Meet Jennifer Allen

Hello. My name is Jennifer A. Allen and I am a candidate for SLPS Board. I grew up in central Illinois, the daughter of an elementary school teacher and a k-8 principal. My mother continues to teach elementary school after 41 years and my father took early retirement and then returned to education in a position as an alternative school director. Early on, I learned the role of the School Board and the continuous battle to determine where the line between administration and governance lies.

I earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois and then came to St. Louis where I attended SLU, earning both a JD and Master in Health Administration in 2000. I moved with my husband to the State of Oregon where I practiced law, representing the City of Madras, Oregon as well as assisting my employer with research issues in their representation of the local school district. Once our daughter was born, we decided to return to St. Louis to raise our family.

I am currently a stay-at-home mom to 2 year-old Mia and 7 week-old Ava. I hope to continue in this role until they enter SLPS in a few years.

I decided to run for the School Board for many reason, including:

As a mother and city resident, I want my children to attend public school. However, in the current state of the school district, I have many reservations, primarily safety and academic performance. While these issues seem to increase as the education level rises, these issues affect every stage of education. We need to revisit the issue of alternative schools. When the alternative schools are closed and those students are sent back into the regular classroom, the impact is enormous for both the students and the teachers.

While a contract was finally agreed upon, the voice of the teachers has fallen upon deaf ears for far too long. The board needs to be open to change and needs to take teacher and parent concerns into consideration. The new board needs to turn away from the poor decisions of the past and look toward the future.

I could go on and on about old textbooks, deteriorating facilities, etc... In short, this is why I believe you should vote for me for SLPS Board:

My education and practical experience have provided me with a working knowledge of the School Board and its governing role. I am dedicated to the City and to public education, including sending my own children to SLPS. I am a friend to our teachers. I am a team player yet I will not follow a voting block merely to avoid confrontation. I am not afraid to ask questions and make forward-thinking decisions.

Thanks for your time.