Schools

Meet the Candidates: Jim Pepper Seeks Election to Fort Zumwalt School Board

Pepper is one of four candidates running for two spots on the board.

Jim Pepper is one of four candidates competing for two spots with on the .

Gearing up for the April 3 election, we'll have Q&A's from the candidates who responded to our email questionnaire. The answers are run in alphabetical order.

To see previous candidate Q&A's, click here.

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Jim Pepper: Candidate for Fort Zumwalt School Board

Where do you live?

Hutchings Farm subdivision in O'Fallon

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What is your current job and/or position?

Retired. Currently Ward 2 City Councilman in O'Fallon

Why are you running for School Board?

Time for me to give back to the community

Relevant Experience:

Former Councilman in Normandy, Current Councilman in O'Fallon, 30+ years with Xerox, last 10 in management.

What do you think you can bring to this position?

Fiscal responsibility.

Please tell us about one goal you have for this position.

Increased focus on the STEM initiative.

This year Fort Zumwalt is close to $4 million under budget. What do you plan on doing to address this issue?

Line item scrutinity of expenses, The money doesn't belong to the school district, it belongs to the residents and their children.

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?

Anything that supports STEM.

Some districts in the St. Louis area have cut funding for the DARE program. Should this be something Fort Zumwalt considers?

Absolutely NOT, this is a very effective program and has shown positive results where some other Federal programs have not. I am very impressed with the kids and DARE officers when they present at our council meetings.

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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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