Webster Groves Board of Education Candidate Q and A: Emerson Smith

Editor's note:Kirkwood-Webster Groves Patch sent the following questions to each of the four candidates for the Webster Groves School District Board of Education. In the past week, we have profiled , and .

Candidates are running for three open spots on the school board. Board members serve three-year overlapping terms. The election is April 5.

Please provide a brief description of your educational and professional background.

I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. I have continued my professional development as a school board member in the areas of School Law and Finance, Student Achievement, Board Operations and Governance, and Contemporary Issues in Education. I am currently working to achieve an Advance Board Member Certification with the Missouri School Boards’ Association. I am Vice President of Consumer Lending for the Anheuser Busch Employees’ Credit Union, where I have been employed for 20 years.

How long have you lived in the district?

I am a 28-year resident of Webster Groves.

If you would like to, feel free to provide a brief description of your family and where your children attend, or attended, school?

My wife Paula and I have two children: Mackenzie, who is a graduate of Webster Groves High School and now is attending Missouri State University, and Madison who is a sophomore at Webster Groves High School.

Please provide a brief summary of your reasons for running.

To maintain consistent and experienced leadership is imperative with the pending legislation that will affect our district. My decision to run for a re-election position is to continue to assist our district in maintaining its high level of student achievement. The success of our students is a direct reflection of the strength of our board. I plan to use my management and organizational skills to help our school district to continue my main objectives to achieve success.

What role do you think the Webster Groves Board of Education should play in the community?

The education of our students is extremely important in building a strong community. My priority is to assist the board in the strategic planning and policy setting processes while preserving financial accountability to the community. Working to fulfill the Webster Groves School Diistrict’s Mission Statement and Vision will accomplish these tasks. The passing of proposition S and W illustrated the value our community places on education. The excellent partnership that exists between our board members, administrators, teachers and parents, is an excellent foundation that provides academic success for our students.

What do you currently see as the biggest issue facing the district?

State Funding, Open Enrollment Issue, and Turner vs. Clayton litigation. The outcome of these issues can have a negative impact on the district's resources.

Assume you win the election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your term on the board?

To ensure that every student is offered the opportunity to develop as an individual and achieve academic success by assisting in the strategic planning and policy process of the district, (as well as) maintaining financial accountability to the community while fulfilling the district’s Mission Statement and Vision.