By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – St. Louis school board member Bill Haas says education will be a top priority if he is elected mayor.
Haas will face incumbent Francis Slay and alderwoman Irene J. Smith in the March 8 Democratic primary.
The mayor has no direct control over the St. Louis Public Schools, but on KWMU's St. Louis on the Air Monday, Haas said improving the school system is essential to the city's future.
"That's the one issue that's going to turn the city around, and that's where my vision is set," Haas said. "If I do nothing else for four years but get the graduation rate up to 95 percent and reading scores up to grade level, the people will give me another term."
Haas also wants to freeze property tax rates and increase access to day care for city residents. This is his fourth run for mayor.
KWMU and KETC-TV will broadcast a debate between Haas, Smith and Slay Tuesday evening at 7 o'clock.