the advantage of seeing first-hand the issues we must confront and also how we should change our approach; 2) I bring a unique perspective and set of skills to the Board. My wife and I are OTHS parents and have put two children successfully through Districts 90 and 203. My background serving in faith-based initiatives proves that there are positive new ideas for helping to mentor and educate kids without raising taxes. I'm a business executive and hiring manager and offer a new perspective in terms of the skills needed to prepare our children for the future. I'm married to a Teacher and understand the commitment and sacrifice made by so many educators every single day. I'm a retired Air Force Officer bringing that voice to the many issues encountered by military families. Most importantly, I pledge to LISTEN to your input and make decisions based upon what's best for our children and our community.

Top issues: The top issue is how to maintain our quality of education given the funding pressures on the district and our families. I was appointed 18 months ago and I need your support to complete the positive change I've brought to board decision-making. OTHS is a terrific school but the crisis in state funding plus the challenge of a new global economy, demand change. In my short time, I've contributed new goals to start the move into that uncertain future. I've also added an "outsiders" voice to the board that's been lacking, one of fresh new ideas for educating students in spite of budget pressures. We must be INNOVATIVE in order to meet the challenge of less state funding and having to do more with less. We have to help our teachers deal with the challenge of an increasing workload. I'm asking for your vote to complete my work on the OTHS School Board, to be your voice for change and for quality education, values, fairness, and a commitment to educating all children.

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O'Fallon High District 203 board member (2-year term)

Debora Trainor

Shiloh

Age: 54

Job: Adjunct Instructor

Phone: 618-589-1923

Web:

Facebook:

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Email: debora.trainor@yahoo.com

Education: M.A. School Psychology

Previous offices: None

Qualifications: I earned a B.A. from SUNY Brockport, and my teaching certificate after attending SIUE. Later, I obtained a M.A. in School Psychology from the University of Texas-Pan American, and licensures from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. I hold equivalent certificates in Illinois. I have worked in Magnet school, Public School systems, and clinical settings since 1988. I wanted to know first-hand the challenges that face the school board and help to become part of the solution. My wide range of experience in traditional school settings, completely online high school programs, and hybrid courses that comprise elements of both, could add to the knowledge base of the school board. I am a multilingual supporter of international exchange programs to develop a "global" school culture. Despite being an OTHS graduate, my greatest asset is the absence of political, social, or relational ties with the school board or its members. This would allow me to see past "tradition" and give open consideration to what needs to adapt to better prepare our students for the world ahead.

Top issues: All school boards face the challenge of providing rigorous and relevant courses to prepare their students. In addition, each year federal and state guidelines introduce more mandates, but often not the funding to make them happen. School boards must create these programs while at the same time maintaining and/or improving the current educational system already in place. At the very least, creativity is a huge requirement. "Common Core Standards" seek to add a global perspective to all areas of education. These standards must be met while improving education in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering as well. Teachers need support, training, and guidance. Students need access to current technologies, parents need to know their children are safe. Now, more than ever, boards must seek "outside" the traditional answers to uncover ways to partner with organizations, community resources, and investors to create a front-running school that incites innovation, creativity, and global awareness among our students.

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O'Fallon High District 203 board member (2-year term)

John Rosenbaum

O'Fallon

Age: 61

Job: Airline Pilot

Phone: 618-234-1113

Web:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Email: None provided

Education: M.S.

Previous offices: none

Qualifications: My last assigment in the Air Force was administering a contract for an aircrew training system. It had an annual budget of $25 million with a throughput of 2,200 students; very similar to District 203. As a union member, I have the understanding of the concerns of the teachers during contract negotiations having experienced that situation personally . As a taxpayer, I have the immense appreciation for the state of the current economy and its effect on families and their budgets and quality of life. Having this personal connection and understanding of both sides of this budget conflict, I feel I can provide the bridge to connect the monetary concerns of the teachers, the taxpayers, and the one group they both want to see prosper; the students/sons and daughters of O'Fallon.

Top issues: Property taxes and the probabiltiy of teachers pensions becoming the total responsibility of the individual districts. I believe it is inevitable that Springfield will ultimately lay that cost burden on us and getting ahead of that NOW is critical, including laying the groundwork for possible work-arounds. One of the best ways though to get ahead of all this is get more public involvement and information out. as it is now, physical attendance at a school board meeting is about the only way to accomplish that. Yes, the minutes are online, but it is only a partial information. In this day and age of internet access, there are numerous, inexpensive ways to allow LIVE broadcasts of these meetings and even the potential for live particiaption. With greater ease of access in such a public forum, more voices would be heard and the community of O'Fallon would be better served and represented.