David Biesenthal
Non-Partisan | Missouri
Candidate Profile*
Leans Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
David Biesenthal
Party
Non-Partisan
Election Year
2023
Election
School Board
Race
Wentzville School District Board of Education – At Large
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Masters of Arts in Teaching, 2010
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, 2004
WORK & MILITARY
N/A
AFFILIATIONS
Morning Star Church, member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
N/A
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
N/A
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (3)
Tri-County Labor Club - MO
Missouri NEA
*Campaign for Our Shared Future Action Fund
OTHER (1)
St. Charles County Families For Public Schools
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)
Tri-County Labor Legislative Club
Missouri National Education Association
St. Charles County Families for Public Schools
Missouri Equity Education Partnership
SELECTED FINANCIAL SOURCE DOCUMENTS
- Please note: The following information was received by iVoterGuide after panel evaluations occurred and is for additional educational purposes only
- Statement of Committee Organization (scanned 1/9/2023)
- 40 Day Before General Municipal Election-4/4/2023 (filed 2/22/2023)
- 8 Day Before General Municipal Election-4/4/2023 (filed 03/37/2023)
- $1,000 contribution from St. Charles County Families for Public Schools
- $1,000 contribution from Missouri NEA - PAC
- $400 contribution from St. Charles County Democratic Central Committee
- $250 contribution from Missouri NEA - PAC
- $250 contribution from Tri-County Labor Legislative Club
- $1,000 contribution from Mid-American Carpenters Regional Council - MO-KS Area PAC
- $200 contribution from St. Charles County Democratic Central Committee
- $250 contribution from Missouri - NEA - PAC
- $400 contribution from St. Charles County Democratic Central Committee
OTHER INFORMATION
Voter Record received from St. Charles County Election Authority indicate's David Alan Biesenthal's Voting History during time of residence in district and/or at current address is as follows:
- Voted in five Primary elections 2012 - 2022
- Voted in two Presidential Primary elections 2012 - 2022
- Voted in six General elections 2012 - 2022
- Voted in seven Municipal General elections 2012 - 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.
Choose not to answer
BOEs and district administrators should evaluate and decide together which health care providers are allowed to serve as resources for instruction or services in schools. Families, students and staff should be provided information about medical services available at low-cost and for individuals with no insurance.
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Choose not to answer
This issue is irrelevant to whether a person is qualified to serve on a school board of education. I believe in the constitutional principle enshrined in the first clause of the Bill of Rights which pronounces separation of church and state as the law of our country. Public schools are extensions of the state.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should be a resource for instruction or services in the school.
Choose not to answer
BOEs and district administrators should evaluate and decide together which health care providers are allowed to serve as resources for instruction or services in schools. Families, students and staff should be provided information about medical services available at low-cost and for individuals with no insurance.
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Choose not to answer
This issue is irrelevant to whether a person is qualified to serve on a school board of education. I believe in the constitutional principle enshrined in the first clause of the Bill of Rights which pronounces separation of church and state as the law of our country. Public schools are extensions of the state.
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Neutral
This is irrelevant to the issue of qualifications to serve on a school board.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Neutral
This is irrelevant to the issue of qualifications to serve on a school board.
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
School districts should be able to use taxpayer money for lobbying the state legislature.
Strongly Disagree
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Free public education is how we will advance our country and compete with others around the world. The cost of private pre-k is astronomical for families, and public pre-k would help our children enter elementary school on a more equal playing field, so our students can learn even more while in elementary school. Government funding is essential to the functioning of public schools and allows us to provide our students with numerous opportunities, programs. classes.
What is your position on government funding of public education from Pre-K through college?
Free public education is how we will advance our country and compete with others around the world. The cost of private pre-k is astronomical for families, and public pre-k would help our children enter elementary school on a more equal playing field, so our students can learn even more while in elementary school. Government funding is essential to the functioning of public schools and allows us to provide our students with numerous opportunities, programs. classes.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Agree
Pursuant to our constitutional principle of separation of church and state, no particular religion or faith should receive preferential treatment in public schools.
At school, students should be able to speak freely and civilly about matters of conscience and faith, including Christianity.
Agree
Pursuant to our constitutional principle of separation of church and state, no particular religion or faith should receive preferential treatment in public schools.
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 Disagree
Entities which accept public funds need to follow the law in how they spend those funds. Marriage equality is the law. School district policies for vetting of bids and potential contracts with individuals, organizations and small businesses need to be followed to ensure government funds are spent appropriately.
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 Disagree
Entities which accept public funds need to follow the law in how they spend those funds. Marriage equality is the law. School district policies for vetting of bids and potential contracts with individuals, organizations and small businesses need to be followed to ensure government funds are spent appropriately.
EDUCATION
What is the function of the local school board?
First and foremost, the local school board's function is to investigate and listen to the needs of the students, faculty, staff and administration, and devote their efforts to meeting those needs. School boards should ensure a district's compliance with state and national requirements and standards for curriculum, testing, etc. School boards should also hear the concerns of community members and district families.
What is the function of the local school board?
First and foremost, the local school board's function is to investigate and listen to the needs of the students, faculty, staff and administration, and devote their efforts to meeting those needs. School boards should ensure a district's compliance with state and national requirements and standards for curriculum, testing, etc. School boards should also hear the concerns of community members and district families.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
The state sets standards for curriculum so that students across the state are learning the same material; local districts are tasked with devising the specific curriculum their students will learn along with the necessary resources to learn that material. Involved in the process of setting curriculum are educators who have studied how best to educate students at the level they teach, and educators from the next level of schooling, so that students are learning sufficient foundations to advance to the next level of education, whether that be from elementary to intermediate or intermediate to high school level.
Who should have the authority to set curriculum and determine resources used in those curricula?
The state sets standards for curriculum so that students across the state are learning the same material; local districts are tasked with devising the specific curriculum their students will learn along with the necessary resources to learn that material. Involved in the process of setting curriculum are educators who have studied how best to educate students at the level they teach, and educators from the next level of schooling, so that students are learning sufficient foundations to advance to the next level of education, whether that be from elementary to intermediate or intermediate to high school level.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Equal time should be provided to all members of the community who wish to address a school board at a meeting. Patron comments should be civil; proper decorum should be observed and adhered to. Comments should be addressed to the board as a whole.
When should parents be restricted from speaking in school board meetings?
Equal time should be provided to all members of the community who wish to address a school board at a meeting. Patron comments should be civil; proper decorum should be observed and adhered to. Comments should be addressed to the board as a whole.
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
Political Activism, Gender Identity, Critical Race Theory, and Sexuality are not taught in any K-12 public school I've taught in or had children attend. Mathematics, Information Technology, Science, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, American History, Language Arts, Art & Music, Vocational Learning, Foreign Language, and Social Emotional Learning are all subjects which we grew up with; they're all vital to development of well-rounded students who can achieve success in their next steps after graduation.
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
Political Activism, Gender Identity, Critical Race Theory, and Sexuality are not taught in any K-12 public school I've taught in or had children attend. Mathematics, Information Technology, Science, Personal Finances, Physical Fitness, American History, Language Arts, Art & Music, Vocational Learning, Foreign Language, and Social Emotional Learning are all subjects which we grew up with; they're all vital to development of well-rounded students who can achieve success in their next steps after graduation.
Which more closely matches your view of America's founding principles? A) Liberty and equality. B) Slavery and racism.
Liberty and equality
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 are provided the resources they need to be successful, regardless of any physical mental or intellectual disability, of socioeconomic background, etc.
What does "equity in education" mean to you?
All children are provided the resources they need to be successful, regardless of any physical mental or intellectual disability, of socioeconomic background, etc.
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Disagree
It is a parent/guardian's responsibility to read letters which come home from school asking the parent/guardian to opt-out of their child's participation in particular courses.
Written parental consent (opt-in) must be obtained before students are taught courses such as Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) or Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Disagree
It is a parent/guardian's responsibility to read letters which come home from school asking the parent/guardian to opt-out of their child's participation in particular courses.
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Disagree
The purpose of federal dollars being provided to school districts is to ensure students across the country are learning topics and skills which will help our country complete on a global scale.
The loss of local control in education is too high a price to pay in exchange for federal dollars.
Disagree
The purpose of federal dollars being provided to school districts is to ensure students across the country are learning topics and skills which will help our country complete on a global scale.
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
There are no restrictions on parents choosing between their local public school, or any private school or homeschooling program which best fits their needs for their children.
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
There are no restrictions on parents choosing between their local public school, or any private school or homeschooling program which best fits their needs for their children.
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
Just as there are ratings with age-descriptions for television shows and movies, parents know that school libraries make age-and-reading-level-appropriate materials available to students. Parents should be allowed to restrict what their individual students have access to, but should not make those decisions for other people's children.
Do you believe students should have access to materials that graphically depict and describe sexual acts?
No
Just as there are ratings with age-descriptions for television shows and movies, parents know that school libraries make age-and-reading-level-appropriate materials available to students. Parents should be allowed to restrict what their individual students have access to, but should not make those decisions for other people's children.
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Disagree
School libraries are tasked with providing materials to their students. Public libraries have content available for public review. Schools should not be burdened with providing their materials to the public, especially since their copyright licensures may not extend to members of the general public.
All print and digital material available or presented to students should be easily accessible for public review.
Disagree
School libraries are tasked with providing materials to their students. Public libraries have content available for public review. Schools should not be burdened with providing their materials to the public, especially since their copyright licensures may not extend to members of the general public.
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
This is not applicable to qualifications for a board of education member.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Neutral
I look to MSHSAA (the Missouri State High School Activities Association) and their guidance/standards on eligibility to participate in athletics.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
This is not applicable to qualifications for a board of education member.
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Strongly Disagree
School officials should respect the freedom of students to present their identity. Public schools educate students from all backgrounds.
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Neutral
I look to MSHSAA (the Missouri State High School Activities Association) and their guidance/standards on eligibility to participate in athletics.
Therapy to help children turn from unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria should be banned.
Choose not to answer
This is not an issue which is relevant to qualifications for board of education members. It is not a part of any state curriculum that I have encountered in my fourteen years of teaching public high school.
No school official should be involved in the sexual transitioning of a student, including the use of alternative names and pronouns.
Strongly Disagree
School officials should respect the freedom of students to present their identity. Public schools educate students from all backgrounds.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Choose not to answer
This is not applicable to qualifications for board of education members.
Therapy to help children turn from unwanted same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria should be banned.
Choose not to answer
This is not an issue which is relevant to qualifications for board of education members. It is not a part of any state curriculum that I have encountered in my fourteen years of teaching public high school.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Parent and guardians should be the primary sources of sexual education, but schools should teach students from a health perspective about the functions of the body and changes to their anatomy.
No healthcare diagnosis or treatment, whether mental, reproductive, or otherwise, should be given to a child without first receiving written consent from the parent.
Choose not to answer
This is not applicable to qualifications for board of education members.
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
Physical and emotional health outcomes. consent, contraceptive methods including abstinence, sexual orientation and gender identity, human anatomy and the reproductive system.
Who is responsible for teaching sexual education to children, and what is the appropriate age when it should be taught?
Parent and guardians should be the primary sources of sexual education, but schools should teach students from a health perspective about the functions of the body and changes to their anatomy.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
Our bill of rights begins with the separation of church and state.
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
Physical and emotional health outcomes. consent, contraceptive methods including abstinence, sexual orientation and gender identity, human anatomy and the reproductive system.
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality that is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Disagree
Our bill of rights begins with the separation of church and state.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Choose not to answer
This question has no application to a school board race.
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Choose not to answer
This question has no application to a school board race.
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.
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
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?
Choose not to answer
I am a candidate for a nonpartisan position on a public school board. My political affiliations are not why I'm running. I'm a dad who wants my kids' schools to be the best they can be, and an educator who wants to lend my voice and experiences to the decision-making body of our district.
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?
Choose not to answer
I am a candidate for a nonpartisan position on a public school board. My political affiliations are not why I'm running. I'm a dad who wants my kids' schools to be the best they can be, and an educator who wants to lend my voice and experiences to the decision-making body of our district.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a product of public schools, having graduated from New Berlin High School in New Berlin, IL, and Southeast Missouri State University. I have taught public high school in St. Charles County since 2009. I have been a Wentzville School District resident since 2006, and have had students in the district since 2018. I have attended every PTA/PTO meeting I have been invited to this season, and am energized to learn what the schools in our district are doing, and how they can use assistance from the Board of Education to support their faculty, staff and students. I am extremely proud to have children in the Wentzville School District.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a product of public schools, having graduated from New Berlin High School in New Berlin, IL, and Southeast Missouri State University. I have taught public high school in St. Charles County since 2009. I have been a Wentzville School District resident since 2006, and have had students in the district since 2018. I have attended every PTA/PTO meeting I have been invited to this season, and am energized to learn what the schools in our district are doing, and how they can use assistance from the Board of Education to support their faculty, staff and students. I am extremely proud to have children in the Wentzville School District.
2ND AMENDMENT
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Strongly Disagree
As an almost twenty-year educator, I believe firearms on school campuses should be carried by law enforcement officers who undergo many hours of training to carry their weapons.
Teachers who are licensed to carry should be allowed to carry guns at school.
Strongly Disagree
As an almost twenty-year educator, I believe firearms on school campuses should be carried by law enforcement officers who undergo many hours of training to carry their weapons.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
I trust the MO Department of Health and Senior Services and the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to work together to set standards for vaccinations in schools.
Under what circumstances (if any) should schools be allowed to require vaccinations?
I trust the MO Department of Health and Senior Services and the MO Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to work together to set standards for vaccinations in schools.
I support mask mandates.
Neutral
I support following public health guidelines and recommendations for policies which will allow all students to safely learn in-person.
I support mask mandates.
Neutral
I support following public health guidelines and recommendations for policies which will allow all students to safely learn in-person.
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.
Disagree
Procedural votes to adjourn or approve minutes should not have to be roll-call votes. Existing policies should be followed unless the board votes to change policy after comment, consideration and debate.
All votes should be roll call votes and recorded in meeting minutes.
Disagree
Procedural votes to adjourn or approve minutes should not have to be roll-call votes. Existing policies should be followed unless the board votes to change policy after comment, consideration and debate.
