Woodland School Board candidate profiles

Mike Sitze

Age: 43

Spouse: Leah

Children: Amber, 16

Occupation: Self-employed, Sitze Farms, Sitze Barber Shop, Piedmont, Mo.

Education: Graduate, Woodland High School

Memberships: First Baptist Church of Marble Hill, songleader, youth class teacher/leader, deacon; Wayne County Cattle Association; Farm Bureau; American Angus Association.

Reason for running: I am very concerned with our children's education and want to make sure they all get the most of what we can offer and that we provide the very best jump start on life for each of them, with a positive attitude on a local level.

Other experience: Through the church I have served and am presently the chairman for the finance committee in charge of budget.

Main challenges: At this time primarily insurance, flooding issues, children's safety in all cases and still being able to keep up with other strong districts in achievement.

Main assets: Smaller, local control and involvement, an area where you know everyone and we all work together in those areas.

Communication: I will make myself available 24/7 if elected and everyone will be treated equal with me and fairly. I want to know your concerns. I will be your voice on the board if elected.

Kenny Rhodes (incumbent)

Age: 36

Spouse: Mekesha Rhodes

Children: Natasha, 17; Lauren, 14; Brandon, 13.

Occupation: Owner/operator, Welker Pump Service

Education: Graduate, Woodland High School

Memberships: Woodland Community Booster Club, Marble Hill Optimist Club, Old Union United Methodist Church.

Reason for running: To help support the district in continued educational growth and improvement.

Other experience: No answer.

Main challenges: No answer.

Main assets: We have the A+ program allowing for more students to attend college. We were recognized for academic distinction.

Communication: I am active in the community and attend many after school events, making person-to-person communication readily available.

Cindi S. Morris

Age: 46

Spouse: Michael Morris

Children: Lindsay, 25; Chelsea, 18; Haley, 15

Occupation: UDS coordinator, Southeast Missouri Hospital

Education: Graduate, Woodland High School

Memberships: Secretary of Cottage of Grace General Baptist Church in Marble Hill; sponsor, Woodland Booster Club

Reason for running: I wish to offer my knowledge of business, along with the social aspect of child interactions to serve our school district in whatever way I can.

Other experience: My husband and I have owned and operated a business with several employees in the community for 20 years. My husband has served 12 years as a city alderman in Marble Hill. We are a civic-minded family and have a strong commitment to our community and school. I have one daughter who has graduated from Woodland and another graduating this year, also a freshman, so I have an idea of what parents expect from the Board. Having previously been employed for four years as a teacher's aid at Woodland, I have an idea of what teachers and employees expect from the board. I have attended many board meetings and served on a committee called CSIP as a community business person for four years. The CSIP committee is a group made up of students, teachers, administrators, parents and business people to coordinate a plan to correct deficits and problem areas identified in the MSIP review. I have a strong work ethic and received excellent evaluations while employed there.

Main challenges: In my opinion, the main challenge is to attract and retain qualified teaching personnel.

Main assets: Woodland is a small school with a lot of community involvement, great administration, board, teachers, parents and, most of all, a wonderful student body who deserve the best education possible.

Communication: I will have an open-door policy and am easily accessible and visible at school functions, also through e-mail or telephone.

Harley Eddleman Jr.

Age: 58

Spouse: Jeanie

Children: Ashley, 25

Occupation: Retired teacher from Woodland School District

Education: Bachelor of science in secondary education, physical education, elementary education, driver education and health, Southeast Missouri State University.

Memberships: President, Marble Hill Optimist Club; Woodland Booster Club; Cat Ranch Art Guild; Marble Hill United Methodist Church

Reason for running: Help maintain continued district strengthening in all areas. Give back to the school that became my home for many years after college.

Other experience: Taught at Woodland for 28 years and lived in the area for 35 years. Athletic director for six years at Woodland. Had many of the parents as students and some that may have grandkids in school. Just generally knowing the area inside and out.

Main challenges: Staying on top of all the needed improvements to maintain the excellent opportunities for students and faculty. Maintenance of existing buildings and adding to present campus as needed. Staying financially sound to accomplish these tasks.

Main assets: Strong administration and staff; strong community support.

Communication: Hopefully through the board only. Otherwise, I'd feel like I was stepping on the toes of many others that should be contacted first. I hope to be recognized by many district residents and contacted only as a friend and not a board member.

Megan J. Baker

Age: 34

Spouse: Darron Baker

Children: Erin, 15; Rachel, 9; Breyton, 6

Occupation: Bollinger County Soil and Water Conservation District

Education: Graduate, Woodland High School

Memberships: Woodland Community Booster Club, current president, member of the A+ Advisory Program.

Reason for running: To improve the communication between the school and the community and to assure all students a quality education.

Other experience: I have been actively involved with the Woodland Booster Club since inception. Within that organization I have been an officer for the past four years.

Main challenges: Woodland is a great district, but the communication between the school and the community could be improved. I feel that by giving the students better opportunities that would extend beyond the walls of the school.

The changes in the laws and policies that govern the students' academic and career path choices are constantly changing.

Main assets: The district has been accredited with academic distinction through the A+ program. This will be a great asset to the student to ensure a quality education beyond high school. The school also offers technical or trade classes at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center. By offering this to junior and seniors they can essentially enter their secondary education as a sophomore.

Communication: By working in the community I have more opportunity to listen to patrons voice their concerns for the district. Also by having three children of wide varying ages it gives me the chance to talk with students, staff and parents on a more personal level.

Unavailable

Information for Danny Van Gennip and Dale Long Sr. was unavailable.