Oak Ridge School Board candidate profiles

David Hahs

Age: 40

Spouse: Jill

Children: Jessica, 9; Bryce, 6; Carson, 2

Occupation: Do It Best Corp.

Education: Southeast Missouri State University

Reason for running: I would like to continue seeing quality education for students.

Other experience: I have lived in the Oak Ridge School District my entire life.

Main challenges: Older school buildings, growth and development

Main assets: Being a small school, lower teacher to student ratio, A+ program

David Matthews (incumbent)

Age: 46

Spouse: Eildeana

Children: Christina, 25; David, 23; John, 20; Garrett, 14; Abigale, 10

Occupation: Wal-Mart Supercenter, Cape Girardeau

Education: Farmington High School

Reason for running: I want to see the district maintain its tradition of academic achievement and help it grow to meet the needs of the community.

Other experience: As a member of management with Wal-Mart for the past 14 years I have been involved with making business and personnel decisions on a regular basis.

Main challenges: We are a small school district, and the changes in student population have a greater effect on planning and staffing than it would in the larger districts.

Main assets: Strong community support, strong academic performance, including the A+ program.

Linda Schoen (incumbent)

Age: 54

Spouse: Vernon

Children: Renee Balch, 29; Charley Schoen, 27

Occupation: I work out of the home as a secretary/bookkeeper.

Education: Perryville High School

Memberships: Certified member of the Missouri State School Board Association, treasurer and delegate for Oak Ridge School Board, member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, Monday Madness Bowling League, East Perry Fair Association, Southeast Missouri Hospital Association. I have been involved in Little Egypt Lutheran Camps for 24 years, serving as Adventure Camp dean for 13 years.

Reason for running: I am interested in a quality education for the children in the district, wanting to do what is good for our children. I was active in PTO for 14 years as a member and officer for four years. I feel I am a good listener. I have two grandchildren who attend in the district, with two younger who will be attending, and would like them to also receive a quality education. Being on the board requires a lot of time and commitment. I feel at this time in my life I have the time needed to devote to Oak Ridge R-VI School.

Main challenges: The district is currently facing the deterioration of the old high school building. Final decisions will be made in the near future.

Main assets: The main assets of our district include the quality teachers, staff and administration. We strive for small class sizes. Oak Ridge is an A+ School with a very nice facility.

Thomas Schreiner (incumbent)

Age: 40

Children: Andrea (senior at Oak Ridge High School), Alison (seventh-grader at St. Paul Lutheran in Jackson)

Reason for running: Serving the community to make a positive impact on the education of our youth

Other experience: Attended ongoing Missouri School Board Association continuing education and training events for past three years, Grace Lutheran Church president from 1997 to present

Main challenges: No Child Left Behind initiative. Finding ways to improve student achievement to help our students compete in a global economy and to encourage them to become outstanding citizens in the communities in which they live.

Main assets: Excellent faculty who care about student performance. Ability to provide smaller class sizes, allowing more individual instruction.