Three candidates are challenging two incumbents seeking re-election to two seats on the Mehlville Board of Education in the April 7 election.

William Klemm, Linda Mooy and Gary “Brit” Rose will square off against current board President Tom Diehl and board Vice President Micheal Ocello for the two seats that carry three-year terms.

This article will focus on Diehl, Klemm and Mooy. Rose and Ocello will be featured next week.

Asked to identify the most important issue in the race, the three candidates responded:

• “I am committed to implementing the recommendations derived from the COMPASS (Charting the Oakville-Mehlville Path to Advance Successful Schools) community-engagement process, especially relating to community outreach, academic improvement and providing a safe learning environment for our children,” Diehl said.

• “Continued financial stability in the district,” Klemm said.

• “Fiscal responsibility and accountability is the most important issue since the current board continues to make questionable financial decisions,” Mooy said.

Diehl, 52, 5826 White Pine Drive, 63129, is a self-employed fund-raising consultant. He and his wife, Barbi, have a son who attends middle school.

Diehl was elected to the Board of Education in 2006 and has served as board president the past two years. He is seeking a second term because “I want to continue moving the district forward so that we can become a high-performing school district. I also believe we need to maintain the trust of the Mehlville community.”

Klemm, 49, 2917 Gladwood Drive, 63129, is controller for Surgical Synergies Inc. He and his wife, Lisa, have a daughter who attends high school.

Klemm, who has not held public office, said he is seeking election to “ensure the continued success of the students in the Mehlville School District.”

Mooy, 58, 2225 Rainbow Drive, 63125, is a retired budget officer for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Department of Defense. She has two grown children.

Mooy, who has not held elective office, ran unsuccessfully last year for the Mehlville school board. She did not give a reason why she is seeking election to the board.

The three candidates gave the following responses to a Call questionnaire:

How did you vote in the November election on the school district’s tax-transfer ballot measure Proposition T? Why?

Diehl said, “I voted ‘yes.’ Our district needed this funding to maintain our academic programs at their current level. The last operating levy passed by the district was in 1998.”

Klemm said, “I voted in favor. It is a fix for the current financial issues. This gives the district more time to continue to analyze and improve.”

Mooy said, “I voted ‘no’ since a ‘yes’ vote meant district residents would end up paying more taxes due to the time extension to repay the debt. I am very disappointed the current school board deceived the public into thinking this would not affect their pocketbook.”

Do you believe the Board of Education has faithfully adhered to the letter of the Missouri Open Meetings and Records Law, also called the Sunshine Law? What would you do as a board member to ensure the board’s compliance with this law?

Diehl said, “Yes. I am committed to complying with the Sunshine Law even when it may involve unpleasant news. We strive to be completely transparent so the public can trust the decisions the board and superintendent make. I believe we have lived up to the promise I made when I first ran on a pledge to be transparent.”

Klemm said, “To the best of my knowledge, they have adhered to the law.”

Mooy said, “Neither the school board or administration has adhered to the Sunshine Law. I would learn as much as possible about the Sunshine Law to ensure my adherence to it. If a questionable issue arises, I would seek advice from reliable sources.”

Do you believe that teachers’ pay should be based on merit?

Diehl said, “First of all, we have to pay our teachers a more competitive salary. It costs our district thousands of dollars when we have to hire and train new teachers every year.

“We also get passed over by the best college prospects when they can start at $3,000 a year more in Lindbergh. Once we have the resources to be competitive, I am not opposed to some form of merit pay that would be developed with input from the teachers and community. Denver’s public school system has developed a model that receives a lot of praise.”

Klemm said, “A pay structure with incentives could bring innovation and excitement to the classroom.”

Mooy said, “Considering teachers teach different subjects to a varying group of kids, I don’t see how ‘merit’ could honestly be determined.”

If elected, what changes will you work for as a Board of Education member?

Diehl said, “I believe we have made many positive changes in the past three years. We need to stabilize our financial situation so we can implement the COMPASS proposals and improve academic performance.

“We need to develop a more rigorous curriculum that prepares our kids for 21st century challenges. As a board member, I believe it is important to be an advocate for our children.”

Klemm said, “In discussions with some teachers and through my daughter’s experience, I would make sure that the classroom is not the first place cuts are made when necessary. The schools need adequate supplies.”

Mooy did not respond to the question.

Have you ever applied for a job with the Mehlville School District? If yes, how many times?

Diehl said, “No.”

Klemm said, “No.”

Mooy did not respond to the question.

What would you propose to improve student achievement?

Diehl did not respond to the question.

Klemm said, “Maintaining the current classroom sizes and making sure the classrooms are adequately supplied.”

Mooy did not respond to the question.

When do you believe it would be appropriate for the district to pursue a tax-rate increase for the first phase of COMPASS recommendations?

Diehl said, “Our board has been following the recommendations of the COMPASS participants regarding when to proceed. I’m sure if the economy were better, those residents would ask the board to place the issue on the ballot sooner rather than later.

“Regardless of the economic situation, however, I believe the recommendations are necessary to improve our schools. The voters will determine whether or not they want better schools in our community.”

Klemm said, “With the current economic struggles, a tax-rate increase is not reasonable until things get better. The district also needs to continue to show continued improvement to get the community behind an increase.”

Mooy said, “Never as the whole process was a scam to lead the public into thinking we need numerous tax increases.”

Do you believe Superintendent Terry Noble and his administration are doing a good job?

Diehl said, “I believe Terry Noble is doing an outstanding job. He has done phenomenal work in laying out a vision of where we need to take our schools to become a high performing district. Teachers and parents trust him. He is always out in public selling people on our Mehlville schools.

“Terry has rebuilt his administrative team with highly competent people who know their jobs and who work hard to meet his high standards. He sets measurable goals and he expects results.”

Klemm said, “I believe that Terry and the administration have done a good job reconnecting with the community and facing the tough decisions.”

Mooy did not respond to the question.

What is your vision for the Mehlville School District?

Diehl said, “I believe the district has made great strides in the past three years. Staff morale is at an all-time high. The district has received Distinction in Performance three years in a row. Individuals who put their own self-interest ahead of the district’s are no longer employed. We have been more open and transparent in our decision making processes. This needs to continue.

“We have adopted numerous changes in financial accounting procedures to protect the taxpayers and re-established the financial advisory board. Looking forward, we still need to improve the district’s financial picture to implement the COMPASS recommendations to make our district a high performing district.”

Klemm said, “Make the district one of the top academic districts in the area.”

Mooy did not respond to the question.