Candidate Arnie C. Asidinoff urges inclusion and transparency in superintendent search

Arnie C. Asidinoff, who identified himself as a candidate for state representative, used the board’s public-comment period to urge the Fort Zumwalt R-II Board of Education to make the superintendent selection process more transparent and to involve residents.

"We really need to stand up to protect at all costs public education," Asidinoff said, calling recent state-level proposals an "assault" on public schools and urging board members to join him in opposing measures he said would harm the district. He told the board he has not been contacted about participating in the superintendent interview and selection process and described that omission as "a slap in the residents' faces."

Asidinoff recommended conditions for the next superintendent, saying the person "shall be a resident living inside our community and our district within 9 months of accepting the contract." He also urged the board to avoid "sweetheart deals," citing a Wentzville payout to Daniel Tormala that Asidinoff said involved a $1,300,000 settlement.

The comments also included criticism of the facilities director’s approach to contracts; Asidinoff called for more accountability and transparency and encouraged the district to shop locally when awarding contracts. No formal action followed from public comment. The board proceeded to its consent agenda and subsequent agenda items later in the meeting.

The remarks occurred during the public-comment portion of the meeting and were followed by other citizens and board reports. Asidinoff’s complaints about past contracts and his residency recommendation represent citizen demands that may inform public expectations during the board’s superintendent search.