Seven running for three spots on Sikeston R-6 board

SIKESTON -- Voters in the Sikeston R-6 School District will choose three of seven candidates running to fill the three-year terms during Tuesday's election.

Candidates are (in alphabetical order) Kyle Alcorn, Chad Bles, Aaron Boyce, John Graham, Stephanie Poindexter, Leechia Wilder and Onethia Williams.

A Sikeston native, Alcorn and his wife, Amy, have three children: Hayden, 15; Lawson, 14; and Libby, 10. The 44-year-old is a graduate of Sikeston High School and the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned a degree in marketing from the School of Business. He is the vice president of sales and marketing at Vast Broadband.

Bles, 39, is a native of Scott City. He and his wife, Jennifer, have five children: Cana, 12th grade; Jonah, 11th grade; Chloe, seventh grade; Jon Luke, second grade; and Claudia, 3 years old. A graduate of Scott City High School, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Southeast Missouri State University. He has completed work toward a master's degree at Liberty University. He is the lead pastor of Terra Nova Church in Sikeston and the CEO of The Knead in Sikeston. He is a patient care representative for Missouri Delta Hospice.

A Sikeston native, Boyce is 43 years old. He and his wife, Rhea, have three sons, Charlie, 15; Campbell, 7; and Cline, 7. A 1992 graduate of Sikeston High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business in 1996 from Southeast Missouri State University. He is the purchasing and inventory manager for Vast Broadband, which is a cable, internet and phone provider.

Graham, 60, of Sikeston has one son, John Graham; and two granddaughters, Hanna and Emma. A graduate of Sikeston High School, he has 862 hours in circuit design and engineering. He has certifications in business management, computer programming, inventory management, human resources and numerous certifications in the service of business machines and ministry with a focus on missions in the USA and around the world. He also worked as an engineer for IBM Corp, and he owned and managed Graham Business Machines for more than 20 years before retiring. Now he cooks and caters barbecue as "Willy Bill's BBQ."

Born in Memphis, Tenn., Poindexter, 48, moved to Kennett at the age of 10. She lived in Kennett for 19 years and moved to Sikeston in 1998. She and her husband, Heath, have two daughters, Morgan, 17; Georgia, 16; and a son, Heath, 12. A 1987 graduate of Kennett High School graduate, she ranked third in her class of 110 students. She graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Ky., in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and passed the Certified Public Accountant Exam in 1995. She is a controller at Steward Steel Inc. -- Door and Frame Division. She also works part-time as a CPA at Wilfred E. Bucher.

Originally from Evanston, Ill., near Chicago, Wilder, 47, is single and has no children. Her family includes her mother, Ruth Wilder. A 1986 graduate of Sikeston High School, she attended the University of Missouri from 1986-1988 and Harold Washington College in Chicago from 2011-2012. She is employed by Manpower and the City of Sikeston.

A Sikeston native, Williams is married to Jimmy Williams Sr. They have three sons, Davion, Jimmy Jr. and Dontrez; one daughter, Jimela; and a grandson, Davion Jr. She earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and Christian counseling and an Associate of Science in human science. She is the manager at Keidra's Caring Center for Elderly and Disabled Adults.

What are the most important issues in your race, and how do you plan to address them?

Alcorn: "I believe the most important issues in this race are our children, their education, their safety and passage of the school bond. I will focus on ensuring the success of our students, faculty and community. If elected, I will make sure there is an open line of communication with the board, teachers and the community. I will strive to be a good steward of the taxpayers' money and make informed, careful and educated decisions."

Bles: "For me, the most important issue is simply serving with the best interest of our students in mind during every conversation and decision. I'm not running because I have some agenda to tackle a specific issue. I believe that's a very narrow-minded perspective. Our district will face many issues during this future term ... all of which will affect our students. ... Thus, every issue should be important. So, my commitment is to listen and lead in such a way that will always benefit our students, our district and our community."

Boyce: "One important issue that faces our school system is declining enrollment. Sikeston has jobs, parks, retail and medical facilities. We miss out on new residents moving to Sikeston because of our aging educational facilities. In 2015-2016, we had over $40 million worth of new building in Sikeston. None of this was for our school system. I am a strong proponent of building new schools over the next decade. We have fantastic and committed teachers, coaches and administrators. We need newer facilities to make our school system complete. I'd like to compare what the two elementary schools in Focus-school status are doing versus the non-Focus schools and make suggestions based on my findings."

Graham: "Bond issue: I have been researching information the voters need before they vote. They need the full truth -- not opinions. I research everything. I am not a yes man. I will never vote on anything without having researched facts first. I read every word on every page before I cast a vote. Curriculum: Better education leading to better school ratings. I have been reviewing the laws and rules on curriculum. We can get better educated students with better curriculum for our great teachers to use."

Poindexter: "School board members are chosen by the people for the people. The meeting time should be more convenient for working people. Those who attend should be made to feel welcome. A big part of what the district spends is their hard-earned tax dollars. The meetings should begin and end with prayer. I will fight against Common Core and the federal takeover of our education system. I will take an active role in educating myself and the community on why we need to take a stand for our children, our teachers and the future. I want Sikeston schools to be the best school in the area. A better school has nothing to do with the building. It's what's on the inside that matters. Do you drink out of dirty cups at home? The outside of the cup can be shiny and clean, but if spoiled milk or something dead is on the inside, your drink will be ruined. We need to fix the inside before we worry about the outside. Unnecessary spending needs to stop."

Wilder: "My biggest concern is the impact of the Missouri Learning Standards (which use Common Core standards according to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) on students. My plan would be to work with the parents, faculty, curriculum specialists and board on making decisions that have the most positive results for the students."

Williams: "Individuality (Students should be met where they are and not expected to be on the same pace as others): I would recommend programs designed to give extra help. Curriculum that gives all students an opportunity to succeed (my concern is that Eureka/Common Core math is not enough to prepare children for their future). Test scores need to increase; school board meeting time needs to change. My plan would be to conduct a research which includes teachers, parents and students to see how each group feels about these issues. I would encourage the administration to rethink the curriculum adopted, making math more traditional, having programs that provide extra help and encourage a better time for our board meetings. These changes will help increase test scores, give students confidence needed to succeed, give teachers more flexibility to work with the students and parents an opportunity to attend school board meetings. The boost in confidence and individuality will help eliminate behaviors, which should decrease students being sent to alternative school."

What do you bring to the table that your opponents do not?

Alcorn: "Having three school-aged children, a former graduate of SHS and lifelong resident of Sikeston, I have a vested interest in the success of our community, all of our children, our school system and their education. I have served on numerous committees during my business career, managed multimillion-dollar budgets and worked with numerous people from multiple backgrounds. I feel these qualities and my experience make me the best candidate. I would greatly appreciate your support and vote April 4."

Bles: "I have five children, ages 3 to 18, that will ensure that I give my best. I'm a proven community leader that has endeavored to make a positive and lasting impact on our city since the first day I arrived. I have experience serving on large boards and stewarding millions in resources. Having served on boards and working for board-governed organizations, I understand board responsibilities and functions. Finally, I believe I will bring the discipline of valuing people and relationship over issues and positions."

Boyce: "I am a lifelong Sikeston resident with an unwavering love and commitment to the town. I'm invested and want to see Sikeston's youth and schools thrive. I bring an open mind, a school-first attitude and a willingness to work alongside fellow board members. I think there is give-and-take with all boards. It's critical to be able to articulate and express your opinions with conviction. If elected, I believe I can serve the R-6 District well and look forward to doing so."

Graham: "My time, wisdom, knowledge and life experiences that only comes with age. As a father, grandfather and a great-uncle, I have had failures and great successes. I have already raised my son. I am retired without the constraints of raising a family with more than enough time to fulfill this office, and I do not work out of state limiting my available productive time. I remember looking up to my grandfathers (for help in times of need and trouble) for their amazing answers. I am that grandfather to help get Sikeston R-6 on top again, living up to our beloved school song: 'The Red and the Black.'"

Poindexter: "A real view of our district and a real concern for our amazing teachers and children's education. I have 25 years of experience in accounting."

Wilder: "The main thing I can bring to the table that my opponents may not is time. That time can be used to learn the big picture of what Sikeston's children, parents and faculty need without the burden and distraction of personal conflicts and biases."

Williams: "A desire to get back to the core values of educating students, at a place where all students have an opportunity as individuals to succeed and determination to get the job done."

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Online connection:

Facebook: "Committee to Elect Kyle Alcorn"

Facebook: www.facebook.com/chadbles

Facebook: "Elect Aaron Boyce for Sikeston R6 School Board"

Email: johngraham2000@gmail.com

Facebook: "Elect Stephanie Poindexter for Sikeston R6 School Board"

Facebook: "Leechia Wilder 4 School Board"

Facebook: "Elect Onethia Williams for Sikeston R-6 School Board"