March 9, 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

Voting information for Consolidated Elections

March 29, 2019

March 29, 2019

You can early vote Saturday, Sunday and Monday at these locations. Brookens Early Voting 1776 East Washington Street, Urbana •...

SJO Civics class helps those in need

January 15, 2020

January 15, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden Senior Lindsey Aden wanted to help the community so when teacher Marshall Schacht and School Resource Officer Shawn...

Homecoming court senior spotlight… Ross Booker

September 26, 2019

September 26, 2019

On Saturday, Ross Booker could be named Homecoming King. Booker is one of two candidates for king. “I think it’s...

Why is it important to keep your blood pressure under control?

April 9, 2021

April 9, 2021

By: Christie Clinic Department of Family Medicine What are some signs of high blood pressure and why is it important to...

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

Kidd hopes to ‘Gather the Good’ on blog

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

Nancy Kidd knows there is good in all people. The St. Joseph resident said that as a former juvenile detention...

St. Joseph Automotive looks to pay it forward with coat drive

December 18, 2019

December 18, 2019

Casey Phillips recognized there was a need in St. Joseph and she wanted to do something about it. The co-owner...

‘Once a spartan, always a spartan’ by Katelyn Berry

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

When I pictured giving a speech at my high school graduation, this isn’t exactly what came to mind. I imagined...

‘We are here to stay’

September 19, 2019

September 19, 2019

AJ’s Station is here to stay. Owner Anthony Laubscher said he wanted to let the St. Joseph community know, that...

‘There is no one more deserving of this honor’

June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020

Glenn Fisher loves St. Joseph-Ogden High School. For decades, Fisher’s main concern was that the facilities and sports fields at...

10 things you don’t know about me… Rylee Sjuts

May 15, 2019

May 15, 2019

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden’s Senior Class President and graduation speaker Rylee Sjuts to tell us 10 things we didn’t know...

10 things you don’t know about me… Todd Jacob

October 2, 2019

October 2, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 interesting facts about themselves. This week we spoke to State...

‘He was one of a kind that can never be replaced’

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

Gerald McClendon always wanted to help people. His Facebook page even said, “I enjoy helping as many people as I...

10 things you don’t know about me …BRANDI CARMIEN BURNETT

September 23, 2022

September 23, 2022

BRANDI CARMIEN BURNETT will be inducted into the SJO Hall of Fame tonight during halftime of the Homecoming Football game....

St. Joseph youth Dalton revs it up at motocross nationals

July 29, 2019

July 29, 2019

This week, Tristan Dalton is trying to become a national champion. The 11-year-old St. Joseph resident is competing at the...

Comments
Leave a Reply