Wainz Aims to Continue School Board Progress

Mike Wainz has been talking for most of his life, working in radio for more than 15 years before becoming a stay-at-home dad and Mehlville school board candidate. In April, voters will choose two of four candidates to serve a three-year term. 

Born in Texas, his family moved to Arnold, where he graduated from Fox in 1986. His wife Laura is a Mehlville graduate of 1987. The two met while working in the food court at the .

Wainz attended Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville for broadcast journalism, and joined the Air Force Reserves to help pay for college.

Just 10 days after their marriage in 1990, Wainz was called to duty and served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq during the Gulf War as part of the Air Force Reserves.

Upon returning from service, Wainz finished his broadcast degree through the Broadcast Center. He worked for 15 years in the radio business, living in Colorado, Joplin, Carbondale and Cape Girardeau.

The family was living in Joplin when their two children were diagnosed with autism. 

“We moved out here to get better schools for the kids,” Wainz said. “We started out at Fox, and then came to Mehlville to get the ABA program (Applied Behavior Analysis).”

They moved to the district in August of 2000 and now have three children.

Their oldest child, Jacquelynn, is 20 and is part of the vocational schools program with the Special School District. Oakville High School senior Ian, 19, attends a modified classroom because of his autism and Karli is a fifth-grader at Blades Elementary School.

Wainz has been a stay-at-home dad for the last 4 years, taking care of his two oldest children. His wife works as a statistician at Webster University.

Making sure an emphasis stays on children is his main motivation for school board candidacy, Wainz said.

“I have an understanding of the education system works with schools and IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) and other meetings especially with my older two… now that they’re getting out of the system, I’ll have a little more time to devote to the board,” he said.

If elected, serving on the board would be the candidate’s first district involvement.

Wainz said he supports the current board’s decisions, especially building on the campus of Mehlville High School and their stance on , both without asking for a tax increase.

“I didn’t support Proposition C. I didn’t vote for it, was against it, but that’s not to say that I don’t think there could be a bond issue or tax levy, a lesser one that would be needed to keep everything moving forward with the district,” he said. “In hindsight now, full day kindergarten and auditoriums were on the ballot then, they found a way to make that work. They could have done a little bit better job of editing themselves before they brought it to a ballot initiative.”

The fail of the 88-cent tax increase hurt the district’s reputation, but Wainz said he feels hopeful for change with Superintendent Eric Knost’s .

“I think that (Prop C) brought out a lot of concerned folks that otherwise wouldn’t have been that concerned. That kind of put the district under a microscope,” he said.

Despite not supporting Prop C, Wainz of the Mehlville National Education Association (NEA).

“He had done a lot of research, it amazed me with the amount of information that he came with. That’s the thing he impressed us with the most,” said Greg Ruzicka, who heads the NEA’s committee in selecting the candidates for endorsement.

Wainz said he’s spoken to three board members and various principals and parents throughout the district.

Through his research, Wainz said the biggest question facing the district is state funding, however, he feels the district has prepared for whatever may come.

“I know a lot of the stuff that’s been holding the district back the last couple of years has kind of flipped. Like with Lindbergh having a million dollar shortfall, it’s not the case with us. We’re actually getting to do something,” he said.

In speaking to parents, Wainz said he met with several teachers that were parents in the district, but work in different districts because of Mehlville’s lower pay scale.

“They go to work somewhere else because the pay is better. I think that’s something that needs to be addressed. I’m not a flag-bearer for the union or anything, but that being said, they should be compensated,” Wainz said. “Better test scores, better pay.”

Despite his experience with the Special School District, Wainz was clear in saying he is not running to garner any special treatment for the program, but rather would bring a different expertise and insight to the board.

“I’m easy to get along with, I’m very approachable. I am a parent. I’m going to what’s best for the kids, but I’m also a taxpayer so you’ve got to keep everything in check,” he said.