TWO SEEK SCHOOL BOARD IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- Two candidates have filed for the two seats on the Jackson Board of Education that expire in April.

Marvin Adams and Mark Martin filed Tuesday for the two three-year terms on the board. The filing period opened Tuesday, and will close at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Adams, 51, of 1302 Greenway, is an agent with State Farm Insurance Co. He and his wife, Sally, have lived in Jackson eight years. They were former residents of the city while teaching in the Jackson school system.

Adams graduated from Southeast Oklahoma State University at Durant in 1963 with a degree in health and physical education. He did part of his graduate work at Oklahoma State University, and received his master's in education administration from McNeese State University at Lake Charles, La.

He is currently district governor of Rotary International, and a member of the Jackson Park Board.

They have two children, Julie, 22, of St. Louis, and Marvin Jr., 17, a junior at Jackson High School. The family attends the New McKendree Methodist Church.

Adams said his background in education and business will help him make the important educational and financial decisions that will face the school board in the coming years.

"I've always had an interest in education because my wife and I are former educators, and I have an extensive background in education," Adams said. "Another reason I decided to run is that if elected, it will be an opportunity for me to give something back to a community that has been good to me and my family."

Martin, 38, of 1111 Shady Lane, is the branch claims manager for Shelter Insurance Company's Cape Girardeau branch office. He has lived in Jackson 1 years. Prior to moving to Jackson, Martin lived in Lexington, Ky., and Kansas City Mo.

Martin grew up in Carroll, Iowa, which he describes as a community about the size of Jackson.

Martin graduated in 1975 from Loras College, in Dubuque, with a degree in sociology. In 1981, Martin received his bachelor degree in business administration from the University of Iowa and Iowa City.

Martin and his wife, Catherine, have three children, Ben, 11, Maggie, 8, and Nick, 6. They attend Jackson schools.

Martin is a committee member of Cub Scout Pack 212 in Jackson. He is a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson.

Martin said with three children in the school system, he has a keen interest in education. As a relative newcomer to the community, Martin said he can offer a different insight to the problems and challenges of education because of his experience in both metropolitan and outstate school districts.

While in Kansas City, Martin was involved in fundraising events for school organizations, such as band.

"I have seen good school districts and bad school districts," he said. "With the uncertain financial future ahead for the school district, they are going to need some creativity in getting the same job done for less money. I may be able to provide some good ideas along that line."

The two expiring terms are now held by senior board member, John Lorberg, and Jeanette Bollinger, who was elected last year to fill out the unexpired, one-year term of former board member, Nancy Schaefer.

At the December board meeting, Lorberg announced he will step down in April after serving 13 years on the board. Bollinger said she plans to run for a full, three-year term, but has not yet filed.