4 vying for Moniteau R-1 school board seats

Four candidates - Jeremiah Ranow, Brandon Dunham, Allison Kruger and Brad McCord - are running for two open seats on the Moniteau R-1 (California) School District Board of Education in the April 3 municipal election.

 

Jeremiah Ranow

Ranow, 39, is a business owner with two children, ages 7 and 4. He is originally from Florida and has lived in the California school district for two years.

"I view the school board as the backbone for our school system, and I would like the opportunity to be part of the decision-making process leading our children to be productive and successful citizens in our community," he said of his reason for running.

He serves as a parent volunteer at California Elementary School and as a coach for recreational youth athletic programs and has volunteered at the HALO House in Jefferson City.

Ranow listed issues most important to him as student safety and budget efficiency.

When asked about his view on a 2020 bond issue, he responded: "I feel that it is very important to continue allocation of funding towards facility growth and improvement with emphasis on school safety, staying ahead of the technology curve, and providing adequate facilities to accommodate a growing district and student body. With the upcoming FEMA programs set to focus on school safety, I feel that we need to take this opportunity and maximize the incentives in an effort to sustain as much facility and security growth as possible. A safe haven for our schools that can double as a community safe place will prove very beneficial to our students and community."

 

Brandon Dunham

Dunham, 35, is founder and CEO of industrial service provider All In One Solution. He has two children, in fourth grade and kindergarten, and said he has lived within the California school district his entire life.

"I feel I am at a point in my life in which I want to start working more for our community that has stood behind me my whole life," he said. "I want to see California R-1 succeed in all areas and be the best that we can be. If elected, I will be your voice and help make our school district a place where students want to learn, parents want to send their children, teachers want to teach and employees want to work."

He cited designing and overseeing the Safe and Wellness Program for his region at U.S. Water as an example of his leadership experience. He has volunteered with the Methodist Church, Relay for Life, California Youth Football and several California Rec programs.

Dunham said issues most important to him include safety, success of all students and communication.

Asked about the possible 2020 bond issue, he said: "I am very excited for our school district and community. The plan for the 2020 bond is to build a FEMA shelter in between the existing elementary and middle school. This FEMA shelter will allow more classroom space and will house the fifth-graders. This will be a nice transition for the fifth-graders going from the elementary to the middle school. The lower level would be utilized as another gym, which would cut back on late after-school practices and allow kids to complete their studies at a decent time. The biggest thing, I see, is the renovation of the elementary school, which would include a new building for our younger elementary kids which would help increase the size of our pre-K program."

 

Allison Kruger

Kruger, 39, is office manager for Bonnie Plants Inc. and D & R Plants LLC. She has three sons - in first, fifth and eighth grades - and has been a lifetime California area resident.

"I love our community and our school. I wouldn't want to raise my family any other place," she said. "This school district is the core of our community, and it is time for me to step up and use my abilities to serve on our school board."

Kruger is an active member of United Church of Christ and has volunteered with American Cancer Society, the Joshua's Angels Moniteau County Relay for Life team, Twin City 4-H Club and numerous school activities.

She said high-quality education for all students and school safety are priorities for her.

She also supports the proposed 2020 bond issue.

"A few priorities will be upgrading security and technology in all buildings, and a new elementary school that would resolve the overcrowding issues and the addition of an early childhood education program that all children in the school district could attend. The current pre-K program only includes one classroom," she said of the potential improvements.

 

Brad McCord

McCord, 49, is a state outreach coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. He has two daughters, ages 18 and 14, and has lived in the California school district about 18 years.

"I have been very fortunate to live in rural communities in several states," he said. "The school district is often a critical link between the community and the many activities and individuals that help communities thrive. I look forward to being part of continued communication between the school and community as both grow and meet the needs of our students and educators."

He has served on the Board of Directors for the Moniteau County Cattlemen's Association and has been treasurer for the California Masonic Lodge No. 183 for the past 10 years. He also has served as Moniteau County 4-H Council president, co-leader of the Twin City 4-H Club and on the Moniteau County MU Extension Council.

He cited providing leadership opportunities and attracting the best faculty and staff as primary goals for the school district.

McCord said he would not necessarily support a 2020 bond issue but would review the proposal.

"I don't view the need for a bond issue in 2020 as an automatic yes vote," he said. "It will be important to review the district's assets and liabilities, combined with anticipated growth and condition of buildings and facilities. Public input will also be critical in judging community support. With the right planning process in place and the need for increased services clearly identified, I would support the district working toward planning for a new bond issue to continue to advance the opportunities to educate our students and make the district competitive in the region."