Schools

Meet the Candidates: Mike MacCormack Seeks Re-Election on Fort Zumwalt Board

Incumber Mike MacCormack is one of four candidates running for four spots on the Board.

Current Fort Zumwalt Mike MacCormack is running to keep his seat on the Fort Zumwalt School Board.

MacCormack is one of four candidates competing for two spots with . 

Gearing up for the election, we'll have profiles on the candidates who responded to our questionnaire. First up, alphabetically, is Mike MacCormack.

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Mike MacCormack: Candidate for Fort Zumwalt School Board

Where do you live?

For the last 15 years I've lived in O'Fallon, near the intersection of Fiese Road and Highway K. I lived in the Spencer Creek area of St. Peters for 10 years before that.

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What is your current job and/or position?
I work at Edward Jones in the Information Systems area.

Why are you running for School Board?
I'm currently on the board and I see some real challenges on the horizon that I believe I can help the district meet.

Relevant Experience:

From 2002 to 2004 Alderman, City of Dardenne Prairie. From 2009 to present Board Member, Fort Zumwalt School District

What do you think you can bring to this position?
I believe my exposure to financial systems and operations, coupled with my background in technology, allows me to contribute to two key areas of district leadership.

Please tell us about one goal you have for this position.
My primary goal is to continue the programs that have earned the district "Distinction Performance" awards and that have resulted in having the district recognized as one of 376 high performing districts nationwide in offering Advanced Placement (AP), or college credit, courses.

This year Fort Zumwalt is close to $4 million under budget. What do you plan on doing to address this issue?
District administrators and previous boards wisely built a budgetary reserve that was meant to be used in times like we are facing today. We are operating out of that reserve, but we will be receiving some budgetary relief as teacher retirements increase in the next several years. Maintaining our high standards while losing those skilled teachers will be key.

It's interesting to note that the $4 million figure you reference is almost exactly the amount the district would have received in the past on interest payments. As we return to a more typical interest rate environment in this country those funds will become available. I am in contact with our state representatives to make sure they are aware of the reliance of school districts, as well as others, on fixed income generation.

Going along with the budget, what areas do you think are important to keep funding? What areas do you think could take a reduction in funding?

It's important to keep our "Parents as Teachers" early childhood education programs,which target children at their critical early development stages. We also need to continue our special education initiatives, especially in the area of addressing autism.

We did reduce our summer school offerings when we went to a 7-hour day in high schools because we didn't need to offer as many credit recovery courses to allow students to meet graduation requirements. I believe it is prudent to continue that reduction for now.

Some districts in the St. Louis area have cut funding for the DARE program.Should this be something Fort Zumwalt considers?
I would not be in favor of reducing the DARE program because it teaches our studentsvaluable life skills at a time in their development in which they are especially vulnerable.

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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.


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