Two incumbents file for Jackson School Board election

One Jackson School Board member wants to see district building projects through to the finish, while another wants to continue momentum from his first term.

The two incumbents up for re-election in the Jackson School District, Dan Stover and Gerald Adams, are the only candidates who have entered the race since filings opened Dec. 15. The last time the district had an uncontested race was in 2006. Filing for school board elections will continue until Jan. 19 during board office business hours.

Adams has been serving on the board for 12 years. During his tenure, he said, he put many hours of planning into the construction projects at the high school.

"Everything I've heard from phase one, they got exactly what they needed," he said.

The first phase included a gym, cafeteria and art and music facilities. During the fall, the second phase of construction began at the high school, a building to house 25 classrooms, a media library and offices.

"It took several years to get all the planning done and all the work," Adams said. "I'd like to see the end of that project."

Stover, who is finishing his first term, came onto the school board after construction started. He said he would like to build on what he learned throughout the past three years on the board.

"I'll go into phase two with a lot more building experience," he said.

With other aspects of school board responsibilities, he said he will be more experienced.

"Just the ins and outs of the business at hand, it takes awhile to figure it out," he said.

One of the issues he advocated during his first term was hiring young teachers. Unless there are extreme circumstances, he said, younger teachers should be hired as opposed to retired teachers.

"We have to have young people coming into the schools," he said. "If you don't, eventually you're going to suffer."

Stover, a longtime Jackson resident, taught sixth grade in the district for 27 years before retiring.

Adams also wants to put his school board experience to work on the state level. He is seeking the Republican nomination in the 157th Missouri House District to replace Rep. Scott Lipke, who can't run for re-election because of term limits.

Adams also ran for the Republican nomination in 2002 when he lost the four-way primary to Lipke. He was on the school board at the time, but both elections did not fall in the same year.

If elected, he said, he intends to balance the responsibilities of both offices. When the legislature is in session, the school board could meet Thursday nights or he could join meeting through conference calls. The board meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Adams has been a printer for 13 years at Nordenia, where he works 12-hour swing shifts. He has also been involved in other civic organizations like the Optimists Club and American Legion baseball. He said he is used to balancing his schedule with school events.

"I don't think it'll be hard to do because I've been a multitasker for years now," he said.

Candidates can file for the April 6 election at the Jackson board of education office at 614 E. Adams St.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

614 E. Adams St. Jackson, MO