In a field of eight candidates and with no incumbents on the ballot, two newcomers were elected to the Platte County R-3 School District’s board of education Tuesday - Mike Matousek and Shawn Chiddix.
Matousek received 762 votes - 21 percent - and Chiddix received 735 - 20 percent. Other candidates received, in ballot order, Jacy Danbury, 261 votes; Michael Claxton, 573 votes; Ralph Rogers, 98 votes; Matt Craine, 631 votes; Kathy Schlimm, 343 votes; and Robert Shepherd, 152 votes.
Matousek, 38, is from Kansas City. Married, he has two young children. Matousek works as director of state legislative affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).
Chiddix, 44, is from Kansas City and has two kids in the district. He has worked as a regulator within the securities industry for over 20 years and said that career gives him a unique perspective.
MATOUSEK
“Schools are the foundation of our community and there are dozens of issues the school board will have to deal with,” Matousek said, noting the district has about 4,200 students, more than 600 members of staff and a $51 million annual budget to oversee. “We need more people on the board that will put in the time and effort this position requires.”
He said board members need to pay attention and be prepared for board meetings to be able to provide this oversight.
He said the pressing issues facing the district involve the ongoing construction and planning for long-term capital projects, a sizeable debt load, student enrollment growth, the opening of a new elementary and middle school on the south end of the district and more.
“My role would be to focus on better oversight of school district leadership, better use of taxpayer dollars and giving parents a better voice in decisions impacting their kids and the community.
CHIDDIX
“Within some of my roles, I’ve had the opportunity to build relationships with and lead some of the most interesting people from all walks of life and culture,” Chiddix said. “While my background isn’t education, I feel like I’m a lifelong learner who seeks understanding of information and concepts. I bring a skill set of analytics, finance, critical thinking, growth-oriented mind set and much more.”
He serves on the district’s community advisory steering committee, through which he has met patrons across the district. Additionally, his wife works as a teacher at Platte City Middle School.
“I’m running to ensure our school board is focused on the long-term success of the district and not just short term political hot topics,” he said. “My children have greatly benefited from this school district since kindergarten, and I want to give back to our community.”
Chiddix said he wants to help the district to continue its work in preparing students to enter society in a variety of roles including through the Northland Career Center or the NCAPS program.