Ladue School Board Candidate Q&A With Audrey Mack

On April 3, voters in the Ladue School District will elect two candidates to the board of education. Three people are running for office. Each of the candidates provided the district with brief autobiographic informtion and indicated why they are running for office and what they think are key issues facing the district in the next few years. 

This week, we're republishing these profiles here.

Today: Audrey Mack

I was born and raised in the Kansas City, Missouri, area and moved to St. Louis after graduation from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1989. My husband, Rich Mack, and I have two children, who attend Ladue Schools.

During my nine years of Board service, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to address the complex issues that face our district. Effective Board service requires a thorough understanding of how the district functions, how it is financed, how our educational system is structured and how legislative and regulatory issues affect us. My experience in dealing firsthand with the issues is a vital asset to our district.

I was raised to believe that we must take responsibility for ourselves and our community. We must be active participants, not casual observers. I have embraced my responsibility to the school district by actively participating in many of our districtwide committees and task forces. In depth focus on the various issues has given me a thorough understanding of the many facets that must be considered when making decisions for our district.

I look forward to the opportunity to continue using my time, energy and experience to further our district’s goals.

Why are you running for Ladue Board of Education?

As a three-term Board member, I know there is both challenge and reward in serving our community. The issues we address are often complex and interrelated. The task requires enough knowledge and experience to do the job well. The contribution I would make as a continuing Board member brings not only my own acquired knowledge and experience, but also my passion for this community, our schools and our students.

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

Providing an outstanding educational system requires that a multitude of issues be addressed, including:

• Passing Prop 1 to maintain vital educational programs and staff.
• We must strive to provide the best education possible for each individual child in physical spaces that are safe and conducive to learning.
• Exemplary teachers and staff must be recruited, hired and retained.
• We must treat our staff as the true professionals they are and that we expect them to be. 
• We must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.

Handling individual issues is only part of the challenge. An effective school district is an orchestrated effort designed to achieve all of these requirements simultaneously. This must include experienced administrators, teachers, and Board members, working together with parents and the community. Only then can we accomplish these goals and fulfill the ultimate responsibility of preparing our students well for their futures.

Read: Q&A With Nancy Goldstein

Tomorrow: Sheri Glantz