Three candidates are competing to fill two seats in the New Bloomfield R-3 School District Board of Education in the Tuesday, April 6, municipal election.
Candidates include former member Craig Abbott, newcomer Doug Glick and current member Amy Reeder Pendleton.
Current board President Terri Sweeten is not seeking re-election.
Craig Abbott
My name is Craig Abbott, and I am a 1992 graduate of New Bloomfield High School. I graduated college with a degree in natural resources management. I am a lifelong resident of NB. My wife, Kim, and I have two daughters who are the third generation to attend NB schools. Sarah is a senior, and Macie is in the eighth grade. I am an environmental manager with Republic Services, where I manage environmental compliance in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. I am also responsible for managing extensive budgets to ensure environmental compliance throughout those states.
Q1: Why did you decide to run for this position?
I decided to re-run for school board after serving for nine previous years because I believe I still have things to contribute to ensure all of our children receive the very best education, our taxpayer dollars are managed effectively and our facilities are something our patrons can be proud of.
Q2: What are your qualifications for this position?
I believe I am qualified as I have previously served three previous terms, eight years of which I was the board treasurer. When I was first elected, the condition of our school was dismal. The district was nearly broke, and through a lot of hard work by the board and administration we were able to build back stronger than ever. The district currently has a strong administration and board, and I would like to continue to be a part of that success. I think most people that know me appreciate that I stay engaged and I am not shy to ask difficult questions when necessary. At the end of the day it's about building a better educational environment for our children.
Q3: What do you see as the biggest issue facing New Bloomfield, and how do you plan to help solve it?
I believe overall the school is in a good spot. With that said, I want to ensure that we don't slip from the COVID-19 pandemic. NB has done a great job keeping our children in the classroom, and we should be proud of that considering many students across the country haven't seen a teacher face-to-face in a year. I also believe the board needs to consider our district's large fund balance as it goes forward to ensure that we are spending taxpayers' funds as we should be.
Doug Glick
My name is Doug Glick. I am 48 years old, married to Maggie Glick and the father of two children, Chase, 13, and Evan, 8. Both children attend New Bloomfield schools, where I graduated from in 1991. I am going on my 14th year at Missouri Farm Bureau, where I am an agency sales manager. I also farm with my family in New Bloomfield.
Q1: Why did you decide to run for this position?
To help the school grow and to benefit the children. I also want to be part of the community and be able to give back to it.
Q2: What are your qualifications for this position?
I am a business-oriented person who understands how to run a business, which I have done for almost 14 years. I have farmed for over 20 years. I am on the New Bloomfield United Methodist Church Board, where I am head of the trustees. I was also on the board of directors for the Missouri Farm Bureau Credit Union for six years.
Q3: What do you see as the biggest issue facing New Bloomfield, and how do you plan to help solve it?
Change is the biggest issue. Good or bad, people do not like change. It gives people anxiety, so I think you have to look at all the angles and weigh out the options and decide what is best for the children. It might not make everyone happy, but in the end, it's all about what is best for the children.
Amy Reeder Pendleton
I am a New Bloomfield resident since 2011. I am a mother of three. My youngest, Luke, is an eighth-grader in New Bloomfield. I earned a bachelor's degree in history at Columbia College. I am presently working towards a MBA/MHA. I am employed at University Hospital as the supervisor of patient admissions.
Q1: Why did you decide to run for this position?
I am running again because I am just as committed to our district as I was three years ago. I want to continue to serve our community and our children.
Q2: What are your qualifications for this position?
I believe in transparency and representing the best interests of our community, stakeholders, parents, teachers and, most importantly, our students. I am passionate about education.
Q3: What do you see as the biggest issue facing New Bloomfield, and how do you plan to help solve it?
I believe we are doing great things. The biggest issue we have been facing is COVID-19 and the trickle-down effect of trying to educate students during a pandemic. I think we've responded to these challenges quite well. We need to continue to move forward, provide our students and teachers with the best resources and opportunities, and find innovative ways to provide the best education possible.