Polling locations in Belle will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 2 to determine who will fill seats on the Maries County R-2 Board of Education (BOE). Polling locations include the St. Alexander Church for Maries County Belle and the Belle-Bland Community Center will host an Osage County voting station. Kenda Sanders, board president, is the only declared candidate who filed to retain her seat. Paul Shanks is campaigning as a write-in candidate for the second seat. Both members were given 250 words to introduce themselves to the community.

Sanders:  My name is Kenda Sanders. I’ve lived in Belle my whole life and am proud of that fact. I work for Missouri State Parks as the director of business services. My husband (of 27 years) is a full-time farmer. We have three great kids, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and the most precious grandkids ever!

My family are all graduates or are current students of Maries R-2. My grandkids will attend this school. I want to do everything I can to make the school experience for our students, staff, and community – the best it can be. I’m an active member of this community and fully invested in supporting it.

I am running for re-election because I feel like we’re doing good things, we have great momentum and I’d like to remain a part of the effort.

A project that I would like to see accomplished in the extended future is having all students on one campus. I think it would be a huge benefit for the staff, students, and families of the district.

In conclusion, I am most satisfied with the way the board has worked together. It’s something we’ve done well – we don’t always agree, and we shouldn’t; it can’t always be a 7-0 vote. One of the best decisions we’ve made as a board is hiring Dr. Basham to lead the district, and I wouldn’t change anything about that!

Shanks: Hello, Maries community! My name is Paul Shanks, and its been a privilege to announce my candidacy as a write-in candidate for the Maries County R-2 School Board. First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for giving me this opportunity to introduce myself.

As a proud local community member and an alum of our beloved school district, I am deeply passionate about the future of Maries R-2.  This district has been instrumental in shaping who I am today, providing me with countless opportunities that have propelled me into my current career. The education and experiences I received here have equipped me with a valuable skill set and instilled in me a strong sense of passion and dedication.

I am running for the school board because I believe in giving back to the community that has given me so much. I am committed to leveraging my skills and experiences to contribute positively to the growth and success of our district. I understand the importance of advocating for the needs of students, educators, and families and I am dedicated to ensuring that Maries R-2 continues to thrive.

I believe in open dialogue, collaboration, and transparency, and I am eager to work alongside all the stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities facing our district.

Your consideration and support mean the world to me, and I am excited about the possibility of serving on the Maries R-2 School Board. Let’s work together to create a bright future for our community and our children. Thank you.