Moniteau DME

CHERRY TWP — Bolstering education and strengthening community involvement were priorities echoed by all three newly appointed Moniteau school board directors during a group interview of six prospective candidates Monday evening.

Jennifer Rottman, Janeen Beatty and Christopher Stamm were appointed to vacant two-year seats during a meeting Monday, Dec. 18.

Rottman previously served four years on the board, while Beatty and Stamm are newcomers. All three are parents to students in the district.

During the interview, the board asked prospective candidates 10 questions about their involvement in the community, as well as their thoughts on the district’s budget, education, academic offerings, school programming and board member duties.

Rottman said the district’s top issue is its lack of a business manager, while Beatty said bridging the gap between students and the community is critical.

“Kids live in an electronic world,” Beatty said.

Stamm named funding as the district’s most pressing concern.

“We want to make improvements to this school ... to have funding to open more key things for our kids would be huge,” he said.

Reflecting on his time as a student, Stamm said “school paid for a lot of things that we fundraise for now.”

Amid budget concerns, all three newly appointed board members spoke about the importance of focusing on academics, applying for grants and turning to the community to help students excel.

“You have to work together with the community and pull what resources you have,” Stamm said.

Rottman suggested bringing in alumni to tell students how they have used their abilities to navigate different career paths after graduation.

Beatty said building partnerships with community members can help students become more involved.

“They then become resources for one another,” Beatty said. “Kids can rely on those prominent members of society to help support them in where they want to go, whether it be resume building, or giving them life skills.”

Stamm served on various football and baseball organizations in the district for a number of years, including the West Sunbury Baseball and Softball Association and Moniteau Youth Baseball and Softball, which he served for 23 years. Stamm said he is president of the Moniteau Quarterback Club.

Beatty said she is active in her church and has served as an officer of Dassa McKinney Elementary School’s parent teacher organization. She serves as vice president of the high school’s band boosters organization.

The three seats were left vacant after Joann Duke resigned, Kathy McBride was sworn to a four-year seat and Todd Minnear declined to accept a seat on the board.