Candidate questionnaire: Beth McDonough-Cox

NAME: Beth McDonough Cox

AGE: 40

PLACE OF BIRTH: St. Louis, MO

SPOUSE, CHILDREN'S NAMES:

Matthew Cox, married 19 years

Hunter Cox, 18

Braden Cox, 13

OCCUPATION:

State Regulatory Compliance Director

EMPLOYER: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

BUSINESSES OWNED, ALL OR PART: Matthew Cox Farms

PREVIOUS OFFICES HELD OR SOUGHT:

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, 5 years

Scott City Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP)Committee Member, 2 years

Scott City Dress Code Policy Committee, Co-Chair

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING SCOTT CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

I see this election as an opportunity to be a part of a school district that is striving to pave the way as a model of excellence and leadership in the Southeast Missouri area. As a community, we are able to provide a small-school setting, while accessing the larger resources around the area for outreach and partnership. The new mission statement for the school district is, "Growing, Developing, and Graduating Leaders by Inspiring One Student at a Time." We must show our commitment to this strategy by continuing to encourage our innovative educators and finding creative ways to introduce opportunities into our curriculum.

WHAT IN YOUR BACKGROUND OR EDUCATION MAKES YOU QUALIFIED FOR THIS OFFICE?

I am a graduate of Scott City High School and I have a degree in finance from Southeast Missouri State University. My family moved back here right before my oldest son started Kindergarten so that our children could be raised in the Scott City school system. Now my youngest son is in 7th grade, while my oldest is graduating in May. I am proud of the quality of the education available at Scott City and have been very involved in both the community and school activities. From a professional standpoint, I have 15 years experience managing multi-year projects in order to achieve compliance with both state and federal legislation. I hope to bring that knowledge and experience to the Scott City School Board.