Jackson School Board incumbent faces three challengers

Four candidates are competing for two posts on the Jackson School Board in the April 7 election.

Incumbent Paul Stoner, completing his third year on the board, is facing challenges from Kelly Waller, Sheila King and Brad Noel for a three-year term. Current board member Brent Wills did not file for re-election.

Stoner, an operations manager for FedEx Express, said his work schedule didn't always allow him to attend school events with his two children, so he wanted to find another way to get involved.

As a board member, Stoner said he always considers four factors before making a decision: student safety, learning, faculty support and fiscal responsibility.

Some of the board's notable accomplishments during his term, Stoner said, include how its members have managed the district's finances during uncertain economic times and its selection of a new superintendent who will succeed Ron Anderson this summer. He said building a new elementary school has gone well, and the board will ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible this fall.

Brad Noel

"I think there's a lot of great things going on," Stoner said. "I just want to participate more and be able to continue to work for the district and provide for the kids."

Noel, who previously has run for the school board, said it's time for "new eyes, some new ideas and more representation" on the board.

He has worked for the city of Jackson for 16 years and is a water utility foreman.

One of the biggest opportunities the Jackson School District has now, Noel said, is reducing class sizes with the opening of a new elementary building.

"That's something I want to work really hard to do," he said. "Our teachers need to have as small a class size as possible to give students the most focused education that they can."

Kelly Waller

Noel said other priorities include the safety of the district and ensuring personnel feel like they matter, "instead of just being a name on a check at the end of the month."

Waller, owner of Kelly Waller Insurance Agency, said he has been working with the Jackson R-2 Foundation for the past 12 years.

"My passion is the school, and this is another way to stay involved," he said.

Waller said he doesn't have an agenda and doesn't want to "reinvent the wheel or change things that are working" if he is elected.

"With over 5,000 students in the district, board decisions must be made with the entire district in mind, rather than personal agendas," he said. "I will seek input and listen to the concerns and suggestions of educators and parents alike to make the most informed decisions possible."

Sheila King

King, a real estate agent and owner of Dalton Florist and United Land Title, said she has been involved with the school district most of her life -- first as a student and graduate, then as a parent.

King said some of the skills she would bring to the board include her experience as a business owner with managing schedules, employees and budgets.

"I have lived in Jackson all my life and love being a part of such a caring and supportive community," she said, adding she knows being a school board member can be challenging. "But I'm always up for a challenge."

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639