Mehlville taxpayers came out Monday to question the candidates running for the Mehlville School District Board of Education. Election Day is Tuesday, April 2.
Three candidates are running for the two open seats on the board. Incumbents Venki Palamand and Larry Felton are both seeking a third three-year term. Challenger Lori Trakas is seeking her first term on the board.
In random and changing order, each candidate was given two minutes to answer the same question. Here are a few of the big questions and each candidate's answer.
Suppose the school district receives $5-10 million in new revenue. What would you do with it?
- Trakas: "I would look at the budget and see where we are. I would look at the best way the money could be used. The people should have a voice in the decision."
- Palamand: "It depends on whether the money is from a recurring source or a one-time infusion. If it was a recurring source, I would reduce class size and improve teacher pay. A one-time infusion is a lot harder to work with."
- Felton: "I would put money into early childhood programs. Expand the program to more students. If it is a recurring cost, we really can't put that into salaries."
What are your feelings on the new auditorium?
- Palamand: "I couldn’t be more pleased. This was really Dr. Knost's vision. We are the only district in the area that doesn’t have an auditorium. This is a wonderful addition to our facilities that is being done within budget and with no tax increase. We refinanced bonds. I think we made a bold step forward."
- Felton: "As a choir parent, I'm very excited. This is not a new idea—we've talked about this since the early 1990s. It was always identified in our long-range planning. With patience and perseverance, it's coming."
- Trakas: "Auditoriums are wonderful beautiful things, but not every district has one. I'm concerned with how we went about attaining it. There was a tax increase in 2000. The board bumped up the budget $21 million. Then we refinance the money ten years later—was the money allocated for that?"
Do you think the District should continue character education?
- Felton: "Yes. You can see it when you are going through the schools. It gives the children a better idea of how to interact with each other. They are learning to protect each other and look out for one another."
- Palamand: "It is a great addition to our school district. I spoke to an English teacher who started teaching in Mehlville in 2000. The teacher said the students today are much better behaved, better to deal with. It is a hard to put a price on that, but instinctively you know it is better."
- Trakas: "Character is a good thing. The question is how much to allocate? Are these programs successful? Can you point to their accomplishments? How are we partnering with parents? Twenty or 30 years ago, we need character education. Character was coming from the home."
Should the theory of evolution be taught in Mehlville Schools?
- Felton: "Evolution is the state curriculum. It is recognized as a fundamental theory of science. AP courses, college entrance exams all use it. It is a basic structure of science teaching."
- Trakas: "Evolution is one theory. All theories should be represented in public education."
- Palamand: "Evolution is required by the state and it is a great explanation of what has occurred in our world."
How would you make Mehlville Schools a better place to be?
- Felton: "It starts in the classroom. We need to maintain highly qualified teachers. A rewarding experience comes from good classroom teachers and a parent who cares. We need to put information and services out there into the home. It all starts with early education."
- Palamand: "We have qualified classroom teachers. I think we need continuity. We've had low teacher turnover. We need to fully fund technology and utilize smartboards, cameras and laptops."
- Trakas: "I'm not going to turn my back on the public. Our children are at 40-45 percent proficient. We have AP scholars but what about the ones in the middle? We need to reach them now if they are going to have a chance."
*Editor's Note: Attached to this story are video clips of the closing statements given by each candidate.
Karl Frank Jr.
11:30 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Lori Trakas is out of touch, contradictory, and anti-science. Don't take my word for it. See it for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVAeSAZePzI
Pam Z
4:12 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
And you think Lori Trakas is out of touch because she thinks schools should offer alternative views or because she is concerned about the shell games that take place when it comes to the school boards and the allocations of the funds? Both right?
Jason Wescoat
1:53 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
C'mon Karl. As always, you're welcome to your opinion. However, putting together a set of edited segments of comments, out of order and out of context, is at best unfair and you know it.
Christine Stewart Mehigh
7:07 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Jason, I was there, and it was actually far worse than the montage. Go watch the entire thing, it is on youtube. Ms. Trakas was terribly out of touch, contradicted herself multiple times, and spent the entire evening looking up her answers in a binder. Answers that weren't in the binder were confused and rambling. Just my take on it. Again, go watch for yourself.
Karl Frank Jr.
9:38 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Yes. Just watch. I just shortened it and emphasized the parts that were important to me as well as the most bizarre.
JMiller
12:48 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Great, Karl Frank and his boot licker Mehigh. You can always count on these two for an unbiased opinion on school board members/issues. Just because you didn't have the courage to complete your tour in the school board, doesn't mean they shouldn't have a fair opportunity.
Christine Stewart Mehigh
3:15 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Watch for yourself then"JMiller", apparently you didn't care enough to be there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-lTArQl98o
PaulRevere
1:21 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Slam dunk who can best serve in the "public's interest"
Auditorium answers tell it all.
Palamand- says "Dr Knost's vision" "done with NO tax increase". A total disregard for the district's vision. The taxpayers desire. Where was Dr Knost in 2000. There was a TAX INCREASE then . used for this Free" auditorium. Should be the Boards' vision.
Felton says "I like it as choir parent". "We talked about it since 1990's". Now that's real district resident's interest aside. Both- self-interest statements. "I" and "We" are telling signs of Felton's decision making abilities. I wonder how many of "YOU" the people Mr Felton would please.
Ms Lakas- My choice --her answer spot on for the people's interest. Budgets? and clearly stating new Auditorium was NOT voted by the people.
VOTE FOR LAKAS.
Mehlville needs a Board member that will really shake the opinions and needs of the residents financial ability to support public schools. Not support "Visions" of superintendents. Nor support lies that tell the people an auditorium comes "FREE".
PaulRevere
1:34 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Attn: Private school Parents (homeowners)
Mehlville ALL Voters. I urge all Mehlville residents (Especially those residents who send their children to private schools). Go vote for Ms. LAKAS to balance the public school board.
Your Real estate tax will rise , if you don't.
If you do not send your child to public school- you must vote FOR MS LAKAS.
It is time you stop being asked to support a system that is out of cost control. Building and spending YOUR MONEY on things that are NOT "EDUCATION" needs.
If you don't use public schools , you should make sure you GET OUT AND VOTE FOR MS. LAKAS on the school board.
Catholics, Protestants, Jewish, evangelicals all must vote to keep your Taxes low.
You can make the difference. You are in control. Do it. Vote for NO TAX INCREASES.
VOTE FOR Ms LAKAS as new School Board memeber.
Karl Frank Jr.
1:39 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Property values have declined in Mehlville more than any other school district in the county. 7%. That's for everyone that owns a house in this community.
What kind of investment would you hold on to that continued to lose value at that rate. PaulRevere's mindset is why our community is failing.
Protect your investment and vote for people who lead ethically, meaningfully, and in a child-centered way. www.Facebook.com/Get2KnowLarry
Larry is a father of five Mehlville graduates, youth basketball coach for over 30 years, served 16 years on the Green Park Lutheran Board of Education, serving his 10th year on the YMCA Board of Advisers, and 6th year on the Mehlville Board of Education.
PaulRevere
3:01 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Oh Karl!
You know my mindset-- do you?
It's Ms. LAKAS mindset that residents will be voting on.
Karl Frank Jr.
2:17 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Not to mention, Larry is supported by people who aren't afraid to use their real and full names...
PaulRevere
3:22 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
I have nothing against Larry.
But any school board should not have "permanent" mind-sets. The current administration is "leveraging" the community with Taxpayer money.
(all in the name of Education). Growing Education needs must start with building more classrooms to "teach". $6mil was spend at a time to fullfill one person's "Vision".
It's easy to claim success spending someone else's money. Mehlville needs another new voice to make sure this nonsense stops.
B/T/W Ms LAKAS is supported by many "real" and "Full" names. One day , you will know who I am. (Only because I appreciate your convictions)
First comes accomplishment and Education of the Public-taxpayer.
You see, I am not accustomed to failing.
Karl Frank Jr.
3:32 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Well then...the suspense...keeps...me up...at...night.
What...shall...i do...in the...meantime...
One thing is or sure. Your grammar implies a hatred of education...oh, and that you are a narcissist with a Joker complex.
Coward.
PaulRevere
4:48 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
More name calling!
Actually, your comments and name-calling are starting to reveal the real "Karl Frank Jr".
Unfriendly territory here on the "Patch". That's why I'm here.
Hard for you to deal with any opposing views? Stay focused on my "grammar". It's obviously the best argument that could improve "me", but does zilch to justify your Board candidate.
Karl Frank Jr.
5:00 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
LOL, The anonymous coward complaining about being called out. If the the boot fits...
Larry Runge
5:30 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Smell like tea party to me!!!
Larry Runge
5:53 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
"smells" I don't want my grammar criticized :-)
PaulRevere
12:42 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
Private school Citizens-Time to Vote
Larry & Karl are not interested in the whole district. They have an agenda.
Don't fall for their Bully tactics.
A Board that is about "liberalism" in our public schools. Against teaching "morals".
Not one Candidate has offered to "represent the YOU-the people". EXCEPT candidate Ms. LAKAS.
If you don't start voting for some balance on your school boards---ALL of you will eventually suffer more property losses. (With higher Real estate taxes on the businesses you depend on.)
Do You Want To Pay More For everything You Buy from Mehlville businesses?
That's exactly the trend the current Board has set-up. Charging more for business taxes WILL make YOU pay more for everything YOU buy.
Don't be fooled.
Name calling Ms Lakas is proof of Karl's and now Larry's tactics. You see them crawling out of the woodwork to disparage who people are, not their views.
There is no debate with ignorance.
Give Ms Lakas a try, you Will all benefit.
Karl Frank Jr.
12:47 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
Joker Complex,
Who exactly do you think is reading this? LOL. I don't think private school families spend nearly as much time trolling Patch as you do.
Karl
Larry Runge
2:37 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
Who's name calling? Ms. Lakas is facebook friends and liked by open tea party members.
Bob McKitrick
4:18 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
I've stated it on other forums and I'll repeat it here.... I don't know how anyone can vote against Palamand and Felton. They have been very good board members and have served the Mehlville community with distinction. I do not share Ms. Trakas' political views ... and I can't help but think that she is following an ultra conservative narrative. I'm not going to sling mud at her, but honestly, I'd have a hard time voting for anyone else but Palamand and Felton.
Mike Stevens
8:07 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
Perhaps Mr. PaulRevere should ask for a refund on his private school tuition, since he keeps telling people to vote for Ms. LAKAS, when the candidate's name is Ms. TRAKAS. But what do I know, I went to public school!
Bryan Andrews.
9:25 pm on Tuesday, April 2, 2013
So did Mrs Trakas she went Oakville and fell through the cracks her words not mine her skin isn't thick enough. She will be just another Jim Murphy puppet.
Bryan Andrews.
10:14 am on Thursday, April 4, 2013
Paul Revere went to Hancock. Stop being a coward paul give us your name. Really are you that big of a wussy.