Three of the six candidates running for two open seats on the Brentwood School District Board of Education answered questions at a League of Women Voters forum Monday night at the district conference center.
About 30 residents came and submitted the questions, which a LWV moderator posed to the candidates.
Candidates Lois Truman, Mark Womer (incumbent), and Jamie Allen were there. Joseph Missey, Christopher Pulliam and Jason M. Mayer were not there.
Truman, Woman and Allen were all in favor of the VICC program, (Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation), which brings students from St. Louis city into county schools.
All said they’re against guns in classrooms — arming teachers. All approved student actions such as walkouts, as long as the activities are structured and positive.
Truman and Womer said they were opposed to a merger with Clayton or Maplewood Richmond Heights schools. Womer said small schools is what defines Brentwood. Truman said research shows education always suffers in mergers. Allen said he couldn’t say for sure, not knowing what a merger would look like.
The election takes place on April 3.
Jamie Allen’s opening remarks
Mark Womer’s opening remarks
Lois Truman’s opening remarks
Each candidate’s personal experience with public education and how it influenced them to run for the school board
Thoughts on one vs. two elementary schools
Would they vote for the ‘Thrive’ Christian-based sex education program, and thoughts on science-based education vs. ‘intelligent design’
Jamie Allen — Why he wants to serve on the board/closing remarks
Mark Womer — Why he wants to serve on the board/closing remarks
Lois Truman — Why she wants to serve on the board/closing remarks
The election is on April 3.
Running for the board are:
Friends, I normally don’t get too involved in local politics (unless I am one of the candidates :-)), however, I am making an exception because I believe the Brentwood School District is at a crucial point. I believe the choices the District makes, and the strategies it pursues over the next several years will have enormous impacts on our community for the next 20-30 years.
I am extremely pleased to have Dr. Brian Lane as our superintendent. As a parent and a member of our City’s government, I believe we are very lucky to have his intelligence, skills and leadership ability. In the school board election this Tuesday, April 3rd, I believe we have the opportunity to elect two candidates that have particular skills that will support Dr. Lane and serve the District at this important juncture.
Let me first say that I believe all of the candidates for the School Board are well qualified and would serve our community well. I commend them for their willingness to serve. I know first hand how much energy and effort it takes to run for a public office! At the present time, however, I feel the District will benefit the most from the skills that Mark Womer and Jamie Allen will bring to the School Board.
As I said, I believe the decisions the School Board will be taking in the next several years will impact our community well into the future. I have worked with Mark Womer over the last few years and I feel his analytical skills and financial acumen would be extremely valuable to the Board as they determine how to best use our limited resources to improve our tremendous school system. Mark has the ability to analyze decisions objectively, while not losing sight of the “big picture” and the intangibles which make our District special.
I have known Jamie Allen since our sons became friends in pre-school. Jamie is extremely intelligent, but more importantly, I believe he has an uncommon ability to see other people’s points of view. He listens with an open mind and is able to synthesize many different interests. This sounds easy enough, but in my experience, the ability to practice this in the real world, is exceptionally rare. Simply put, Jamie is a consensus builder who can work with anyone in a respectful and productive manner.
At this important juncture, I believe the skills that Mark Womer and Jamie Allen will bring to the School Board are especially necessary. I will be voting for Mark and Jamie and I encourage you to do the same.
Chris
Unfortunately, I was unable to participate in this event as I was out of town for work at the time. I work remotely, and once a quarter I am required to be out of town for work for a week. My trip, flight and hotel were already planned before the invitation to this event was sent out.
I have been working in IT for the past 13 years, and I believe I have a great deal of knowledge I can contribute, especially with regards to the five year technology plan for the school. In fact, I think that my expertise in this area is why you should consider me for the school board.
I grew up a part of the public school system, and I strongly believe that my children should also be a part of that.
I think that the two elementary school approach has worked very well for Brentwood, and I would want to see that continue.
I strongly support the VICC program. I went to public schools in the city of St. Louis, and I believe that diversity is very important.
I am against arming teachers. I support students who raise their voice in protest.
As a member of the school board, I would work to ensure that Thrive is not allowed in school. Faith based anything has no place in a public school. I also do not believe that Creationism or “Intelligent Design” should be taught anywhere in public schools. There are places better suited to teaching that sort of thing.
Jamie Allen’s answer to the science-based / ‘intelligent design’ issue got cropped. I wonder if anyone can inform as to his answer.
My two cents, since I’m here: I can hardly believe this is even an issue to discuss. Science is to be taught in public shools because it is science. Religious-based theology should be taught in religious contexts. I went to PSR Monday nights as a kid, to church on Sundays, and there’s no reason to change that type of setup. It really, really should not be an issue that needs discussion.
It is being discussed because we do live in a metropolitan area where a thinly veiled Christian organization called Thrive teaches sex ed in some schools. Also, during last year’s public forum, Lois Truman asserted that both creationism and evolution belonged in schools, which all candidates except Lindsay Spencer echoed. The question had been, “What should be taught? Evolution or creationism?” When I heard the question, I thought to myself, “Why would you even ask that?Evolution, of course.” But then when I heard most of the candidates straddling the fence, I realized how important the question was. West of here in Parkway, there are parents who are members of a hate group who are trying to take the district back into the dark ages. We need board members who will not tolerate that nonsense for a minute and will say so in no uncertain terms.
Not quite sure how the evolution/ creationism issue and a faith-based organization teaching sex ed are related, but anyhow: Evolutionism should be taught in science class. Creationism (and anything else regarding world religions) should be taught in social studies/history. Religions have had a huge impact on world history, and their basic principles and beliefs should be presented in a fact-based manner. I’m certainly not saying that teachers should start passing out Bibles and Korans, but religion should not be given the cold shoulder.
In regards to Thrive, I don’t really see an issue with a faith-based organization providing free sex ed to students in public schools. From what I can tell based on their website and a few Post-Dispatch articles, they seem to be following an abstinence-oriented curriculum, which is mandated by state statute (RSMo 170.015). Although I don’t personally agree with all of their practices — not releasing course materials, only focusing on heterosexual relationships, etc — they do not appear to be shoving any religious doctrine down students’ throats.
Well said, Rudy.
I’d say maybe a couple words were cropped at most. If he or anyone else wants to explain more it can be done here or by email to editor at dougminer1@ gmail.com
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