Four candidates talk at Scott City school board candidate forum

Two incumbents and two newcomers made a case for their candidacy Monday evening at a forum for Scott City school board candidates.

About 30 community members attended the meeting, which lasted 20 minutes in the school cafeteria.

Gary Haynes, who grew up in Colorado, said he will bring a different perspective to the school board.

"Being from outside the area, I can come in without an agenda," said Haynes, who has lived in the district for 10 years.

Haynes owns his own compound supplying business based in Scott City and has three children who attend school in the district. He said his business background will provide another point of view to board decision. He also said it is important to present opposing viewpoints when formulating policies for the district.

"A team is not just going along with what everybody says," he said.

Haynes and Karen Pobst will take on two incumbents in the April 7 election.

Pobst, who works at Saint Francis Medical Center, has three children in the district. She said she wants to make building improvements and help students who do not get treated fairly.

"I would like to try and make a difference in this school system," she said.

Keith Simpson owns a bridge and grading company and has two daughters who attend school in the district. He has been on the school board for three years and said he wants to continue his work.

"Didn't have an agenda. Didn't have an ax to grind," he said. "That hasn't changed."

He said the board needs to work together, and that teamwork needs to filter down through the school.

"Our focus needs to be on the kids and not all the other nit picky things that go on in this school," he said.

Gary Miller, a retired railroad worker, said he wants to focus on academics.

"That's the No. 1 dog, nothing else," said Miller, who served on the board for three years.

Two of his four children graduated from the district. He said he would like to continue to help improve MAP scores and hire the best teachers.

"I'm retired," he said. "I've got the time and the ambition."

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

3000 Main St. Scott City, MO