KNOWLAN SEEKS THIRD SCHOOL TERM; LADREITER FILES FOR ALDERMANIC SEAT

JACKSON -- A two-term incumbent and former president of the Jackson School Board, Jack H. Knowlan Jr., has filed for a third, three-year term on the board.

In addition, newcomer Rodney Ladreiter has filed for the Ward 4 seat now held by retiring alderman LeRoy Brown.

Ladreiter, 58, of 541 N. Hope St., said he's always been interested in Jackson. "We have dedicated people - both in the city administration and our city employees as long as I lived in Jackson.

"We have one of the finest parks you will find in a city of our size. I am interested in continuing that aspect of the good life we have in Jackson."

Ladreiter said he has no specific programs or goals. "I'm satisfied with our current board of aldermen, and would not had run for office if the vacancy in Ward 4 had not opened up," he said.

His only other try at political office was in 1970, when he ran unsuccessfully for county commissioner.

Knowlan, Jr., 41, said he decided to seek a third term on the board for several reasons.

"The most important reason is that I want to see this middle school building project through to its completion. We still have some important decisions to make regarding the middle school curriculum," he said.

"I also feel the school board has entered into the process of doing some long-range planning for the Jackson School District, and I want to be a part of, and provide input into that planning. We are continuing to experience a healthy, rapid growth in the district in terms of enrollment. That is presenting a number of challenges that we need to plan for."

Knowlan said during the next few years, the Jackson school board will be making a number of key decisions that will have a significant impact on the future of the school district. Among them is the proposed math and science addition to the high school to relieve overcrowded conditions.

Another is the rising enrollment at the elementary level. Said Knowlan, "When we opened Orchard Elementary School a few years ago, we had two empty classrooms. When school begins next fall, both of those classrooms will be filled, as will all other classrooms at Orchard. Our long-range planning is going to have to consider some options at Orchard, such as an addition, or creating a kindergarten-first grade attendance center that would be located directly behind Orchard."

Among other areas of concern for Knowlan are:

- Continue development of the gifted student program.

- Lower the increasing pupil-teacher ratio to reduce class size.

- Find ways to increase planning time for teachers to prepare for their daily classes.

- Provide more opportunities for teacher professional development, as mandated by Senate Bill 380.

- Provide a competitive pay scale to retain high caliber teachers in the district.

- Find ways to better serve those high school students who are not planning to go onto college after graduation.

Knowlan is a 1970 graduate of Jackson High School. He graduated in 1974 from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in economics. Knowlan received his law degree in 1977 from the School of Law at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Tex.

Knowlan is now chief administrative law judge with the Division of Worker's Compensation in Cape Girardeau. He is also a past president of the Jackson Area Optimist Soccer Association.

Knowlan and his wife, Bonnie, live at 2415 Bainbridge Road, with their children, Erica, Garrett, Spencer and Stuart, who attend Jackson schools.

Ladreiter is a life-long resident of Jackson. He was born in Pocahontas. He and his wife, Nancy, have four grown children.

Ladreiter is a 1953 graduate of Jackson High School.

From 1960 until 1982, Ladreiter was in business with his father, Vernon, who owned and operated Ladreiter's Mobil Service Station. In 1978, Rodney Ladreiter purchased the Western Auto franchise store in Jackson, and operated it until 1982.

He is a past president of the Jackson Jaycees, and a recipient of its Distinguished Service Award. Ladreiter is also a life-time Jaycee International Senator.

His other civic activities include membership on the citizen's committee formed to build the new swimming pool; and membership on the Jackson Rotary Club committee that built the Rotary Lake in the Jackson City Park.

Ladreiter is past president and current member of the Old McKendree Association, and a member of the New McKendree Methodist Church of Jackson, where he serves as a lay leader, and a member of the Men's Club.

Ladreiter also serves on the church's Vision 2000 building committee.

Other candidates who have filed for the Jackson Board of Aldermen include the incumbent aldermen in Ward 1, David Ludwig, Ward 2, David Reiminger, and Ward 3, Glenn Oldham.

The only other candidate to file for Jackson School Board so far is Ken Callis. Incumbent board member, Larry Koenig, has not indicated if he will seek another term.

Candidates for the board of aldermen may file from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the office of the Jackson city clerk.

Candidates for school board may file from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the office of the school superintendent, on Oklahoma Street.

The filing period for municipal and school board candidates will close on Feb. 1.