Powers, Franz and Stoner Elected to Mehlville School Board

Elaine Powers, Rich Franz and Mark Stoner were elected by a majority of voters to serve as the new faces on the Mehlville school board. 

After a race involving nine candidates for three open positions, they will serve three-year terms on the board, collectively receiving 44.89 percent of the votes. 

"I feel vindicated because all along we felt like we were voicing the concerns of the taxpayers," Franz said. 

Franz and Stoner celebrated their victory at the Holiday Inn on Butler Hill Road. The two ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility in the district and accountability on the part of the school board. Franz said he would not support increasing the taxes of residents after the fail of Proposition C in November.  

Franz said his two top priorities on the board will be to think about the taxpayers and children in the district. 

"The board, teachers and administration take a back seat to those two groups," he said. 

Stoner, who was in the top three the entire night said he felt extreme excitement when the results were announced at approximately 10 p.m. Tuesday night. 

Franz received 3,969 (13.24 percent) votes while Stoner received 3,802 (12.68 percent) total votes.

"I'm ready to go to work tomorrow," Stoner said. "We need to start changing the mindset of the school district, and get in the mindset of excellence."

Stoner said his first priority would be to balance the district's budget. He also said he wanted to challenge the administration to encourage students to do better by going to college and extending their careers.

Powers collected the most votes in the district with 5,686 votes (18.97 percent) when 50 out of 50 precincts were counted. 

"I'm really pleased that I've had so much support from so many different organizations," Powers said. "I'm humbled by so many people who have offered support."

Powers said her priority now is to educate herself on the board's duties.

"I have to learn the mechanics of how the board works and how school districts work in general," she said. "I've done a lot of background research and worked with boards, but need to move forward in getting to know more people in the district."

Powers, along with candidates Michael Doyel and John Roland gathered at Tucker's with members of the MNEA to watch the results.

"Elaine has experience in helping children, she has individual drive and educational experience," said Mike Powers, Elaine's brother-in-law. "Her children are young and going to be here for years."

Candidates David Wessel and John Roland came in fourth and fifth with residents, breaking 3,000 votes each. 

"I will continue to be a school supporter, teacher support and district supporter," Roland said. "That's what I've been for the last 13 years."

Roland said that he will be more interested in the running of the district if not elected. 

The current school board and its new members will have to face budget constraints of $4.6 million in cuts and questions with state funding.