On April 8, voters in Fort Zumwalt School District will choose two members for the Board of Education. There are four candidates running for a three-year term. Voters will vote for TWO. Candidates are listed in order they will appear on the ballot. All information below provided by the candidate.
Arnie C. AC “Arn” Dienoff
John Christopher
Education: 1980 graduate of Fort Zumwalt High School, Bachelor of Science degree from Southeast Missouri State University, Master’s degree in Educational Administration from University of Missouri St. Louis and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Lindenwood University.
Children in district: four who are alum
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: Past member of Fort Zumwalt School District NEA and building representative. Fort Zumwalt North High School Hall of Fame Committee member.
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: I have lived and worked in the Fort Zumwalt community for over 50 years. As a student, teacher, coach, high school administrator, and parent in the Fort Zumwalt School District, I feel I can bring a varied and unique set of qualifications and perspective to the position.
Having lived in the St. Peters and O’Fallon communities since 1968, I have witnessed the evolution of the Fort Zumwalt School District since its early years. The Fort Zumwalt School District and the past Boards of Education have done an outstanding job of taking Fort Zumwalt from a small, rural school district to one of the largest, award winning school districts in the state. I have a strong desire to serve on the Board of Education again, in order to assist the Fort Zumwalt School District to continue to be recognized as one of the top school districts in the state of Missouri and on a National level. Serving on the Fort Zumwalt Board of Education for the last three years has been a great opportunity to give back to the school district and to the communities that have given so much to me over the years. I would love the honor of serving Fort Zumwalt for another three year term.
Jeff Marion
Education: Doctorate in Education, SLU; Masters in Educational Leadership, Lindenwood University; Bachelor of Education, University of Missouri - Columbia
Children in district: three who are alum
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: Care to Learn, former member Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Club of St. Charles County; Optimist Club of St. Charles
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: The challenges facing public education are more daunting than ever. As the governing body of the district, it is the Board of Education’s responsibility to take great care to fully understand all issues from a variety of perspectives. With my 29 years as a public-school teacher and administrator, I believe my knowledge and experience can contribute to sound analysis of issues and lead to decisions that satisfy the shared interests and goals of a diverse population.
Tanya L. Roth
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Arts in History, University of Missouri-Columbia; Master of Arts in History, Washington University in St. Louis; PhD in History; Washington University in St. Louis
Children in district: One in middle school
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE); American Historical Association
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: My son started Kindergarten at Mid Rivers Elementary in 2018, and from the beginning, my husband and I found a community of excellent, supportive teachers and administrators. We have been grateful for their expertise, their care, and the ways they have challenged our son to grow and succeed. In spring 2021, I was elected as President-Elect to the PTO at Mid Rivers. I spent one year as President-Elect from 2021-2022, which gave me so much insight into the school, the faculty, and the families there. From 2022 to 2024, I completed my two-year term as President of the PTO. Being involved was a way to give back to the school and its community. Now, I want to give back to the community as a member of the Fort Zumwalt School Board. I want to help further the district's mission, which we have seen lived out in our son's educational experiences. Professionally, I have spent a decade and a half in education, which also means I have relevant background to help understand curriculum and instruction needs. Additionally, I have been an active participant in online district and school community groups, which has helped me understand a little bit of what families need, worry about, and hope to see in their district. As a school board member, I want to continue to listen to family and faculty voices in the district as a whole. I am excited about the prospect of joining the board as the district transitions to leadership under the new superintendent, Dr. Henry St. Pierre.