Meet the Candidates: Eric Seider Hoping for a Spot on Francis Howell Board

Eric Seider is back for another try to join the Francis Howell Board of Education.

Seider, who ran last year, is running again for one of the two open spots on the Board. He's one of four running in the April 3, election. 

Before the election, Patch is going to profile each of the candidates. Last up, alphabetically, is Eric Seider.

Eric Seider: Candidate for Francis Howell Board of Education

Where do you live? 537 Wyatt Dr, St. Peters, MO, 63376

What is your current job and/or position? Director of Internet Technology & Telecom, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1994 to present.

Why are you running for School Board? I have a lifelong passion for public education. As a parent of four children, I have been very involved in the school district and my children’s education. Public education is the key to competing in the global economy and growing our local economy. Students in the district should be well prepared for college, technical schools, apprenticeships, or their career paths.

Relevant Experience: I have more than twenty years of management experience with both union represented and nonunion represented staff. I have managed operational and capital budgets in excess of $2,000,000 annually and can balance the need for strict cost controls and successful operations. I also understand the difference between capital and operational budgets. I am currently the Secretary/Webmaster for the Francis Howell North Band Boosters and a member of the following Francis Howell School District Committees: Strategic Planning Committee, Technology Committee, Finance Committee, and Curriculum Advisory Committee.

What do you think you can bring to this position? I can bring an independent voice on issues facing the district based on my business experience. I will bring fiscal responsibility to the board. I will always make decisions that are in the best interest of students. I will support teachers and administration in raising student achievement. I will not micro-manage district administration. I will be a voice for parents and patrons in the community.

Please tell us about one goal you have for this position. I would like to raise achievement levels throughout the district to be the highest in the St. Louis metropolitan area and the state. I would like a diploma from Francis Howell School District to be recognized nationwide as proof of a high quality education.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the District? I believe the biggest challenge for the Francis Howell School District is financial. Missouri state spending on education continues to decrease to one of the lowest in the nation and federal spending on education continues to decrease. Assessed property values throughout the financial recession have decreased property tax revenue for the district. With 90 percent of district spending going to student transportation, employee salaries and employee benefits, there is very little room for cost-cutting that does not impact student learning.

Budget projections have Francis Howell faced with deficit spending in the not-so-distant future. What do you think the District should do to address the situation? A main focus of the district should be educating our community on the financial situation facing the district. As the state budget for public education spending continues to be incompletely funded and federal revenue for education continues to be less than promised, the burden on public education falls on the local community. Our community values public education for our children and understands the importance it plays on property values and our local economy. We should urge the public to voice their concerns to their state and national legislators to make public education a priority and keep their promises for funding. The district should also look to non-standard forms of revenue like advertising on stadiums, auditoriums, and buses. 

Howell Central and Howell North currently don't have a synthetic grass playing surface on their football fields. Should the district make it a priority to replace grass fields with field turf? The Francis Howell School District Facilities Committee has already listed turf fields on the priority list of items to be completed. The turf fields for Francis Howell Central and Francis Howell North are currently listed lower than other needed capital improvements such as heating, ventilation, and cooling at some of our schools. I believe that turf fields should be installed at Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central if there is sufficient capital bond money left available for the following reasons:

• We should strive to maintain equitable facilities at our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. If you are a resident of the district, you expect the resources available at each school to be comparable. 
• Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central are the last two schools without artificial turf in St. Charles County.  All other school districts in the county have prioritized turf for their fields.  Without turf, Francis Howell North and Francis Howell Central are at a competitive disadvantage when competing with other area schools.
• Access to turf fields will allow school activities which currently practice on the parking lots access to a safer practice environment.
• Access to turf fields at the high schools allow for year-round outdoor physical education which is an advantage over physical education classes indoors.

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Previous Francis Howell Candidate Profiles: , ,

A request for information was sent out to each of the candidates and this is the response. 

Note: Candidates and supporters should feel free to comment, but please keep things professional.No attacks, no name calling, no profanity. Thanks.