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6 candidates vie for 4 seats on CUSD 10 Board

Times-Tribune staff

Six candidates will be running in the April 4 election for four positions on the Board of Education for Collinsville Community Unit School District 10.

On the April 4 ballot, voters will be asked to pick four individuals. Running in the upcoming election, named as they appear on the ballot are Jane Soehlke, Michele S. Stutts, Vicki Reulecke, Dennis Craft, Michael Aden and Derek A. Whitener.

In an effort to inform voters, the Times-Tribune this week asked each to complete a simple profile on their candidacy. All were given the same questionnaire, which asked for biographical and experience information. Here are their responses.

Jane Soehlke
Age:     
78
Educational background:
I have a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Elementary Education from SIUE.
Prior Government Experience:
I have been on the board since 2011.
Organizational Membership:
None
Why are you running for office:
I am seeking a seat on the Collinsville Unit Ten School Board. I am seeking to be reelected. I am running for the school board to ensure that the students in Collinsville continue to receive the education needed to have a successful adult life.
Website/Facebook Page:
jjsoehlke@yahoo.com

Michele Stutts
Age:                                                       
72
Education:
Bachelors and Masters Special Education and Elementary Education
Current Occupation:
Retired Teacher
Government experience:
N/A
Organizational memberships:
St Stephen Caseyville, where I am a Minister of the Eucharist and a quilter, also a member of the St Ann’s Society
Why are you running for office?
What I have experienced in my one term as a board member has been both eye opening and enlightening and I am proud to be a part of the decision-making team that has initiated the improvement projects that have affected nearly every building in the district. I have seen first had what our teachers, support staff and administration accomplish on a daily basis and I marvel at their dedication. I feel that we have been fiscally responsible and have worked diligently to create opportunities that are beneficial for students, staff and the school district community. It is my sincere hope that I am given the opportunity to continue this work. I would be honored to see the completion of the new school in Caseyville as well as the addition at DIS, and vow to continue to serve honorably and honestly and to make Unit 10 one of the top districts in the area.
My Facebook page:
Michele Stutts for Unit 10 school board

Vicki Reulecke
Age:     
66
Educational Background:
Collinsville High School graduate 1974; Bachelor of Science in Education (SIU-E, 1977); Master of Science in Education (SIU-E, 1981); Master of Education (McKendree, 2008)
Current occupation:
Retired educator, 36 years in Collinsville Unit 10
Prior government experience:
Current member of the Collinsville Unit 10 Board of Education
Organizational memberships:
St. John United Church of Christ-Collinsville; Illinois Association of School Boards
Why are you running for office?:
I have chosen to run for reelection to the Collinsville Unit District 10 Board of Education because I have a continued interest in working with the students, staff and families of our school district. I believe my experience and knowledge will allow me to help the Board of Education make decisions that improve educational outcomes for our students.
Hobbies/activities/special interests:
Reading, genealogy, travel, and spending time with my family

Dennis Craft
Age:               
74
Educational Background:
BS, Elementary Education at SIUE, MS, Educational Leadership at SIUE, Doctorate of Education, St. Louis University
Current occupation:
Retired educator
Prior government experience:
Currently on school board serving as treasurer
Organizational Memberships:
Illinois Association of School Boards
Why are you running for office?
I would like to continue to serve on the Collinsville School Board to provide our students an excellent quality education program. Another priority os to continue to provide fiscal accountability.
Hobbies/activities/special interest:
Watching grandchildren, lawn work and model trains

Michael Aden
Age: 
67
Educational Background:
BSc. Mining Engineering from Colorado School of Mines
MBA from Washington University
Current occupation:
Retired and Associate Pastor (The Bridge Church in Glen Carbon)
Prior government experience:
N/A
Organizational Memberships:
Chair the Board of Administration of Gateway Conference of the Free Methodist Church
Greenville University – Engineering Advisory Board
Past Chair of The Restore Network – A faith-based organization that supports foster
families while advocating for a better foster care system.
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
LifeLine Pilots – Volunteer medical air transport organization
Why are you running for office?
Our children are the future of our community and nation. Therefore, we must provide the best education possible within the limits of our resources. For our children to compete in a world economy that demands competence, they must have a solid education in math, science, reading, writing, the arts, and vocations. This requires curricula and classroom time that builds competence.
Never has so much information been so readily available, and so easy to embed bias. Therefore our children must be prepared to ask probing questions and weigh evidence like a jury in a courtroom in forming opinions or making decisions.
The most significant learning opportunity is in the classroom with the teacher. I want to see teachers and classrooms adequately resourced to maximize this opportunity. At the same time, we need to remove tasks and conditions that burden teachers but do not add value to the student’s learning experience.
Our students must have a balanced understanding of the history of our nation, its founding, the founding fathers, the nature and structure of our government, our Constitution, and their obligation as citizens of our great country. Without this understanding, they will be prone to trading it away for something less.
Children’s education, along with their moral and character formation, is the responsibility of the parents/guardians. They may elect to delegate some aspects of this to the public school system, but they collectively have the right to redirect in areas where the curricula or methods do not align with their values. Their voice must be heard.
I want to ensure that we are good stewards of the taxpayer funds allocated to the district and have contingency plans against risks of funding shortfalls.
Finally, our schools must be safe for students, teachers, and staff.
These are the things that motivate me to serve as a Collinsville District #10 school board member.
My experience in engineering, industrial, consulting, business, analysis, and strategy implementation will increase the experiential diversity of the board.
Hobbies/activities/special interest:
Flying is my hobby. I am a private pilot with an instrument rating. I am blessed to provide medical transport for people who cannot tolerate or afford the cost of travel from their homes to the medical facility. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and serving in my church.
Website/Facebook Page:
Citizens for Michael Aden

Derek Whitener
Age: 
30
Educational Background:
Graduated from Collinsville High School in 2011. Graduated from SIUE with a dual major in Economics and Finance.
Current Occupation:
Financial Planning Analyst at US Steel in Granite City.
Prior Government Experience:
N/A
Organizational Memberships:
N/A
Why are you running for office?
I believe as a community we should strive to help students become the best versions of themselves. Our kids deserve the best education and support that we can provide and that starts with the quality of our schools. Today I believe there are too many opinions and fears of what is happening in our classrooms and not enough concern to the issues students actually face. Our students are getting further and further behind as we push forward since Covid, and we need a plan to bring them back to standards we would be proud of.
Hobbies/Activities/Special Interests:
My wife and I have renovated parts of both of the past two homes we have lived in and enjoy working and landscaping on our home. We are new parents to a two year old daughter so most of our days are spent chasing her around and watching her experience the world.
Website/Facebook Page:
Derek Whitener for Collinsville School Board

 

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