Gregg Steven Sartorius
Non-Partisan | Missouri
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Gregg Steven Sartorius
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2023
Election
School Board
Race
Fort Zumwalt School District R-II Board of Education – At Large
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Ed.D., 1996
St. Louis University, St. Louis, Sp.Ed., 1994
Maryville University, St. Louis, M.A. in Education, 1991
University of Missouri, St. Louis, B.A. in Education, 1988
University of Missouri, Springfield, B.F.A. in Graphic Design, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
Fort Zumwalt School District, School Administrator, 2000-2016
Rockwood School District, School Administrator, 1996-2000
Hazelwood School District, Teacher, 1988-1996
Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Missouri, Adjunct Professor, 2001-2020
AFFILIATIONS
Missouri & St. Charles County Municipal Leagues, Member, 2020-present, Served on Fort Zumwalt School District’s Community Input Committee
2021-present, Member of the Board of Directors, MU Extension, St. Charles County, 2022-present
Member of the Sons of the American Revolution, St. Charles Chapter, 2022-present, Chairman of the Board of Directors for “The Discovery Expedition of St. Charles"
2003-2006, Chairman of the Millennium Commission, City of St. Peters, 1999-2000
Chairman of the St. Peters Cultural Arts Advisory Board, 1996-1999, Missouri Principal's Leadership Academy
1996, received scholarship to Harvard University Principal's Academy, Eagle Scout, Bot Scouts of America/God & Country Award, 1974-present
NAESP, MAESP, SLSEPA, ASCD, Member of each. Retired
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Alderman, City of St. Peters, Missouri, 2020-present
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Fort Zumwalt School District Board of Education Candidate, 2022
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Ft. Zumwalt Education Association
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Fort Zumwalt National Education Association (FZNEA)
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
OTHER INFORMATION
Voter Record received from St. Charles County Election Authority indicate's Gregg Steven Sartorius's Voting History during time of residence in district and/or at current address is as follows:
- Voted in five Primary elections 2013 - 2022
- Voted in 2016 Presidential Primary election
- Voted in five General elections 2013 - 2022
- Voted in nine Municipal General elections 2013 - 2022
**Voter history is not considered during panel evaluations.**
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Disagree
This issue is one that should be addressed by the parents with their child. Most schools already provide educational instruction on student health and services. They should not be suggesting one option over another.
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Neutral
I tend to agree with this statement except in the case that the mother's life is in jeopardy or other unusual circumstances have occurred.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
This is what our country was founded on.
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Agree
Often times our legislators introduce bills that could defund already stressed educational systems. Lobbying is necessary to let these legislators know the impact of their efforts and how it will hurt the schools and other essential services in the community.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
I believe that the State Foundation Formula works to some degree when it is fully funded. In the case of IDEA mandated by the Federal Government, they have never fully funded the mandate and this is a challenge for most school districts. As for beyond grade 12, there are opportunities for funding through scholarships, grants, student loans, etc. Unfortunately since the Federal government has taken over the student loan programs, tuitions and costs have skyrocketed leaving students in debt.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Agree
Unfortunately, prayer has been removed from schools, and in many cases the Pledge of Allegiance. There are fewer opportunities to learn about religion in schools. In the City I serve as alderman we have an invocation to open every Board meeting, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Our dias has "In God We Trust" front and center. Teachers, staff and students currently can meet to pray or read the Bible, but not during the school day.
School districts should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Neutral
All individuals, organizations and businesses can rent space outside of school hours for meetings according to the facility use policies. As for contracting businesses or companies to do work for the district, these should not be determining factors in the bidding process. Students learn best when they are in a safe environment, feel accepted and are loved for who they are. Student learning is our business and this is the premise for providing effective academic education for all.
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
To hire a superintendent of schools and approve the hiring of the staff, to oversee the district finances and to set policies that improve the educational programming and opportunities for ALL students to reach their potential.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
The superintendent or his/her designee should research and identify the curriculum based on state and federal guidelines and parental/community input. Once identified and approved, then a committee should be established to identify the resources sufficient to support the approved curriculum.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Never. Parents have a right to voice their opinions, bring facts and data to share, and explain their concerns. However, in most cases there is a reasonable time limit to public comment to ensure that there are opportunities for all to share.
Please list in order the following priorities in relation to the role of a K-12 public school (omitting any that do not apply): Mathematics, Information Technology, Science, Political Activism, Personal Finances, Gender Identity, Physical Fitness, American History, Critical Race Theory, Language Arts, Art & Music, Vocational Learning, Sexuality, Foreign Language, Social Emotional Learning
Math, Language Arts, Personal Finances, American History, Science, Information Technology, Physical Fitness, Art & Music, Vocational Learning, Foreign Language, Social/Emotional Learning
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
Liberty and Equality
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
All children, and people, learn differently and at different rates. Equity is provided by differentiating instruction to meet the needs of individuals at where they are in the learning process and how they learn best. Some are more analytical, others learn best by hands-on activities. Equity is providing the appropriate manner for students to learn based on the learning styles.
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to "opt-in" for these.
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
Parents are the ultimate authority in their child’s education and should be able to freely pursue whatever educational options they deem best for their child.
Agree
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Agree
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
No
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Agree
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a devout Christian that was baptized as an infant, raised in a Protestant, United Church of Christ church. I took my children to church when they were young. They were baptized, received first communion, were confirmed, and then it was up to them. I truly believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and I work to be more like Jesus everyday. All people have the right to believe what they want and who am I to judge them. I just know I have found salvation through Jesus.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Disagree
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Agree
Therapy to help children turn from unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria should be banned.
Agree
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Strongly Agree
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Students should be provided sexual education beginning in the upper elementary grades, but with limited instruction, separated and with parental opt-in. Many schools have a parent night to educate the parents on what is presented so they can choose their child's option. In middle school (6-8) students could have a little more detailed sex education lessons, of course, "opt-in" from parents as well. By high school it again can be a little more detailed, and continue to have parents opt-in. The very detailed explanations and conversations should be held between the parent and child.
If you support the teaching of Sex Ed, please answer the following question: Sexual education should include these topics (list all that apply and add your own, if needed) -- Physical and emotional health outcomes; contraceptive methods; consent; abstinence; sexual orientation and gender identity; human anatomy/the reproductive system; abortion methods and side effects; stages of pregnancy and fetal development; sex acts and pleasures of sex
Human anatomy/the reproductive system, Physical and emotional health outcomes, consent/non-consent, abstinence, stages of pregnancy and fetal development, contraceptive methods (All at appropriate ages).
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Neutral
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
NO
A candidate's personal moral values are relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Agree
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Lean Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
As mentioned previously, our City has "In God We Trust" in the Boardroom and we have an invocation and say the Pledge of Allegiance prior to every Board meeting. I believe this alone states that I lean more to the Conservative side.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Schools are institutions to provide all students an opportunity to learn and grow into productive members of society. All students require basic academic knowledge to learn and grow. a good foundation will help children to make appropriate choices as they age and gain life experiences. Resiliency is a key concept that enables people to overcome adversity, learn from their mistakes and grow into production contributors to society.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never
I support mask mandates.
Disagree
Through the recent pandemic, evidence has shown that they are not effective in reducing exposure.
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Agree
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Neutral
