Four candidates are competing for three seats on the California R-1 School District Board of Education. The top three vote-getters on the April 4 ballot will be elected to three-year terms.
MICHAEL IREY
Age: 36
Years with address in the California School District: I grew up in Latham, and have lived in the California School District my entire life.
High School graduated from: Tipton High School
Occupation and title/position: Police Officer with the Jefferson City Police Department
Family: Engaged to be married to LeslieAnn Lueckenhoff.They have one teen-aged son, Trenten
Leadership experience: I served as an active duty U.S. Marine and soldier in the Missouri Army National Guard for approximately 12 years, before entering the police academy. I have worked as a police officer in Columbia and Jefferson City for nine years. During my time in the military, I was promoted to a non-commissioned officer position and had countless Marines and soldiers under my supervision. As a police officer, I hold the title of "Field Training Officer" and assist newly-hired officers learn the policies and procedures of being a police officer.
Volunteer experience: My volunteer experience consists of community action involvement with my church and international mission trips. My volunteer experience also includes donating time to the local youth sports programs and some area traveling sports teams.
Q. Why are you running for school board?
A. I feel like I have a solid career and I have had several life experiences not typical for most. My decision to run for school board was easy because, although I have had a lot of non-traditional life experiences, I desire more purpose. Being elected as a member of the school board focuses my community involvement directly into the lives of our future.
Q. Why is education important to you?
A. Education is a gateway of opportunity. Education helps us answer life's biggest questions including how to live, work, and even love. A successful education can ensure the "American Dream" and turn dreams into reality.
Q. What skills or knowledge you possess that could benefit the California School District?
A. I am visible and an active member of our community; I try to model good behavior, focus on the objectives at hand, and lead by example. I have the ability to balance stressful situations and manage change; this is important for all types of learning styles. Safety and security are also important topics in schools today. I believe I have the knowledge, training and experience to ensure the safety of our children in school.
Q. What issues facing the school district are of greatest importance to you?
A. Next to providing the best education and opportunity for our children to become productive members of society, the safety and security of our schools are very important to me. The fact is that school shootings, bullying that can lead to suicide, and drug activity in U.S. schools are on the rise. It is important to me that we ensure the safety and security of our children, so they can obtain the education they deserve.
Q. What do you believe the role of the school board should be?
A. The role of the school board should be the effective adoption of superintendent and staff policy that gives them purpose and direction. The districts budget, contracts, and the hiring of an outstanding staff are important roles as well.
Q. What are the school district's strengths and weaknesses, in your opinion?
A. The judicial responsibility of our school district is not the most impartial and should be addressed.
Q. What else should voters know about you before they go to the polls?
A. I am very open and willing to work with everyone. I believe in our schools, but am fully aware of the constantly changing system. Learning and studying these changes and interpreting them to you will be my focus. I guarantee the expectations you have as parents in regard to our children's education will be exceeded and demonstrated in my commitment to our school district.
PHILIP BURGER
Age: 53
Years with address in the California School District: all my life
High School graduated from: California R-1
Occupation and title/position: Burgers' Smokehouse Vice President
Family: wife, Susan, and sons Aaron, Adam and Allan
Leadership experience: Former president California Lions Club, former Cubmaster, Pack 120 California, former president Consistory at California United Church of Christ, former District Chairman Boy Scouts, Boy Scouts of America Council Executive Board
Volunteer experience: Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, California United Church of Christ, California Lions Club
Q. Why are you running for school board?
A. I am just finishing my first term. There's a pretty long learning curve as a new board member. I think the experience of my first term is a benefit to the school. I also enjoy being a part of the school as an adult and being able to give something back.
Q. Why is education important to you?
A. Our students need to be prepared for their next step in life, whether that's the workforce, college, military, or tech school. A quality education will make them better citizens, parents, and future leaders in our community.
Q. What skills or knowledge you possess that could benefit the California School District?
A. I think the experience I have being a part of California's business community benefits the district. The school is one of our largest employers. With that comes insurance, salary and benefits, and building maintenance. The school is much more than just classrooms.
Q. What issues facing the school district are of greatest importance to you?
A. I think the district is in excellent overall condition. The voters have been generous approving the needed bonds and extensions for continual improvements. The kindergarten building on the north end of the Elementary campus is probably the next area we need to improve or replace.
Q. What do you believe the role of the school board should be?
A. I believe the board is elected to oversee the tax dollars paid by the citizens. In addition, we need to look towards the future and make sure we have the proper facilities and staff to handle what is coming our way.
Q. What are the school district's strengths and weaknesses, in your opinion?
A. The district's strengths come from the students. They are the foundation of district and the reason for our schools. We are blessed to also have great family support. In addition, the teachers and staff are excellent. Look at how many spend so many years with us - many until retirement.
Q. What else should voters know about you before they go to the polls?
A. Being on the board for the last three years has allowed me to see what a great school system we have. The board is only one piece. The real heroes are the students, teachers, coaches, cooks, custodians and administrators.
JOE KIRBY
Age: 48
Years with address in the California School District: 19
High School graduated from: Jefferson City High School
Occupation and title/position: Enterprise Information Architect with the Missouri Department of Conservation
Family: Wife, Gwen, and children, Elizabeth, 22, Sam, 18, and Sarah, 12
Leadership experience: I am currently leading several projects and initiatives at work with MDC. In the past I have supervised application developers providing quality web apps for employees and the public. I am also the president-elect for the Organization of Fish and Wildlife Information Managers, a national conservation organization. I have been race director for many road runs in the Jeff City/California area. I was team captain for cross country and track in both high school and college.
Volunteer experience: My recent volunteer experience has revolved around our school. Be it helping run our high school track meets, grading math competition tests, helping get our bond issues passed, assisting in the building of our baseball/softball complex, or any other need our school has. I find great enjoyment in helping provide a foundation for our students to succeed. I have also spend considerable time working with special-needs kids and adults in various programs and camps in Central Missouri.
Q. Why are you running for school board?
A. The California School District has given and continues to give so much to my family. I have a daughter that graduated from CHS and is currently achieving both academically and athletically in college. I also have a senior and a sixth grader who are involved in many aspects of school life. I have enjoyed my time on the school board and I hope my experiences can help continue the excellent tradition of the California Schools.
Q. Why is education important to you?
A. The better your education, the more likely a student will be successful post high school. Whether our students go to college, trade school, military, or enter the work force, it is important for a community to provide the best possible foundation for success. The students in our district are our future. It is vital that we provide the best opportunities possible. A quality education will go a long way toward insuring future success.
Q. What skills or knowledge do you possess that could benefit the California School District?
A. During my 19 years with the Missouri Department of Conservation, I have gained experience in managing budgets and coordinating the priorities of my work, as well as the work of my team. I have worked with a variety of constituents, contractors, and co-workers to ensure that our organization best meets the needs of Missouri residents. This experience will help me manage the diversity of work the school board is required to handle. In my own high school and college career, I was involved in athletics, music, and work with special needs individuals, while continually maintaining high academic standards. This helps give me insights into the needs of all aspects of student life. I have also had the privilege to work directly with California students and coaches in our track and cross country programs, which has given me insight into how our students have to manage academics and demanding athletic schedules.
Q. What issues facing the school district are of greatest importance to you?
A. I believe it is most important for us to prepare students for the rest of their lives. Graduation from high school is not a finish line, it is the starting line. Hopefully our students will have 50 to 70 years after high school. The foundation our school lays will set them on the path for future success. Providing quality curriculum and finding and retaining excellent educators is key to this success.
Q. What do you believe the role of the school board should be?
A. The school board provides oversight and direction for our superintendent. Our goal is to insure our students get the best education possible.
Q. What are the school district's strengths and weaknesses, in your opinion?
A. We are fortunate to have a school district that is run by a fantastic group of educators and administrators. Our education team constantly strives to find the best way to make sure all of our students are set for success. Systems like our one-to-one technology initiative, data rooms which allow teachers to closely track all students, and continuous teacher evaluations give our teachers excellent feedback to continually improve on teaching techniques.
Q. What else should voters know about you before they go to the polls?
A. I am honored that the community has entrusted me to serve on the school board. If elected, I will continue to strive to insure that all of our students needs are being met.
CRAIG ASH
Age: 44
Years with address in the California School District: 44
High School graduated from: Moniteau County R-1
Occupation and title/position: Mechanical Contracting/Project Manager
Family: wife, Shelly, and sons Brayden (CHS Senior) and Carson (CHS Freshman)
Leadership experience: I have served three terms as the Board of Education vice president and three terms as the Board of Education president for the Moniteau County R-1 School District. I am also a deacon at First Baptist Church in California. I manage multiple small and large scale construction projects with a range of 20-45 employees under my supervision.
Volunteer experience: In addition to volunteering time for improvement projects at the school district, my family volunteers at the nutrition center to serve Thanksgiving meals. We have done this as a family the last four years and it is a valuable and rewarding experience. I have also volunteer coached baseball, basketball and soccer at recreation to competitive travel levels for the past 12 years.
Q. Why are you running for school board?
A. I enjoy the opportunity to be involved in the education of the students of our school district.
Q. Why is education important to you?
A. Education opens doors throughout your entire life. A solid educational foundation will serve our students in whatever they endeavor to accomplish.
Q. What skills or knowledge you possess that could benefit the California School District?
A. Over the past twelve years our school system has faced many challenges. Most of these challenges revolve around funding from state and federal government. We have worked very hard as a school board and administrative team to ensure our school district is fiscally sound. I feel that my time on the board of education, as well a mechanical/management background, provides me knowledge to be a valuable resource to the school district.
Q. What issues facing the school district are of greatest importance to you?
A. The most important issue is always striving to provide the best education possible for our students while providing a solid and welcoming work environment for the employees of our district.
Q. What do you believe the role of the school board should be?
A. As a member of the board of education, just a few of our roles are to ensure taxpayer trust, have responsibility for a multi-million dollar budget, ensure a quality education to the students, and provide policy through interaction with the superintendent of the school.
Q. What are the school district's strengths and weaknesses, in your opinion?
A. Aside from the strengths of our student body and employees of the district, we are blessed to have such a supportive community. It continually amazes me the way our community supports, encourages, and innovates (for) our students. This is certainly district strength. Additionally, as a district, we have embraced technology and data to better reach all students in the educational process. A couple weaknesses that our district faces, as with most districts, is budget and financial restraints, as well as technology. We have made great advances in recent years in technology as we move toward a one-to-one school. Our district has been creative in seeking alternate funding sources such as grants to help with technology advances.
Q. What else should voters know about you before they go to the polls?
A. I enjoy serving the students and members of the school district. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue this service for another term to carry on the great strides we have made as a school district.