Dr. Don Cook is on a mission to improve the lives of African-American students in the Parkway School District. Appointed to the district’s board in October 2004 to fill a vacated seat, Dr. Cook n a former teacher and 24-year resident of the district n seeks to retain his seat in the April 5 election.
“We have an agenda for meeting the goals of the district, and I think that the proper way to do that is to identify those goals that the district has and to support them through my efforts,” Dr. Cook said of the board.
“My goals go beyond that, in that I am participating in other programs outside of the board goals.”
One of those goals includes finding ways to ensure the academic success of African-American students.
To improve the development of African-American boys in the district, Dr. Cook is working on a mentoring program that would pair local African-American businessmen with sixth-grade students.
“We’ve got to find a way to get these young people to connect more with schools, to be involved more,” Dr. Cook said of the program, which has not yet been approved by the superintendent.
“What we’ve got to do is to take those best practices, where we have seen success with African-American students, not only at Parkway, and share them with people.”
Dr. Cook is a successful businessman willing to sacrifice time to be a positive presence on the Parkway School Board and feels that his corporate experience could only help improve the district.
“I have more than 20 years of corporate experience and training in management, leadership, technology, team work,” Dr. Cook said.
“I also own a technology distribution company, so I understand about contracts and people. I understand about revenues, profits and laws. And, also, I am a parent who has been involved in the Parkway district for more than 25 years.”
James Webb, president of the St. Louis Minority Business Council, has known Dr. Cook for more than 40 years and feels that his educational background is a perfect fit for the school board.
“His bachelor’s degree, his master’s and his doctorate are all in the field of education, either classroom instruction or administration,” Webb said. “He is very, very interested in children and their proper development.”
For many years Dr. Cook has worked to ensure the proper development of youth in the district. He has served as a South High Band Booster and on the Craft Fair work team and High Technology Planning Committee. He has also been a speaker at many schools, a mentor at Southwest Middle School and a supporter of the Boy Scouts at Barretts Elementary.
“He was a teacher, he was also a principal, so he brings first-hand information,” Webb said. “He also brings a balanced view, since he is the only African-American running for the school board.”
Both of Cook’s two children were students in the Parkway School District, and his wife is currently a reading specialist at Barretts Elementary. His experience as a Parkway parent coupled with his background in business and education are what make him a unique voice on the board.
“I think when you put those components together, it makes me a very strong candidate because of the management experience, with my ownership experience, understanding how to run a company, my educational background,” Cook said.
“Also, I am certified for both elementary and high school as a teacher, and I’m also certified as an elementary principal. Those are the things that make me unique.”
