St. Charles Board of Education Candidate Marita Malone

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. 

Marita Malone, 62

Occupation: contract investigations, adjunct instructor at Saint Louis University, council member, and volunteer money manager in the Lutheran Senior Services' Volunteer Money Management Program

Education: Ph.D., Public Administration, Master's Business Administration

Family: Husband Michael and three step children, all who went through the public school system

Years in St. Charles: On and off since I was a child.  Moved back to St. Charles the last time in 2003. My father's family has lived in Saint Charles since the 1830s.

Background:

• Retired FBI Special Agent 
• Member of the Saint Charles School District's Comprehensive School Improvement Planning (CSIP) Committee's Highly Qualified Staff Subcommittee
• Member of the St. Charles County University of Missouri Extension Council
• Former Asst Professor and Chair, Criminal Justice and Security Management, Saint Louis University
• Former adjunct instructor of Management for the University of Virginia-Charlottesville
• Former teacher and coach in Saint Charles
• Three step-children who went through the public school system

Why are you running for election?

I am passionate about the importance of education. Our children are the future of our country, and must be prepared to keep our nation and community strong. The City of Saint Charles public schools are the great equalizer in our community; they offer all students the opportunity to succeed. Therefore, it is imperative that our schools meet the needs of the community it serves.

Having taught at the university level for a number of years, I know that not all children should or want to go to college.  We have a dearth of electricians, plumbers, and other skilled and industrial labor; frankly, these occupations have greater job opportunities and make more money than many college degrees that are not technically oriented.

The community, and therefore, the school system, should be encouraging these occupations, as well.  Our country and community need them. Of course, all children, regardless whether they are college bound or not, should be able to read, write, and problem solve at an acceptable level before leaving high school.

Currently the Saint Charles School Board is struggling to cut $8 million from the school district’s budget. It is a difficult task to determine what is essential for our children to be successful. If I were making those decisions, I would keep four things in mind: “Children first,” be thorough,” “be fair,” and “be wise.” I would work to make our tax dollars go further and do more than ever before. 

I am running for the school board because I want to be part of the decision making that keeps the Saint Charles schools valuable and vibrant for our children and community. As a retired FBI Agent, I know how important the safety of our children is to everyone.  As a former teacher, I also know that our children must receive the best possible education and start in life.  I believe in the public school system.  I believe in fairness, integrity, and value for our tax dollar.  I want to:

1. Serve the needs of all students, regardless of abilities

2. See that our tax dollars are spent wisely

3. Support the educators in ways to ensure quality education

4. Make sure children have a safe learning environment 

What is the biggest issue facing St. Charles School District?  

The biggest issue that is apparent to me is cutting the budget in a way that is thoughtful and fair. The budget decisions affect not only the direction of the school system and the children, but also the staff, teachers, and the community as a whole.  

The biggest challenge facing the school district is to maintain excellent teachers and programs that definitively improve the children’s ability to compete in a rapidly changing world. This challenge is highlighted in the face of diminishing federal and state funds.

In what areas does St. Charles School District need to improve?

I cannot respond to this question without first reviewing all the programs and departments. Because I am not an incumbent, I am not privy to the requisite data to determine what really needs to be improved.

What areas would you prioritize as the district downsizes its budget due to less revenue from the state? 

I cannot respond to this question without first reviewing all the programs and departments. Because I am not an incumbent, I am not privy to the requisite data to determine what really needs to be improved.

How should the school district evaluate and measure teacher quality? 

Currently the teachers and administrators are working with a new teacher evaluation system.  It comes at the same time that the district is working with standard based grading, the influence of state-pushed Common Core, student effectiveness testing, and so much more. Teachers certainly must be inundated with conflicting demands. In general, though, a teacher’s evaluation should be based on the teachers’ ability to reach their students and to impart knowledge that will make their students successful not only in subject areas, but also in citizenship and social responsibility.

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

I actually have two foci in the first year. First, I would like the budget to be in line with the district's strategic plan. That would help in the decision making on budget cuts. Second, I would like to study, with the help of the Lewis and Clark and the adult education personnel, options for students who want to join the skilled labor force.