Two incumbents and one newcomer were elected to the Park Hill board of education in the Tuesday, April 4 municipal election.
Incumbents Bart Klein and Janice Bolin won re-election, as did newcomer Scott Monsees. Bolin received 5,966 votes, Monsees 5,393 and Klein 5,133. Candidate and former Park Hill principal Jim Dunn received 4,056 votes.
An empty seat on the board vacated last week through resignation will be filled via appointment later this month.
Janice Bolin
Bolin has served on the board for the last eight years and feels her board experience and background in accounting and business have given her the financial skills to be an asset to the district.
In a tough economic environment, she said the district must remain fiscally efficient while retaining excellent staff. Changing demands for jobs and the skills necessary for those jobs, means the district need to continue its work with community employers and be adaptive. She said the district already has the framework in place to address these issues, and she would continue to monitor and improve upon them to maximize the usage of resources and taxpayer funds.
“I want to continue to govern the district in a manner that values and improves our academic excellence,” Bolin said.
Scott Monsees
Monsees has worked in the software industry for 25 years and launched his own software consulting company in 1999. He has been an involved parent in the Park Hill School District for the past 10 years and said during the campaign he wanted to ensure the continued success of the district.
Monsees campaigned on the online safety and security of students, as well as district growth and continuing the quality of education. He wants make certain appropriate policies are in place and tools are correctly implemented to protect students while online. He also wishes to apply rigorous financial oversight.
“Our Park Hill schools are some of the best in the state,” Monsees said during the campaign. “I only intend to continue that trajectory.”
Klein has served on the board since 2014 and is the current board treasurer.
Bart Klein
During his professional career within the information technology community, he has assisted several educational entities as a volunteer. He uses that background in his work on the board. Additionally, as his children have attended both Park Hill schools and St. Therese School, he hopes to represent all families in the community through his experience.
“Both educational environments have their benefits and I believe I am a better informed school board member as a result,” Klein said.
Klein has also worked as a political advocate for the district by meeting with state elected officials to discuss issues and proposed bills impacting the district.
The board is also seeking to fill an empty seat with the resignation of board member Karen Holland last week. The board accepted Holland’s resignation at the Thursday, March 30 regular meeting.
Holland had one year left on her three-year term.
Applications for appointment to the board will be accepted until noon Friday, April 14. Applicants must be legally eligible for service.
Generally, these requirements include that the applicant must be at least 24 years of age; a resident and non-delinquent district taxpayer; and have resided in Missouri for at least one year before the appointment. Specific requirements and the timeline for selection are available at the district website, parkhill.k12.mo.us.
The board will hold open meetings to select a candidate and expects to swear in the new member at its Thursday, April 27 meeting.