Matt Ehlen
Non-Partisan | Missouri
Candidate Profile*
Insufficient Information
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matt Ehlen
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2023
Election
School Board
Race
Parkway Schools Board of Education – At Large
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, BS, 2000
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
OTHER INFORMATION
**Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only**
Know Your Parkway Board of Education Q&A with Matt Ehlen - questions 1 - 12 (3/18/2023)
**Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only.**
**Please note: This information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only**
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Strongly Disagree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
In my eyes, the school is basically owned by the tax payers. They are the ones with the say.
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
In my eyes, the school is basically owned by the tax payers. They are the ones with the say.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
I understand that some school districts need the money from the state but the district I am in is lucky enough to not have to be funded by the state.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
I understand that some school districts need the money from the state but the district I am in is lucky enough to not have to be funded by the state.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Strongly Agree
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.
Strongly Agree
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.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
The function of the local school board is to make policy for the school and make sure the superintendent is following those policies.
What is the function of the local school board?
The function of the local school board is to make policy for the school and make sure the superintendent is following those policies.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
When you boil it down, the parents of the children should have the last say in my opinion. I would be good if the curriculum was developed by others but then the parents should have the right to approve it or turn it down.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
When you boil it down, the parents of the children should have the last say in my opinion. I would be good if the curriculum was developed by others but then the parents should have the right to approve it or turn it down.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
As long as it is in an orderly fashion, never.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
As long as it is in an orderly fashion, never.
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
Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Real American History, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Information Technology, Vocational Learning, Art and Music, and Foreign Language.
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
Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Real American History, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, Information Technology, Vocational Learning, Art and Music, and Foreign Language.
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
It was founded on Liberty and Equality but it is still a work in progress
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
It was founded on Liberty and Equality but it is still a work in progress
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
I have thought over this question and have asked several teachers and it is my understanding that equity is meeting each student where they are at and providing them the resources to bring them up to proficiency. It sounds like a good plan to me but logistically it seems like it would be almost impossible. To me is seems like an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each student which is a drain on the teacher especially if they have 15 to 20 kids in their class. It would be a lot of work on the teacher in my eyes and nothing would get done.
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
I have thought over this question and have asked several teachers and it is my understanding that equity is meeting each student where they are at and providing them the resources to bring them up to proficiency. It sounds like a good plan to me but logistically it seems like it would be almost impossible. To me is seems like an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for each student which is a drain on the teacher especially if they have 15 to 20 kids in their class. It would be a lot of work on the teacher in my eyes and nothing would get done.
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Agree
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Agree
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Strongly Agree
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.
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.
Strongly Agree
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Strongly Agree
School boards are accountable to parents and taxpayers.
Strongly Agree
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
No
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.
Strongly Agree
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus and the only way to get to heaven is through Christ. I believe in strong family values and the parents are in charge, not the children.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in God, the Holy Spirit and Jesus and the only way to get to heaven is through Christ. I believe in strong family values and the parents are in charge, not the children.
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
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.
Strongly Agree
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Strongly Agree
Therapy to help children turn from unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria should be banned.
Neutral
The reason I am neutral is because I believe it shouldn't be in school at all. That should be handled outside of school.
Therapy to help children turn from unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria should be banned.
Neutral
The reason I am neutral is because I believe it shouldn't be in school at all. That should be handled outside of school.
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
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?
It should be up to the parents on both of the questions.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
It should be up to the parents on both of the questions.
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
Did not answer
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
Did not answer
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly 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.
NA
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
NA
A candidate's personal moral values are relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Strongly Agree
A candidate's personal moral values are relevant when considering a candidacy for elective office.
Strongly 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?
Very Conservative
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
League of Women Voters Forum for Parkway School District. https://www.youtube.com/live/dr2Rqf1j1LE?feature=share St. Louis County Family Association forum. https://www.stl-family.org/parkway
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
League of Women Voters Forum for Parkway School District. https://www.youtube.com/live/dr2Rqf1j1LE?feature=share St. Louis County Family Association forum. https://www.stl-family.org/parkway
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Did not answer
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Agree
But only if they receive thorough and extensive on going training.
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Agree
But only if they receive thorough and extensive on going training.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
None in my opinion
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
None in my opinion
I support mask mandates.
Disagree
I support mask mandates.
Disagree
All official open meetings should be live streamed, recorded, and have transcripts available online for public access.
Agree
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.
Agree
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Agree
