St. Joseph School board candidate Deborah Schmuck campaigns on transparency, teacher support  

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Deborah Schmuck said she isn’t just a candidate running for the school board. She’s also a grandmother, a former teacher and proud to be from St. Joseph.

Schmuck said one of the things she loves most about St. Joseph is its small-town atmosphere. The decision to run for the school board came from Schmuck's time spent volunteering in local schools.  

“I have heard somethings and I think I might be able to help. I think there needs to be transparency,” Schmuck said.  

She said she doesn’t know every detail about the district’s financial situation, but she is aware that the school district recently came up with a plan to address budget shortfalls.  

According to Schmuck, people in the community have had mixed reactions to that decision, but many were unhappy with how it was handled.  

“Because they weren’t involved in the decision making and I think if there were more people involved in making those decisions then it might have gone a little better,” Schmuck said.  

Schmuck also emphasized the importance of keeping strong teachers and staff in the district. She believes that supporting educators ultimately benefits students.  

With the ongoing changes across the district Schmuck said that many teachers are currently overwhelmed and she believes administrators should work more closely with them to provide support during times of change.  

“They burn out after five years because there is so much to do," Schmuck said. "There could be some scheduling things that could change and enhance more people to come to the district."

Schmuck also believes students who are struggling academically need more funding and additional support to help them catch up.

She added how it’s important for educators and the community to be realistic about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on the education system.  

Another priority, she said, should be the mental health of students.  

“From my teaching experience at the poor areas of Denver, I know that trauma keeps kids from learning so we need to address that in some way,” Schmuck said.  

She also believes smaller class sizes could help students learn more effectively in the classroom.  

While she acknowledged there may not be a lot of data proving that, she said her experience as a teacher showed it can make a difference.  

To improve community involvement in major district decisions, Schmuck suggested creating focus groups that include community members, educators and city leaders to discuss important issues.  

She said she saw a similar approach used during redistricting efforts in Denver. Although the process took time, she said it ultimately worked well.  

Schmuck said one reason she decided to run for the school board is because she sees herself as a mediator who can help bring people together.  

“I can see both sides on an issue pretty easily and I am thinking that I might be helpful which is what I wanna be— helpful,” Schmuck said.  

There are two open seats on the school board and voters will decide on those seats on April 7.