Wentzville School Board Candidate: Saundra "Sandy" Garber

Name: Saundra "Sandy" Garber

Contact information:  sandygarber@centurytel.net

Personal information: Age, 66. Lake St. Louis resident for 35 years.

Family: Two children, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. My own children attended , one grandson graduated two years ago from Holt and I currently have one grandaughter in .

Occupation: Realtor since 1998 with Prudential Alliance, Realtors office in Wentzville. Recipient of the "Five Star Best in Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agent" for 2008, 2011 and 2012, given by St. Louis Magazine

Previous elected offices: Republican Central Committteewoman for Lake Saint Louis

What will be your single most important priority if you are elected? I will demand the fiscal responsibility and the proper stewardship needed for the taxpayers of the district. Our schools should not have the need to rely on government funding and stimulus money with "strings attached" or implement ballot initiatives for tax increases for Wentzville School District citizens, as was done last year, at a time in the economic downturn in our district with job losses and home foreclosures already high and rising. I would attempt to do an investigation and review into the current school board policies under the Missouri Law and guidelines and improve them, if need be, to remove any waste and inefficiency. When any school board purchases land for new school construction, spends more than what is "fair market value" and then publically brags about not having an appraisal done . . . it's time for those who approved such disastrous financial behavior on the board to go!

What sets you apart from other candidates? As a US and Missouri citizen and under the Constitution of the United States, I am not only eligible, but I am qualified for this office. I am a citizen who is extremely concerned about the education system in all of America for our future leaders. I believe in local control of our school boards and in fiscal accountability and responsibility as they "spend" the hard earned tax dollars from all of the taxpayers. I am a resident and home owner of 35 years in lake Saint Louis and as a Realtor, have been involved with the growth of our communities in St. Charles County since 1998. I have experienced rising taxes and seen student drop out rates go up while the national and global test scores and academic abilities of our students go down. I know that decisions made at the school board levels affect our Missouri budget that currently is in a very large deficit and must be brought under control. I am a conservative who will bring my business experience and conservative principles and values to the table fo all Wentzville School District residents.