<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616706248916.jpeg" alt="St. Joseph school board candidates appear via Zoom on the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce forum." />
 <figcaption>St. Joseph school board candidates appear via Zoom on the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce forum.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostEight candidates for the St. Joseph school board differ in
their assessment of the school board’s proposal to buy the American Family
Insurance headquarters and turn it into a second high school.School board Vice President Lute Atieh says retrofitting that
building saves time and money.“I prefer to start with a structure,” Atieh says. “I’ve been
in the facility. I’ve spoken to the engineers. I’ve looked at it. American
Family did a great job maintaining that facility. It’s first class.”Voters will choose three candidates from the field of eight
April 6th.All eight discussed issues, primarily the $107 million bond
issue also on the April 6th ballot, during a candidate forum webcast
by the S<a href="https://www.facebook.com/saintjosephchamber">t. Joseph Chamber of Commerce on its Facebook page</a>.The proposal calls for a dramatic shakeup of the St. Joseph
School District. It would provide the school district the money to buy the
American Family building across from Missouri Western State University and
convert it into a second high school. The district would retain Central High
School and convert Benton High School and Lafayette High School into middle
schools.Investor David Foster favors the proposal, because it would
allow the high schools to offer equal curriculum.“And that’s what’s most important to me,” Foster says. “I want
equal education, equal opportunity and as long as we can accomplish that then I’ll
be a happy guy.”Opposed to converting the American Family headquarters is
Kenneth Reeder, a longtime community activist.“Buying old, used buildings does not improve our education,”
Reeder asserts. “We’re talking about new, shiny buildings, not about the
education, not what’s in the classroom.”LaTonya Williams owns a photography studio downtown and works at
the Bartlett Center. She says the location is not ideal, forcing some long bus
rides.“Kids are not able to walk there,” Williams says. “Everyone
would need transportation. And so, as a Mom, I’m looking about the travel to
the building.”Incumbent school board member Larry Koch supports the proposal,
calling it the best alternative.“Long term, it is a very good option, a very good opportunity
for St. Joe, unlike any that I’ve seen in the past,” according to Koch.The location of the American Family building concerns Colby
Oyerly.“The amount of money that is going into that school compared
to what is going into the other ones, it just doesn’t sit for me,” Oyerly
states.Disagreeing is incumbent Richard Gehring, who says the plan
will put St. Joseph high school students on equal footing.“The building itself may be a little bit newer, but in the
end, if we get two high schools that offer equal academic, extra curriculars,
athletics, I am always going to be all for that,” Gehring says.Retired educator David Jordan also says it is important to
realign the high schools to offer the same programs.“Having similar offerings for all of our students; to me what
goes on inside that building is more important than what the actual building
looks like,” Jordan says.St. Joseph voters will choose three for three-year terms on
the school board.

Eight candidates address St. Joseph school bond program during forum