VOTERS TO CHOOSE NEW BOARD MEMBERS IN MEADOW HEIGHTS DISTRICT

PATTON -- Six people are vying for three spots on the Meadow Heights school board; each with solutions the district's problems.

The candidates are incumbents Sandy Raines and Dennis Mouser and challengers June Long, Scott Mayfield, Mike Reagan and Mike Welker.

The Meadow Heights district has been plagued with problems since last summer. Authorities found discrepancies in school attendance records which later cost the district more than $30,000 and led to the resignation of Superintendent Tom Waller resigned.

Despite the problems, all the candidates agree the board needs unity -- a quality they hope to bring if elected.

Raines was elected three years ago, campaigning on the need for basic education and training for a working world. She is a 1970 graduate of Meadow Heights and works as a supervisor at Cap America in Fredericktown.

Mouser, also an incumbent, wants a second term in office. He is the son-in-law of board president Roy Allen. However, he says being related doesn't always mean agreement. He would like the board to operate in the best interest of all students. Mouser is self-employed.

Unlike the Raines or Mouser, Long doesn't have prior board experience. She does attend meetings when her schedule allows. Long supports a public session comment in discipline matters at the school. She is a Meadow Heights graduate and works at Cap America.

Mayfield also is a newcomer to public office. He is running for office to help create harmony on the school board. He supports public input at board meetings. He has not attended board meetings but wants to be involved now.

He is a Bollinger County native and lives in Patton. He works as a mechanic at Jackson Implement.

Reagan admits he doesn't understand all the issues facing the Meadow Heights board but he wants to learn. He also supports a public comment session.

Welker hopes his second race for school board will be successful. He supports public input at meetings and thinks the board should communicate better. He is a full-time farmer in the Patton area.

Voters in the Patton district also will decide the fate of a $750,000 bond issue for building renovations.