Francis Howell School Board Candidate: Tony Yakich

Patch reached out to all local candidates for office to do an election profile before the April election. All candidates who spoke with Patch will be featured on the site. 

Tony Yakich, 26 

Occupation: Contracted to work at St. Charles Community College through dislocated worker program. 

Education: Attends Lindenwood University in the Lindenwood College for Individualized Education program, major in HR management. Graduate of Francis Howell High School in 2005. 

Family: Raised by loving grandparents. 

Years in St. Charles County: 20+

Background:

I'm a product of the district, and I want to give back what I've received from there. I'm pursuing my degree and volunteering at Youth in Need. I've always had that mindset of helping someone else before helping myself.

Why are you running for election? 

I've always been interested in politics, I know this is not so much politics, but I've always been interested in trying to make a difference. I think it would be a great springboard to great things to come. 

What is the biggest issue facing Francis Howell School District?

There are a variety of issues that need equal attention.

In what areas does the Francis Howell School District need to improve?

It’s in my opinion that the Francis Howell School district needs to re-evaluate what criteria allows teachers to receive unpaid leave. One of my former teachers, Bryan Spencer is serving as State Representative and even though he is not working directly with the district, he is working on improving education not just for the Francis Howell School District, but for all districts throughout the entire state. “It truly troubles me to see someone who has done so much for me and other students get treated like he has done nothing!”

What areas would you prioritize as the district faces tighter budgets?

All areas that could potentially affect the students learning; we need to make sure that every student is allowed the same opportunities so that all students are successful once they exit High School.

How should the school district evaluate and measure teacher quality?

I think we need more community involvement especially from parents. I would like to see more participation when it comes time for Parent/Teacher Conferences. I think it would be neat to have report cards for students to fill out; as well, as their parents and those should pull weight on whether or not the teachers are performing at their highest potential and that the information being taught is information that will benefit the students into becoming productive citizens. Lastly, I would like to see a higher turnout rate at school board meetings, It would be great to have more attendees on a regular basis since a lot of what is being discussed will have a direct effect on students and parents that reside within the Francis Howell School District.

What's one thing you'd like to accomplish this year? 

The thing I would like is to see is whatever special issues are being brought up, like discussion on the softball field at Francis Howell or the football field at Francis Howell North, there's times you can have a student board member. If there's a special issue, I'd like to see a student impacted by that decision to attend. 

They are the ones who have to be on that field everyday. I'd like to see them at board meetings. I'd like to see the board make sure tax dollars are being spent wisely and staying in the district and they are not being used inappropriately. 

I would like to see more community involvement. I'd like to see students prepared make sure they are set and ready to go whether it's college, tech school or in the workforce. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I'm young, I feel like my occupation and what I do, whether it's at my real job or whether it's at Youth in Need, it's completely different from what all the other candidates do. Robert (Faltisek) is a nuclear physicist. Dr. (Cynthia) Bice is the Dean of Education at Lindenwood, which is fine. I work behind the scenes. I see the bed of what's going on and what kids have to deal with on a daily basis. I can relate. I feel like my ideas or what I'd like to change is going to be closely related to what the students want.