These are the positions as stated by the five candidates for Ladue School Board as posted on the Ladue School District website.

William Shirley

My name is William A. (“Bill”) Shirley. I am a 19-year resident of Olivette, a licensed attorney and a professional engineer. I am currently a sole practitioner but, prior to moving to Olivette, worked for a New Jersey law firm and as an engineer for Monsanto, UOP (the refinery design division of Honeywell), and FMC.

I have been a member of the Olivette Environmental Concerns Commission, have coached for the Olivette Parks & Recreation Department, have been the Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 663 at Old Bonhomme Elementary School, have been a troop committee member with Boy Scout Troop 493, and a Boy Scout Merit Badge counselor.

I was a former member of the Criminal Justice Act panels for the Federal District Courts for Eastern Missouri and for Southern Illinois, providing representation to indigent criminal defendants at the request of the court. I am married and have two sons who attended the Ladue School District.

Why are you running for Ladue Board of Education?

I am running for election so that if elected I might be able to provide different viewpoints to the Board of Education. As an attorney, I am accustomed to listening to, and communicating with, clients so as to justify the reasons for decisions. Furthermore, as an engineer and as an attorney, I often must clarify the details of the issues at hand.

As a member of the Board of Education, the clients and stakeholders would be the students, the administration, and the taxpayers.

What do you think are key issues facing the School Board in the next two or three years?

The key issues facing the Ladue Board of Education in the next two or three years are solving the problems created in the past years - fiscal management, failure to communicate, failure to consider details, and failure to adapt. Many stakeholders do not know the Board approved a Ladue Schools Facilities Master Plan in which the district desires to spend $106.99 million on various capital improvements, including new classrooms, stadium improvements, a new Spoede Elementary School, and even major upgrades to the West Campus (all of which should have been included in the prior bond issue).

In as much as the average elementary class size is 20.16:1, does Ladue need new classrooms given the sales of Logos school, Olivette Community Center, and West Campus? This plan shows the need to consider the input of stakeholders and to consider details, before making decisions, so as to not be fiscally imprudent.

Jeff Kopolow

Armed with an AB degree in history and life certification in social studies, I began my teaching career at West Ladue Junior High School in 1966. I completed my MA in 1969, adding additional courses and workshops over the next three decades. Remaining in the classroom for thirty-nine years, my focus centered on achievement, along with facilitating student involvement in extra-curricular activities related to academics and community service.

My wife, Harriet, and I have been residents of the Ladue School District since 1967. Both of our children are Horton Watkins alums. I am currently Vice President of the Board of Education, completing my first term. I look forward to continuing to serve the students of the Ladue School District.

Why are you running for Ladue Board of Education?

As a Board member for the past three years, I have been part of an effective team, working to move the district forward. Fiscal responsibility has increased, the new Early Childhood Center has opened, and we are poised to open the Fifth Grade Center. I feel it important to continue with the implementation of these, and to move forward to the other challenges of decreasing class size, guaranteeing the safety of all students and staff, and providing the best facilities possible for the enhancement of learning.

My experience, particularly as an educator, equips me to help in meeting these needs.

What do you think are key issues facing the School Board in the next two or three years?

With the opening of the Fifth Grade Center next year, we must begin to address reduction in class size, particularly in the primary grades.
The major changes in administrative leadership provide us with an opportunity to move forward in new directions, focusing always on our children as our most important stakeholders.

Many of our facilities are aging, thus placing one more demand on our limited resources.

We must maintain our fiscal diligence to maximize the use of these resources for the benefit of our students.

Kisha Lee

I am an achievement focused, self-motivated individual, with a wealth of progressive leadership experience. I am the parent of two inspiring children and my assets include a passion to improve the welfare of all children. My service to their needs has been provided in a myriad of capacities; which include as a Volunteer Advocate with Voices for Children in the St. Louis City Family Courts; Youth Education Instructor at my church; and the proud Troop Leader of Girl Scout Troop #977.

My various roles have led to an increased knowledge of the child welfare system and the various social service programs throughout the State of Missouri and within the Saint Louis region that serve the needs of children and families. That knowledge has further been increased through my current position and an increased awareness of the administration and inner-workings of the public school system.

I have been exposed to the administrative challenges that face local school districts, while also embracing the opportunity to bring together community stakeholders in a collaborative effort to improve the lives of students and families to achieve successful coalitions.

My educational experience has focused primarily on Public Policy and Administration which includes an emphasis in public education, social work and non-profit management and leadership. I have a strong desire to utilize both my educational and employment experiences in an arena that will result in positive outcomes for vulnerable populations, namely children. As a member of the Ladue Board of Education I would have just that opportunity.

Why are you running for Ladue Board of Education?

I am running for the Ladue Board of Education because I have a passion for improving the lives of young people and have been a child advocate for many years. I believe that increased emphasis on mental health services within the school setting will help to reduce the stigma that often surrounds the issue of mental health.

I want to be the voice of those students as well as for all students. By providing equity in education, all children will be able to exceed expectations and have the opportunity to receive an education that supports their social and emotional well-being.

What do you think are key issues facing the School Board in the next two or three years?

The key issues facing the Ladue Board of Education will center on equity and how to provide the level of services needed for all students to achieve success while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Ladue is not exempt from the budget constraints that face most districts in the region and the cost of education continues to rise. However, we cannot afford to be reactive but need to be proactive in all efforts.

Bullying is an area that demands our attention. Student safety is of foremost importance and with increased technology, district efforts will have to be targeted through training and professional development.

Dan Regelean

I am a long-time St. Louis resident having lived in St. Louis for nearly 25 years. I am married with two children attending Spoede Elementary School. My son, a third-grader, has taught me that a child with a disability need not be limited in their ability to succeed. My daughter is a second-grader.

I graduated from Maryville University with a B.S. in Psychology, Sociology, and Business Management in 1995, and later attended Washington University where I received an M.A. in Human Resources Management in 2002. I have 15 years of experience in Human Resources and Labor Relations.

Through my professional career, I have attained experience in critical HR functions such as global human resources management, interacting with state and federal agencies, professional development, recruiting, performance evaluations, labor relations, employment law, succession planning, strategic planning, corporate reorganizations, policy enforcement/compliance, training, corporate diversity initiatives, compensation management, investigating allegations of misconduct and discrimination.

I am committed to my community and have participated in several professional and charitable committees and organizations throughout my life. Over the last several years, I have played an integral role in a nationally recognized high school outreach program that demonstrated the best of what corporate America can do to build personal relationships with a diverse group of talented students and prepare them for life after high school.

I believe my unique skill set and life experiences have prepared me to be a servant leader within the Ladue School District.

Why are you running for Ladue Board of Education?

I want to help ensure the Ladue School District’s long-term success. I believe my professional background with over 15 years in human resources will be a positive addition to the skill diversity on the Board.

Many issues the Board faces require experience I have, for example, setting policy, guiding leadership on HR budgetary issues, analyzing headcount, succession planning, understanding compensation and merit plans, addressing disciplinary matters, diversity concerns, etc.

With elementary school children, I have a long-term vested interest in the success of the school district and I have proven professional experience in addressing many of the demands placed upon the Board.

What do you think are key issues facing the School Board in the next two or three years?

The most important job for the Board is to set the new superintendent up for success. The success of the superintendent will help drive the success of the district.

There are so many other issues to consider: fiscal responsibility; the success of the Fifth Grade Center; social media and the safety of our children; student to teacher ratios; the dip in the national school ranking; aging facilities and their compatibility with new technologies; funding the teacher pay-for-performance program; start times of the schools; bus schedules; meeting the needs of the diversity within the district; and so much more.

The Board needs to be adaptable to meet needs as they arise. This means we need a Board that has diverse knowledge and experience. The Board must listen to the community and make decisions that are in the best interest of the students, the faculty, and the community.

Sam Goodman

I was born and raised in St. Louis. I graduated from University City High School in 1969. My family is number one in my life. I have a fantastic son who is a sophomore at Ladue Horton Watkins High School, a beautiful wife, and the most wonderful mom who is 86 years young. I am currently a realtor with Coldwell Banker and I have been on the Board of Directors for my condominium association for 20 years, the last 12 as president.

I know what difficult decisions that must be made with other peoples’ hard earned money. Fiscal responsibility is important to me and making tough, hard decisions is what I do best. I want the best for every student in this district, and making changes that not everyone likes must be done.

I would hope the voters and taxpayers in this district will have faith and trust in me to elect me to the Ladue Schools Board of Education this April.

Why are you running for Ladue Board of Education?

I am running for the Board for two main reasons. The first is to provide the best education for all students by providing a learning environment geared to success with all the best resources available. The second is fiscal responsibility. We cannot make the same financial mistakes like Boards of the past.

The Ladue School District is one of the top school districts in the country and tough monetary decisions must be made to keep that excellence.

What do you think are key issues facing the School Board in the next two or three years?

The biggest issue the Ladue School District has besides filling some key administrative positions is finances. The taxpayers voted 53-47% for a tax increase. We must be able to budget long-term to have the funds available for the future. The taxpayers should not be asked for another tax increase for a long time. Property values are starting to increase, so more tax dollars will be coming in.

Currently, 80% of the district’s budget is spent on salaries and benefits and the Board needs to make a bold move to address this issue for future budgets. We have great employees, but everyone must have the same goals to keep our employee pay competitive without putting additional financial burdens on the taxpayer.

We must work together to make our school district financially stable for future budgets. Thank you and hope for your vote this April.