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Board of Education Election is April 7
March 2, 2015
Four candidates are running to fill two three-year seats on the Lindbergh Schools Board of Education. The election will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2015.
The Lindbergh community is invited to attend a Board of Education candidate forum Thursday, March 12 at 7 p.m. in the Board of Education meeting room at Lindbergh Early Childhood Education, 4814 S. Lindbergh Blvd. A moderator will ask a series of questions pertaining to relevant issue in the district.
The candidate responses below are listed in the same order in which their names will appear on the election ballot.
Karen Roush Schuster | Daniel Sampson | Kate Holloway | Andrea Gannon |
Candidate Information
Name: Karen Roush Schuster
Occupation: Executive Director, LifeBridge Partnership
Lived in Lindbergh: 42 years
Name: Daniel Sampson
Occupation: Project Manager, St. Louis County
Lived in Lindbergh: 4 years
Name: Kate Holloway
Occupation: Public Service, Board of Education
Name: Karen Roush Schuster
Occupation: Executive Director, LifeBridge Partnership
Lived in Lindbergh: 42 years
Name: Daniel Sampson
Occupation: Project Manager, St. Louis County
Lived in Lindbergh: 4 years
Name: Kate Holloway
Occupation: Public Service, Board of Education
Lived in Lindbergh: 23 years
Name: Andrea Gannon
Occupation: Director of Alternative Programs, Belleville Township High School District 201
Lived in Lindbergh: 18 years
Do you have any children or other family members in the district?
SCHUSTER: My husband and I have four children. Our oldest graduated from LHS in 2013. We have a junior at LHS and a 6th grader at Truman. Our youngest child enters kindergarten next year at Long Elementary. My parents also reside in the district.
SAMPSON: Yes. My wife and I have two children; Noah (3) attends ECE and Lyla (1).
HOLLOWAY: 4
GANNON: Dave Gannon, husband; Taylor Poole, daughter (senior at Lindbergh High School)
Why are you running for a position on the Board of Education?
SCHUSTER: Along with the friendships and fond memories, I received a quality education at Lindbergh. Because of my roots and the tradition of quality education, we chose to raise our family in the Lindbergh District. I have served one term on the Board of Education and want to continue serving in this capacity. I can think of no better way to give back to the community.
SAMPSON: I have a strong commitment to this community. My children mean a great deal to me and their education is essential to who they will become later in life. I want to be involved not only in their lives but help all children who call Lindbergh home. We are entering a time where the influx of families into our district is going to cause growing pains and we need to be financially smart while also providing support to our teachers and administrators who will need to handle this growth directly.
HOLLOWAY: My first term, a lot of time and effort is required getting established in the role and responsibilities as a Board member. I am ready and willing to move forward serving Lindbergh to support efforts to keep excellence in education the standard.
GANNON: I am running for the position on the Lindbergh Schools Board of Education to give back to the school district and community that not only provided me with a quality education, but my daughter as well. Being an educator for the past 22 years, I believe I can bring my own unique experiences and the belief that you should always put children first. It would be an honor to be a member of the board and continue to maintain the academic excellence Lindbergh Schools has to offer the children of our community.
What previous involvement or volunteer work do you have with Lindbergh Schools that qualifies you to run for the Board of Education?
SCHUSTER: In addition to currently serving on the Board of Education, I have volunteered in various roles throughout the District for 15 years:
HOLLOWAY: 1992-2005 Truman Elementary active involvement with all 4 children K-5. Project graduations: fundraisers, 1994 Prize Committee Chairperson and 1994-05 chaperone, Spirit Festival Committee, Sport clubs etc… Class of 2014; Project graduation, fundraisers, Chili Cook Off, Mouse Races supported student effort organizing first Baccalaureate Solemn Ceremony 1994, Elected 2011 New Board member, Board certification, School events and Activities, PTO/meetings etc… The time invested on behalf of children with other families is what makes great communities.
GANNON: I have served children in our community as a select softball coach for 10 years. In addition, I will be volunteering at Project Graduation, as my daughter graduates this year.
Do you have any endorsements or support from a political party or PAC?
SCHUSTER: No
SAMPSON: No. This is a non-political position and as such I will be staying non-partisan.
HOLLOWAY: Believing Quality Schools are at the heart of a vibrant and thriving community. With support of family and friends, my campaign message was heard, resulting in a successful outcome.
GANNON: No, I do not have any endorsements or support from a political party or PAC.
Lindbergh has become the fastest growing school district in St. Louis County. Do you support measures that will be required to maintain reasonable class sizes moving forward?
SCHUSTER: Yes, I support fiscally sound measures to maintain smaller class sizes and provide supports to teachers to ensure instruction is individualized to students’ needs.
SAMPSON: Yes. Class size has a direct effect on students’ learning. As long as the measures taken keep us with a balanced budget, I will support the efforts.
HOLLOWAY: It is important to maintain reasonable class sizes to ensure every child meets their full learning potential.
GANNON: As a board member, I would support the community’s needs in order to ensure we are maintaining the appropriate class size for our students. I believe one of the school board’s primary responsibilities is to ensure to taxpayers that their funds are being allocated in a fiscally responsible manner that will meet the needs of our current and projected student enrollment.
The state legislature has and will continue to consider changes to public school law, including vouchers, open enrollment and increased accountability testing. What are your thoughts on these issues and how they affect Lindbergh?
SCHUSTER: I want all children to have access to quality education. However, I do not favor legislation that diminishes local control of a school district, increases taxpayer burden, or creates a new level of bureaucracy. Legislation proposing vouchers or open enrollment must, at a minimum:
SAMPSON: As a citizen, I can encourage my representative to support measures that do not add seats to our schools without necessary compensation. As a potential board member, the best I can do is react and adapt to the changes the state requires of us.
HOLLOWAY: Lindbergh is a very stable school district staffed by capable, dedicated people where quality education is a high priority. Essential support involves the entire community to be proactive in the efforts to maintaining local control of our Schools, voicing your opinions to your legislative representatives, keep informed and attend School Board meetings.
GANNON: Throughout my career as an educator, state legislatures have continually changed public school law. It is essential to continue to educate ourselves on the issues and the impact it will have on our school districts. Vouchers and open enrollment have benefits for the students participating; however implementation could have financial, class-size and accreditation implications for the school the students are attending.
Lindbergh has traditionally scored very well on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). The tests are one measurement that informs the community of how our schools are performing against school districts across the country. I believe if the state increases accountability testing, Lindbergh will continue to adjust in order to ensure the children of their schools are being educated by one of the top school districts in Missouri.
Name: Andrea Gannon
Occupation: Director of Alternative Programs, Belleville Township High School District 201
Lived in Lindbergh: 18 years
Do you have any children or other family members in the district?
SCHUSTER: My husband and I have four children. Our oldest graduated from LHS in 2013. We have a junior at LHS and a 6th grader at Truman. Our youngest child enters kindergarten next year at Long Elementary. My parents also reside in the district.
SAMPSON: Yes. My wife and I have two children; Noah (3) attends ECE and Lyla (1).
HOLLOWAY: 4
GANNON: Dave Gannon, husband; Taylor Poole, daughter (senior at Lindbergh High School)
Why are you running for a position on the Board of Education?
SCHUSTER: Along with the friendships and fond memories, I received a quality education at Lindbergh. Because of my roots and the tradition of quality education, we chose to raise our family in the Lindbergh District. I have served one term on the Board of Education and want to continue serving in this capacity. I can think of no better way to give back to the community.
SAMPSON: I have a strong commitment to this community. My children mean a great deal to me and their education is essential to who they will become later in life. I want to be involved not only in their lives but help all children who call Lindbergh home. We are entering a time where the influx of families into our district is going to cause growing pains and we need to be financially smart while also providing support to our teachers and administrators who will need to handle this growth directly.
HOLLOWAY: My first term, a lot of time and effort is required getting established in the role and responsibilities as a Board member. I am ready and willing to move forward serving Lindbergh to support efforts to keep excellence in education the standard.
GANNON: I am running for the position on the Lindbergh Schools Board of Education to give back to the school district and community that not only provided me with a quality education, but my daughter as well. Being an educator for the past 22 years, I believe I can bring my own unique experiences and the belief that you should always put children first. It would be an honor to be a member of the board and continue to maintain the academic excellence Lindbergh Schools has to offer the children of our community.
What previous involvement or volunteer work do you have with Lindbergh Schools that qualifies you to run for the Board of Education?
SCHUSTER: In addition to currently serving on the Board of Education, I have volunteered in various roles throughout the District for 15 years:
- Crestwood – PTO (Treasurer) and classroom volunteer
- Long, Truman Elementary, Sperreng/Truman Middle Schools – classroom volunteer and parent group member
- LHS – Bandstanders; concession volunteer (football/wrestling); LFA fundraising committee; Interact Club Rotary liaison (2012-2014)
- District - Lindbergh Schools Foundation Board (Treasurer 2011-2014); Treasurer for committees supporting Propositions R, L, and G; Character Council (2014-15); community budget committee (2010)
HOLLOWAY: 1992-2005 Truman Elementary active involvement with all 4 children K-5. Project graduations: fundraisers, 1994 Prize Committee Chairperson and 1994-05 chaperone, Spirit Festival Committee, Sport clubs etc… Class of 2014; Project graduation, fundraisers, Chili Cook Off, Mouse Races supported student effort organizing first Baccalaureate Solemn Ceremony 1994, Elected 2011 New Board member, Board certification, School events and Activities, PTO/meetings etc… The time invested on behalf of children with other families is what makes great communities.
GANNON: I have served children in our community as a select softball coach for 10 years. In addition, I will be volunteering at Project Graduation, as my daughter graduates this year.
Do you have any endorsements or support from a political party or PAC?
SCHUSTER: No
SAMPSON: No. This is a non-political position and as such I will be staying non-partisan.
HOLLOWAY: Believing Quality Schools are at the heart of a vibrant and thriving community. With support of family and friends, my campaign message was heard, resulting in a successful outcome.
GANNON: No, I do not have any endorsements or support from a political party or PAC.
Lindbergh has become the fastest growing school district in St. Louis County. Do you support measures that will be required to maintain reasonable class sizes moving forward?
SCHUSTER: Yes, I support fiscally sound measures to maintain smaller class sizes and provide supports to teachers to ensure instruction is individualized to students’ needs.
SAMPSON: Yes. Class size has a direct effect on students’ learning. As long as the measures taken keep us with a balanced budget, I will support the efforts.
HOLLOWAY: It is important to maintain reasonable class sizes to ensure every child meets their full learning potential.
GANNON: As a board member, I would support the community’s needs in order to ensure we are maintaining the appropriate class size for our students. I believe one of the school board’s primary responsibilities is to ensure to taxpayers that their funds are being allocated in a fiscally responsible manner that will meet the needs of our current and projected student enrollment.
The state legislature has and will continue to consider changes to public school law, including vouchers, open enrollment and increased accountability testing. What are your thoughts on these issues and how they affect Lindbergh?
SCHUSTER: I want all children to have access to quality education. However, I do not favor legislation that diminishes local control of a school district, increases taxpayer burden, or creates a new level of bureaucracy. Legislation proposing vouchers or open enrollment must, at a minimum:
- Protect Lindbergh’s right to define and maintain desired class sizes based upon available space and financial resources
- Ensure the implementation of vouchers or open enrollment accounts for disparity between every districts’ local tax base, cost to educate a child, and state funding level so that they are not financially harmed
- Establish accountability for private schools receiving public funding
SAMPSON: As a citizen, I can encourage my representative to support measures that do not add seats to our schools without necessary compensation. As a potential board member, the best I can do is react and adapt to the changes the state requires of us.
HOLLOWAY: Lindbergh is a very stable school district staffed by capable, dedicated people where quality education is a high priority. Essential support involves the entire community to be proactive in the efforts to maintaining local control of our Schools, voicing your opinions to your legislative representatives, keep informed and attend School Board meetings.
GANNON: Throughout my career as an educator, state legislatures have continually changed public school law. It is essential to continue to educate ourselves on the issues and the impact it will have on our school districts. Vouchers and open enrollment have benefits for the students participating; however implementation could have financial, class-size and accreditation implications for the school the students are attending.
Lindbergh has traditionally scored very well on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). The tests are one measurement that informs the community of how our schools are performing against school districts across the country. I believe if the state increases accountability testing, Lindbergh will continue to adjust in order to ensure the children of their schools are being educated by one of the top school districts in Missouri.