Dexter, Missouri - Rick Williams is a Dexter School Board Candidate.  The Dexter CTA made available at Monday evening's School Board Candidate Forum a little background information on each candidate to share with the public.

Family Members: Kim, Cale, and Carson Williams, Sarah, Josh, Eli, and Delaney Hunt.

Personal Education History: Graduate of Dexter High School, Southeast Missouri State University, University of Missouri, Columbia School of Law.

Occupation: Chief Executive Officer of Williams Moving Company.

Community Service Activities/Affiliations:  27 years on the Dexter R-XI Board of Education; Board President in 1993, 1994, 2003, 2004, 2010; Board Vice President 2000, 2001, 2002, 2014; past president of Lions Club; First Baptist Church Board of Directors and various committees; Board of Directors for Missouri Movers Association and the Missouri Movers Risk Management Trust; Chamber of Commerce; Missouri Bar Association; Mizzou Alumni Association; Board of Directors and President of the SEMO Football Officials Association.

Why do you want to serve as a school board member?  "I would like to continue to offer the experience and knowledge gained int he business and education setting to further advance the school system that is looked upon in the areas as being of the highest quality."

What is your philosophy of education?  "I believe that the purpose of education is not to train students to regurgitate facts, but to train them to think and how to understand.  The goal of education should be to create intelligence and character."

School Board Election is Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Dexter.

Dexter, Missouri - Jim Reiker is a Dexter School Board Candidate.  The Dexter CTA made available at Monday evening's School Board Candidate Forum a little background information on each candidate to share with the public.

Family Members:  Tania (wife), Thomas, Sam, and Jonah (sons), Katie Reiker and Abby Coppenbarger (daughters), granddaughter Libby Grace.

Personal Education History: Graduate of Cape Central High School in 1977, Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Class of 1981.

Occupation: Senior Vice President of Finance

Community Service Activities/Affiliations: Radio Broadcaster for Lady Bearcat Basketball, First Baptist Church - Deacon, assistant treasurer, and Media Team, Bearcat Booster Club member.

Why do you want to serve as a school board member?  "To be a part of ensuring quality education for all children in the Dexter R-XI district.  Additionally, I want to ensure that all faculty and staff are motivated and respected."

What is your philosophy of education?  "The role of a school is to educate each child in such a way that they reach their maximum potential."

School Board Election is Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Dexter.

Dexter, Missouri - Ronald David Glaus, II is a Dexter School Board Candidate.  The Dexter CTA made available at Monday evening's School Board Candidate Forum a little background information on each candidate to share with the public.

Family Members: Kara "Morrow" Glaus (wife), Madison (4th grade), Ethan (2nd grade), and Kallen (1 year).

Personal Education History: Scott City High School, Class of 1995, University of Missouri - Rolla with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering in 2002.

Occupation: Engineer at Faurecia for 12 years.

Community Service Activities/Affiliations:  Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts of America Den Leader, Youth League Baseball Coach, Past Parish Council Member at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Why do you want to serve as a school board member? "I have always felt it is important to be involved in the community that you live in.  Since having children I realized the vital importance of the school system to a community.  As a member of the Dexter School Board, I would like to be a part of the team to build a better school system for our children."

What is your philosophy of education? "Everything in society revolves around a quality education, and every child is entitled and deserving of a quality education."

School Board Election is Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Dexter.

Dexter, Missouri - Jason Comfort is a Dexter School Board Candidate.  The Dexter CTA made available at Monday evening's School Board Candidate Forum a little background information on each candidate to share with the public.

Family Members: Christi Comfort (wife), Maci (5th grade), Cali (1st grade), and Jase (3 years).

Personal Education History: Graduate of Dexter High School in 1996.  Three Rivers College and Southeast Missouri State University.

Occupation:  Sales Manager at Countywide Insurance Agency, Dexter.

Community Service Activities/Affiliations:  Lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Dexter, past president of Dexter Chamber of commerce and Economic Development Board, past president of Hidden Trails Country Club, Dexter Bearcat Booster Club, volunteer coach for Dexter Parks & Recreation for football, softball, and track, broadcaster for Dexter Bearcat Football.

Why do you want to serve as a school board member? "I want to work to POSITIVELY impact our students' achievements in ALL areas."

What is your philosophy of education? "I strongly believe we have to be working every day to "get better"....This applies to school board members, administrators, teachers, students, and community members.  I have Dexter Schools on a pedestal, not in an arrogant way, but in a confident way.  I believe in our greatness.  However, I also believe we have a to keep working, keep pushing for excellence.  I believe we have to operate with equal amounts of common sense and good, strong policies.  We have to advance technologically in our classrooms; we have to send our teachers to the best professional development available.  We have to have high expectations for our students!  High expectations on student, only creates higher expectations on us adults!"

School Board Election is Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Dexter.

Dexter, Missouri - Sarah (Kati) Blackler is a Dexter School Board Candidate.  The Dexter CTA made available at Monday evening's School Board Candidate Forum a little background information to share with the public.

Family Members:  Robert Blackler, Brandi (Blackler) Schwarz, Nicholas Marines, Vicki (Blackler) Craft, Brad Craft.

Personal Education History:  Graduate of Turner High School in Kansas City, KS in 1975; Graduate of DeVry in Kansas City, Missouri in 1984.

Occupation: Former Customer Service Representative; Disabled.

Community Service Activities/Affiliations:  Keys for Networking & Families Together in Kansas City; NAMI Child Advocate in Kansas City; Parent Support Specialist; Instructor for "Visions for Tomorrow" with NAMI.

Why do you want to serve as a school board member? "I have a grandson attending Dexter Schools; his is in kindergarten.  I want him to be successful by having the best education we can offer.  I want to remove Common Core from our schools; our children are not lab rats."

What is your philosophy of education? "Education is our gateway into a brighter future.  With right education, we can accomplish anything and everything."

School Board Election is Tuesday, April 7, 2015 in Dexter.