There are three candidates competing April 2 for two seats on the Dexter R-XI Board of Education.
Incumbents Nancy Mayer and Herman Morse are being challenged by Ron Glaus II.
The two candidates who receive the most votes will serve three-year terms.
Information on candidates is listed in ballot order.
Both Glaus and Morse say they support the district’s efforts to pass a bond measure April 2 that would pay for districtwide improvements.
Attempts to contact Mayer for this article were unsuccessful.
Glaus would like to continue a family tradition as a member of the school board for the district his children attend.
His own mother was a longtime school board member when he was child in the Kelso district, he explained.
“I felt like she represented me and my sister and other kids so I want to do the same for my kids,” he said. “I want the best for my kids and all the kids that go to school. I want to give my perspective on that and what they need.”
Glaus has three children, Madison, who is in eighth grade, Ethan, who is in sixth grade and Callen, who will start kindergarten next year.
“I’m passionate about my kids, what they’re learning and trying to make the future better for them,” he said. “(Kids) are our future. In order for us to survive, we need them to lead us.”
Glaus believes continuing to keep children engaged with technology will be important as the district moves forward.
While the district is already doing a lot of one-to-one with devices in the classroom, he said, “Technology is such a big thing for these kids now. I believe we need more on the technology side for these kids.”
As a former educator and five-term school board member, Morse feels he brings a great deal of experience to this office.
“I can identify with people who work at the school. I did this for 27 years,” said Morse. “I’m approachable. I try to take a reasoned approach to what I do.”
Morse has previously worked as principal, teacher, counselor and in other positions in education. His wife is also a retired educator and his son is a high school teacher.
Challenges facing the district include state regulation and making sure students are achieving, Morse explained.
“That’s something being scrutinized a lot more at the state level,” he said. “I just want to continue the tradition of good schools that we have and make sure we’re preparing kids to go to college or enter the workforce.”
Morse hopes that as a school board member he is helping provide continuity as important decisions are made.
He points to the bond proposal, and says schools, like a house, have to be updated as decades pass.
“I think the school system ought to be as attractive and conducive to learning as it can be,” he said, adding repairs only become more expensive the longer they are delayed.
Ron Glaus II
Age: 42
Family: Wife, Kara, three children
Occupation: Process engineer with Alan Wire
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mining engineering
Current Affiliations: Member of the Stoddard County Fair Board; co-chair of the Dexter Greenheads Ducks Unlimited; and member Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dexter
Herman Morse
Age: 69
Family: Wife, Sharon, two children
Occupation: State representative, District 151
Education: Master’s degrees in English and guidance
Current Affiliations: Vice chair of the Missouri House of Representatives special committee on student accountability; preacher at the Church of Christ in Essex; member of the Stoddard County and state retired teachers associations
Terms on the board: Five.
Nancy Mayer
Editor’s Note: Attempts to contact Mayer for this article were unsuccessful.
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