Larry Felton for Mehlville Board of Education

Patch sent all local candidates for office identical questionnaires in order to compile candidate profiles prior to the April election. Each candidate who returned the survey will be featured on the site.

Larry Felton, 66

• Address: 5949 Briarmist Place
• Occupation: Technology Partners as an Information Technology Consultant. Previously worked at AT&T (retired in 2000).
• Education: B.S. Computer Science from Iowa State University, Completed all course work for an M.S. in Computer Science
• Family: Wife Martha. Five adult children who all graduated from Mehlville High School — Brian (1997), Dan (1999), Angela (2001), Greg (2004) and Elizabeth (2006).
• Years Lived in the Mehlville School District: 30

Background

• Mehlville School Board member since 2007
• Mehlville-Oakville Foundation member
• South County YMCA Board member
• Christ Memorial Lutheran Church (VP of congregation)
• Green Park Lutheran School Board of Education (16 years, 10 years as Treasurer)
• YMCA volunteer coach (36 years);
• Two-time South County YMCA Adult Volunteer of the year

Reasons for Running

I am seeking re-election for two reasons: so that I can use my 6 years of demonstrated board experience to continue improving the student achievement levels and financial stability this district has achieved, and to continue to serve the school district where my children were given the opportunity to learn, to think and to achieve.

Questions

What do you see as the biggest issue facing the Mehlville School District? 

 The current Board of Education has made decisions to improve student achievement opportunities while demonstrating financial and operational responsibility. I believe the biggest issues for the next Board will be changes in state and local funding, and how the board’s direction will be affected if the two incumbents are not re-elected.  

In what area does Mehlville School District need to improve? Are you satisfied with the way the district has been operating? 

I am satisfied with the way the district is operating. Even the best process can be improved. I think there are three main areas for improvement: (1) Safety and Security – examine existing practices and make sure they are the best practices; (2) Student Achievement – adapt to changing standards and continue to look at new teaching practices; (3) Finances – continue to demonstrate the value of how public funds are being used.

In what areas do you intend to participate in the district outside of school board meetings? 

In my six years on the board I have actively attended and participated in the following:

• Parent volunteer organization meetings
• School activities (Honor society inductions, athletic events, music and drama concerts, classroom visits, classroom discussions)
• Mehlville representative to the Special School District (SSD) board
• Advocacy for public education
  • Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA) regional officer – elected by member school boards
  • MSBA board of directors – regional representative
  • Interaction with the district’s representatives and senators.

Mehlville School District has a Comprehensive Review Committee that is studying, among other things, merit pay for teachers. What is your position on merit pay? 

The term “merit” usually means recurring compensation that is based on how well an individual meets their goals. I believe that teacher compensation should be based on a teacher’s total contribution, which includes how well they meet those goals. The open question currently being explored by a joint board, administration and teacher committee is how the metrics and methodology for this process will be defined.

Assume you win election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your term on the board.

If elected this will be my third term on the board. I will continue to look for opportunities to improve student achievement: early childhood, classroom technology. I will also look for ways to expand the boards understanding of the ongoing costs to operate the school district: 5-year maintenance plan, 5-year financial planning model.