Meet the 2024 Board of Education candidates
Posted on 03/15/2024
Ten Mehlville School District citizens have filed their candidacy for four positions on the Mehlville Board of Education. The following information was provided by the candidates. District staff do not edit their responses.
These Board of Education candidates are on the April 2, 2024, ballot. For election information, including polling locations and sample ballots, visit St. Louis County Board of Elections.
Candidates are listed by term and order of filing.
Two-year term candidates (two positions available)
Peggy L. Hassler
[email protected]
Occupation or Business:
Operation’s Manager / Paralegal at Keefe & Griffiths, P.C. Attorneys at Law, 11/1/86 - Present
Educational Background:
1983 Mehlville High School Graduate; BS Business Administration / Paralegal, Lindenwood University
Community organizations/memberships:
23 Years District Volunteer - Mehlville Board of Education-7 Yrs; Policy, Communication, Facility, Finance & Insurance Committee Member; Prop R, A, S & E Campaign & Mehlville/Oakville United Organizer/Co-Founder; PTO Exec Board at Blades, Bernard and OHS/Various Committees; Executive Director & State Council Board Member of Kids’ Chance of America; President/Exec Board Kids’ Chance of Missouri.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I am seeking re-election to the board of education to maintain my commitment to optimizing district resources for a top-tier education while ensuring fiscal discipline and maximizing one of the lowest tax rates in St. Louis and surrounding counties. Priorities encompass academic excellence, security/safety, continuous facility upgrades, and strategic long-term planning aligned with the district's strategic goals. I will persist in formulating policies for overall success, sustaining staff competitiveness, reducing turnover, and enhancing district-wide improvement, while emphasizing foresight in long-term planning for consistent progress and safety of our children and staff.
Information about your family:
Husband - Bill Hassler; Three Children - Luke, Jake, Madison; All three children attended Mehlville School District from Kindergarten through HS graduation.
Mehlville School District Residents for 26 years.
Jean Pretto
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
Educator
Educational Background:
Bachelor's Degree Music Education
Master's Degree Education Administration and Supervision
Community organizations/memberships:
Through the years, St. Francis of Assisi St. Anne's Sodality, Peace Lutheran Church Interim Choir Director, Faith Lutheran Church, Children's choir director, Jefferson Barracks Veterans Administration Music Programs, Chevrolet Legion of Leaders, Chevrolet Society of Sales Executives, Explore St. Louis Hospitality Hero.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
In 2014, I was unhappy with the direction the district was going and the motivation of the existing governing board. I am running to promote the benefit of my experience in data-driven, student-first governance and to continue the forward progress that our district has experienced over the last few years.
Information about your family:
Married to Joe Pretto for 52 years. Two daughters. Eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Attended Oakville Elementary, St. Francis of Assisi and Bishop DuBourg High School. Bachelors Music Education from Webster College. Taught music and choral ed. at Hixson Jr. High, Most Precious Blood, Mehlville School District and Green Park Lutheran. Sold Chevrolets for 27 years.
Mike Moore
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
Industrial Sales
Educational Background:
Graduate of Oakville High School 2007, Graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia 2011
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I have one child about to enter into the Mehlville School District and plan on having a few more in the future. All of the parents I talk to in South County are fed up with the woke D.E.I. agenda being pushed on their children. Even in these tough economic times, with record inflation, they have to spend their hard earned money to send their kids to private schools in hopes of shielding them from government brainwashing. Why did we ever go away from just teaching academics? (Math, Science, Reading, etc).
Regarding the egregious tax increase forced upon the Mehlville residents, I will vote to roll it back 100% and will work to eliminate frivolous spending, so that we can use the money we have to fund stronger academics and increased teacher salaries.
Information about your family:
I have been happily married for 10 years. We have one child, with a second coming soon, and I work every day to make sure I raise them to be strong, smart, positive members of society.
Bob Mahacek
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
Consultant - Innovative Intermodal, Inc.
Educational Background:
St. Mary's University, 1991 Summa Cum Laude, Bachelor's of Business Administration
Community organizations/memberships:
Regular platelet donor, weekly dog therapy at Delmar Gardens South, working with former gang members and inmates in their transition to life outside prison.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I have done volunteer work all of my adult life and sincerely enjoy helping others. In addition, I owned a successful trucking company for nearly thirty years. Seeing first-hand how absolutely critical education is, I believe my life experiences, as well as my ability to work with a wide array of people, would make a positive impact on the District.
Information about your family:
Wife - Julie in home health, daughter Grace - first year medical school at UMKC, dog therapy helpers- Belle and Ariel.
Sasha Schmittgens
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
I am a project manager full time and after hours a small business owner as a computer repair technician.
Educational Background:
Oakville High School Class of 2013
Community organizations/memberships:
Oakville Chamber of Commerce
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I am running for the board as a concerned resident of the Mehlville School District. I believe our district and the board have failed our community, and most importantly, our students. With low academic scores and poor spending among some of the issues our district faces, we need appropriate changes.
If elected, I intend to listen to parents, students, teachers, and faculty on any issues and voice those concerns to the district leaders and other board members. Given the recent unfavorable tax increase and the community's distrust towards the board due to its choices, it is time for our district and board members, both current and new, to guide our district to a higher standard for our students and community.
Information about your family:
My family currently consists of a loving German Shepherd.
Venki Palamand
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
Small Business Owner - Retired
Educational Background:
Oakville Sr - 1985; Bachelor of Science Business - Washington University 1989; Master of Science Mechanical Engineering - Washington University 1994
Community organizations/memberships:
Former 9 year member of the Mehlville Board of Education - 2007-2013; 2014-2017; 3 terms as Board President
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
We need to Improve our academic performance - English, Math, and ACT scores. Currently, Bayless and Fox C6 are higher performing districts in both English and Math. Mehlville needs to do better.
Information about your family:
46 year resident of Mehlville; Single
Three-year term candidates (two positions available)
Patrick McKelvey
patrickmckelvey.com/contact
Occupation/Business:
College Professor - Illinois College
Educational Background:
2 Masters in Education from the University of Missouri
Community organizations/memberships:
Governing Council of Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County (April 2021 - Current) and Arnold Food Pantry Board (March 2023 - Current)
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
When I was a student in our district, Mehlville was forced to make millions in cuts that directly harmed my education. When I returned to the district as a resident, I decided to run for school board to ensure our districts would never be forced to take such drastic actions again. While I am satisfied with the progress that has occurred in my past three years on the board, it is important to recognize that our district can continue to improve. I am running for re-election because I believe every Mehlville student deserves the best education possible that will help them accomplish their dreams. Additionally, I want to provide our staff with what they need to be successful. Finally, I am running as a life-long resident and district graduate that is deeply passionate about our community.
Information about your family:
My parents, Stephanie and Jim McKelvey, moved to the district in 1992 and continue to be active members in our community.
Amy Summers
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
Accounts Receivable Specialist
Educational Background:
Bachelors in Business with a Focus in Finance
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
As a mom of 4, with 2 currently in the Mehlville School District, I feel that it's important to have more parents represented. I believe that as a parent I can bring a unique perspective to the board because the decisions it makes directly impact the learning and growth of the kids in the district.
I also believe that my experience in accounting and finance will be an asset to help manage the district budget and taxpayer funds, I would vote to roll back the tax increase that was not voted on while still funding strong academics and increased teacher salaries.
Information about your family:
My husband and I have been married 11 years, we have 4 beautiful children, and we are working hard to raise them to be strong, kind, hardworking members of the community.
Tori Behlke
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
Pre-K teacher- Faith Early Childhood Center
Educational Background:
B.S. Child Developmental & Family Studies- Mizzou
Community organizations/memberships:
Board of Education 2018-current, MSD current committees-Policy & Communications
Prior Community Organizations & committees; MSD Finance, Insurance, Facilities, Character Education. Parents As Teachers advisory board, OES PTO President/exec board, BMS PTO, Prop R, OHS Hockey Club fundraising chair, Girl Scouts Troop Volunteer, OHS All night Graduation.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I seek re-election to sustain my commitment to our community. Driven by an unwavering dedication to Mehlville students, families, staff, & community, top priorities are: boosting student academic achievement & opportunity, enhancing safety & security for all, while maintaining the fiscal responsibility that keeps the Mehlville tax rate among the lowest in STL county. Acknowledging the overwhelming support of Prop E, I seek to ensure Mehlville remains competitive with other districts, acquiring and retaining top educators and support staff, while partnering with our new superintendent on long-term planning and shared vision for the district. I pledge to continue contributing time, energy, and experience with the goal of further enhancing educational opportunities for all Mehlville students.
Information about your family:
I’ve worked and lived in the Oakville community for over 23 years. My husband Harold, who attended Mehlville schools K-12 is a graduate of Oakville High. We have 4 children and a lovely daughter in law: Christian (OHS 2015, now General Manager at Caliber) & married to Olivia (MHS 2016), Drew (OHS 2018, student at Ranken), Lucas (OHS 2023, student at Mizzou) and Caroline who is a sophomore at OHS.
James L. (Simo) Simokaitis
[email protected]
Occupation/Business:
Retired USAF; Retired Federal Employee; Former Small Business Owner; Afterschool tutor in Mehlville School District, Crosspoint Church Outreach Program; Volunteer Supervisor, Mobile Food Distribution Line, Oasis International; Vested Journeyman, Ironworkers Local 396
Educational Background:
B.A. History, B.A. English
Community organizations/memberships:
Board President, Jefferson Barracks Heritage Foundation; Military Officers Association of America; Veterans of Foreign Wars; American Legion; Missouri History Museum Foundation; St. Louis Art Museum Foundation; St. Louis Chamber Chorus Foundation; Show-Me Institute
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
Thirty years ago, we moved to the Mehlville district because of its solid academics and wide range of affordable housing. Since then we have seen significant increases in school district spending while academic performance has plummeted. I am running for School Board because I am tired of sitting on the sidelines watching this continuous downward spiral and wondering what if anything is being done to address it. The time has come to start asking tough questions, to honestly identify problem areas, and introduce innovative solutions that draw from any variety of successful programs. I have the background and temperament that can cut through the noise and begin a much needed turnaround. The foundation is already in place for an outstanding school district. All that is needed is your vote.
Information about your family:
Married 32 years to my lovely and patient wife Vernadine. Raised 4 graduates of the Mehlville district, all of them productive members of their communities. Sharing my family home with 2 dogs, one of them a rescued stray puppy. I am one of 13 siblings born and raised in St. Louis City.