Kelso C-7 School Board candidate profiles

Fred Higdon (incumbent)

Age: 54

Spouse: Tina

Children: Joy, 22; Jacob, 17

Occupation: Self-employed

Education: B.S. Southeast Missouri State University

Memberships: SEMO District Fair Association and Foundation, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation, Jackson Vocational Education Advisory Committee, former president Cape County Rotary

Reason for running: To assist the district in providing quality education to our children.

Other experience: 32 years in commercial banking.

Main challenges: Declining enrollment, which affects state aid, which affects total revenue. We are a small district. It’s really getting tough to be able to have the funding we need.

Main assets: Smaller class sizes. Most of our teachers are tenured, so we have a lot of continuity and a lot of experience. Discipline problems are almost nonexistent. We have received a state award for distinction in education for the past eight years.

Gary Reischman

Age: 46

Spouse: Debbie

Children: Drew, 8; Evan, 18

Occupation: Self-employed videographer

Education: B.S. in communications, Southeast Missouri State University

Memberships: St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus

Reason for running: I will try to help keep the district strong. Civic responsibility

Other experience: Six years previous experience on Kelso C-7 board, one year as president

Main challenges: Getting the most education out of every dollar

Main assets: Small class sizes, good teachers, excellent parental and communitywide involvement

Sherri Grojean (incumbent)

Age: 39

Spouse: Chris

Children: Tara, 14; Lindsey. 11

Occupation: Self-employed

Education: Oran High School, attended Southeast Missouri State University

Memberships: St. Lawrence Parish in New Hamburg

Reason for running: Kelso C-7 is a challenging, safe environment for our children that prepares them well for high school. We employ excellent teachers and have supportive parents in our district. I would like for our school to continue to offer the high quality education that students are now receiving.

Main challenges: Declining enrollment in recent years has been the main challenge.

Main assets: 2007 MAP test distinction in performance award eight years in a row, small teacher-student ratio, safe environment

Unavailable

Information for Dorothy Dirnberger was unavailable.