CANDIDATE FILES FOR SCHOOL BOARD IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- The first candidate has filed for a one-year, unexpired term on the Jackson Board of Education.

Ronald L. Obermann filed Jan. 16 for the seat held by former board member and treasurer Nancy Schafer, who resigned this month to accept a pastorate at a South St. Louis church.

Obermann, 42, is a mechanical contractor. He has owned and operated Obermann & Sons Plumbing, Heating, and Electric for 14 years.

Obermann said he decided to seek the one-year term because of his involvement the past two years on a school building committee.

"I served as a member of the New Buildings Committee for the school district," Obermann said during an interview Wednesday. "That peaked my interest in the needs of the school system, and my love and concern for the students and the community."

Obermann served in the Army and is a member of Jackson American Legion Post 158.

He has been actively involved with a number of youth activities, including flag football, Little League, and Optimist girls basketball and softball. Obermann is a committee member of Boy Scout Troop 11 in Jackson, and was involved in the formation of the first Tiger Cubs in Jackson.

Obermann is a native of Jackson, and graduated from Jackson High School in 1967. He attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Obermann, his wife, Jan, and two children, Nicole, 18, and Ron Jr., 14, live at 849 Connie Drive. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Jackson.

Three candidates have filed for the two, three-year terms that will expire in April. They include the two incumbents, Jack Knowlan Jr. and Larry Koenig, and Alan Crites.

Candidates may file at the school board office until 5 p.m. Jan. 29.

Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Missouri at least one year prior to the April election, 24 years old, and a resident taxpayer of the Jackson school district.