Monte Miller, candidate for Dupo 196 School Board

Name: Monte Miller

Political party (if applicable): N/A

Age as of April 6, 2021: 42

Campaign website or social media page: N/A

Office seeking: Dupo School Board Member

Are you an incumbent? Yes

Previous offices sought: Dupo School Board, Daugherty Library District

Occupation: Reporter

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Please list the highlights of your civic involvement: Member of the Daugherty Library Board since 2014, Dupo School Board since 2017, Dupo Volunteer Fire Department since 2005. Former vice president of the Greater Dupo/East Carondelet Chamber of Commerce.

Why are you running? To do what is best for the youth of Dupo. I was born and raised here and want to assure Dupo is a great place to raise our children for generations to come. A good education lays those foundations.

What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Like all school districts, we have struggled with the pandemic. Myself and fellow board members, administration, teachers, staff and maintenance team have been proactive in getting students back into the classrooms as early as possible while at the same time listening to parents and giving them options and tools to make the best educational/safety choices for their children. Dupo was one of the only school districts in the metro-east to begin the school year in person and in recent weeks we have become the model for our neighbors who are just now getting students back in person.

Why should people vote for you? What’s best for the kids? That’s the main question we ask ourselves when making every school related decision. Dupo is a tight-knit community and the education and well being of our children must be our top priority. My family has been here for nearly 80 years and my children are fourth generation Dupo residents. Many other families have been here longer, but we also have those who are new to our community. I’ve served my town in many ways and hope to be given the opportunity to assure Dupo is a wonderful place for everyone to live and learn.

This story was originally published February 24, 2021 at 2:51 PM.