April 12, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Get to know Scott Perkins

Scott is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board.


What motivated you to run for school board?

I’ve been a member of the Board of Education for the past eight years and am seeking a third term. I believe everyone has a civic duty to serve their community and public education is the key to success so have chosen to serve the school board which I believe is one of the greatest assets of our community.

What are your short term goals for the district?

My short term goals would focus on educating any newly elected board members on the roles, functions and responsibilities of the board of education.

What are your long term goals?

Long term goals would be to continue building on recent progress in modernizing facilities, attracting and retaining amazing faculty and staff, improving student outcomes, and ensuring the long-term financial viability of our district.

Where would you like to see the district at in ten years?

Our District brought board members, educators and community stakeholders together and conducted a goal setting session just over a year ago with both short and long term goals for the district. I want to see the district evaluate the progress of those goals, continue updating goals and hold itself accountable for reaching and expanding upon district goals.

What Is one thing you would change about the schools in St. Joseph?

I would love to expand options for educational and extracurricular activities so every student has an opportunity to find an activity and take classes that they are passionate about. Bringing back a foreign language class and creating a junior high level FFA are possible examples.

What are the most pressing issues facing the district?

The most pressing issues continue to be the unknown. Uncertainly about state and federal funding, the unknown impacts of the potential TIF district, the rising cost of health benefits for employees are among the greatest financial concerns that will continue to impact our district.

What is the best thing about the school in St. Joseph?

We have top notch students, educators, staff, administrators, and parents. You couldn’t ask for a greater group of people that encompass and support our district. Why should people vote for you? I bring a unique combination of experience as a parent of four girls, a current 5th grader and freshman triplets who just completed all K-8 years within our district, as a college educator, attorney and current board member. The strength of our board comes from having individuals who bring unique qualities that build upon one another and I believe I provide attributes that are an asset to our Board of Education.

How will you make sure you work for the public and are accessible to your constituents?

Our time is the only product we have to provide as a Board Member. I strive to be accessible and am always willing to offer my time and talk whether you run into me at the IGA, while grabbing lunch downtown, before or after a board meeting or at any community function.

Banner
Related Posts

Grindley keeps positive attitude during pandemic

May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic that we are all experiencing, it’s just not high school athletes that are being affected. Lucas...

Senior spotlight… Lindsey Aden

January 2, 2020

January 2, 2020

What are your plans after high school? I hope to attend Stanford University to double major in political science and...

10 things you don’t know about me…Leonard Winchester

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? I don’t have one favorite childhood memory, there were so many experiences. I...

Senior Spotlight… Danie Kelso

August 5, 2019

August 5, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Danie Kelso. What do you...

Get to know Steve Peters

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I have been...

Maxey named to SJO Board of Education

June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020

The St. Joseph-Ogden School Board has a new member. The Board of Educated voted to fill a vacant position with...

Love of the game: Two St. Joseph residents umpire at state softball tournament

June 3, 2019

June 3, 2019

Slipping on wet grass actually helped Karl Black’s first experience working as an umpire at the high school softball state...

10 things you don’t know about me… Kathy McCormick

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

What is your favorite childhood memory? Playing outside with the neighborhood kids – every summer day until dark. What was...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

Donation could change the face of sports and activities at SJO

February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

An anonymous donor has made St. Joseph-Ogden High School an offer they couldn’t refuse. And because of it, SJO athletic...

Hometown appeal: The Wheelhouse earns Business of the Year honors

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

When the Wheelhouse opened in 2017, it was unlike anything in St. Joseph. And still is. The farm-to-table restaurant owned...

5 questions with Republican Caucus candidate Max Painter

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? I had initially planned to retire after this term, but I’ve reconsidered due...

Dukeman shines in classroom and in athletics

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

School comes easy for St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Hannah Dukeman. Dukeman, who plays softball for SJO in addition to...

Get to know Dave Kibler

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Dave is running for St. Joseph Township Trustee. Biographical InformationMy name is Dave Kibler. I have been married to my...

Kids say..

April 27, 2019

April 27, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Comments
Leave a Reply