St. Charles Board of Education Candidate Ron Alfred

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. 

Ron Alfred, 58

Occupation: Technical Manager at software company for utilities

Education: B. S. in Computer Science, Southeast Missouri State University

Family: Wife, Kathy is a lunch aid at Jefferson Intermidiate school.  Daughters, Emily and Claire are teachers, son Henry is in college at Southeast Missouri State University.

Years in St. Charles: 50+ years

Background: 

The mission statement of our school district reads as such; “The City of St. Charles School District will educate all students to become caring, productive, life-long learners in a global society.” I believe my profile indicates my ability to fulfill this mission.

• As an assistant scoutmaster, quartermaster, vice chair and merit badge counselor, I played a part in 28 scouts achieving Eagle Scout over the past 8 years. (life-long skills/leadership/productive citizens)
•  I have been a Youth Sunday School teacher. (caring)
• I have been an adult advisor on five youth mission trips building Habitat Homes. (caring and teaching construction skills)
• As a band parent, I organized and ran two house tours. The proceeds were used to buy the band an equipment trailer and paint it. It’s amazing want you can accomplish when you collaborate with our community.

Why are you running for election?

Many candidates will say it’s their way of giving back (see my profile) to the community. My passion is simply giving St. Charles City a fighting chance to be a vital town. It’s slipping away from us because of our aging population. How many city dollars over the years have been on trying to redefine Frenchtown? In reality, ever since McKinley school closed less young families have moved into that area. The middle section of town bordering Randolph, Elm Point Rd., West Clay and Duchesne was built in the 60’s and 70s. Many of these are the original homeowners are now well into their 80’s and moving out. We can market these homes as starter homes for this next generation.

It takes leadership from the School Board, St. Charles City, Realtors, Bankers, etc…to work together has a community to make this happen. If you’re not ready to give up on St. Charles, then you need to vote for me. Doing the status quo isn’t going to improve our enrollment or financial numbers.

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

The St. Charles School District must be accountable to all residents with not only tax payer money going out but also revenue coming in. We are getting short changed by these TIFs (Tax Incremental Financing). The most recent Schnucks Complex project is a subsidy of 9.6 million. Take one guess whose taxes will go up to cover these shortfalls to our school district, fire, ambulance, etc… It’s the spending power of young families that will attract more business revenue and thus stabilize the tax base.

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

I believe this school district consistently worries about its future enrollment numbers. The only lasting remedy is a rebirth of young professionals moving into the school district.  St. Charles has a large stock of three-bedroom ranch homes that were built in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Many of these homeowners are the original owners, well into their 80s.  Who will move into these well-maintained houses?  The map of St. Charles is not going to change but the people that live here will.

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

Class size and teacher quality is the most important.  We can improve our tax base by attracting young professionals. The spending power of these young families will attract additional business revenue versus TIFs.

How should the school district evaluate and measure teacher quality?

If elected, I would review what methods other school districts have done to be successful in this evaluation.  

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

Evaluate lost tax revenue and how we can we reclaim it.  The school board needs to meet with the city officials on a quarterly basis and our state representatives on a yearly basis.

I would also start a program called “Sensibility in St. Charles”.