Northwest R-1 School Board Candidates: First of Three Parts

Editor's note: A questionnaire was sent to each of the six candidates for the Northwest R-1  School District Board of Education. Here are the responses from Nelson O. Weber and Retta "Susan" Tuggle.

Candidates are running for three open spots on the school board. Terms last three years. The election is April 5.

NELSON O. WEBER

Age: 72

Address: 1970 Hillsboro Va. Pk. Rd., High Ridge

Occupation: Worked 34 years at Boeing designing spacecraft, missiles, and aircraft. Then self-employed 12 years as consultant engineer. Now retired.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Missouri, Rolla

Family: Weber and his wife, Carol, have three children and four grandchildren (two in college).

Years lived in Northwest District: Lifelong resident of Northwest R-1. Was in the first class to graduate in 1957.

Background/Experience:

• Elected Northwest R-1 school board member - 2004 to 2010.
• Trained in all three of Missouri’s board member certification levels (basic, advanced and masters).
• Appointed to board of directors of Ferguson Roofing Corp. - 2007 to present.
• Volunteer for SCOPE (Science and Citizens Organized for Purpose and Exploration) - 2007 to present.
• Selected by fellow board members to be Northwest R-1 delegate to the Missouri School Boards Association - 2004 to 2010.
• Volunteer for Memories Car Club - 1999 to present – and was president for three years. We put on the largest ‘Car Cruise’ in the Midwest in Fenton area with approximately 500 cars (1979 and older) showing up on the first Friday of the month, April through October.

Reasons for running:

• Put our children first. Improving student achievement in a safe and secure environment is our number one challenge. Never lose focus that our children shall receive a high quality and effective education – ahead of adult desires.
• Continue reducing operating costs due to continually declining income. 

What do you see as the biggest issue facing the Northwest R-1 School District?

Declining federal, state and local revenues.

How would you address the continuing uncertainty over state funding for schools?

Continue to make cost reductions. We will have to “live within our means.” We presently have 80 less employees than three years ago – all by attrition with no layoffs. This reduced cost by $4.4 million.

In what areas does the Northwest R-1 School District need to improve? Are you satisfied with the way the district has been operating?

We need to continue to improve our student achievement scores. This is a continuous challenge.

The district has been acting proactively to keep from “falling off the cliff” by planning ahead with a five-year budget projection. No matter how well any district does, there is always room for more improvement.

Assume you win the election. What single thing do you want to accomplish during your three years on the board?

Put our children first. Improving student achievement is our number one challenge. Never lose focus that our children shall receive a high quality and effective education, ahead of adult desires.

RETTA "SUSAN" TUGGLE

Age: 63

Address: 241 Hideaway Trail, Eureka

Occupation: Golf Course Owner, Family Owned and Operated

Education: Insurance License in Missouri and Illinois; ASM designation; five years Art major.

Family: Danny R. Tuggle, husband; Kim Patterson, daughter; Hayden Patterson, grandson; Julie Tuggle Nguyen, daughter; Gerald Nguyen, son-in-law; Anneliese Nguyen, granddaughter; and Matthew M. R. Tuggle, son.

Years lived in the Northwest District: 23

Background/Experience: I am president of the Northwest Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Library Board for Jefferson County and treasurer for the Northwest R-1 School Board. I am a Rotarian. In June I will become vice-president of the Rotary Club for High Ridge and on the board of the 30 Foundation. 

Reasons for running: I wanted to be on the Northwest R-1 school board for the first time six years ago. I had a son in the district and a daughter who had graduated from Northwest. I wanted to do everything I could to help make my community and school as good as it could be. I always felt that you couldn't complain about anything unless you were willing to help make it better. “Service before self" says it all.