MNEA LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS RECOMMEND CANDIDATES FOR SCHOOL BOARD
Missouri School Board Elections are Tues., April 7, 2026.
To report candidates recommended by your local association, please send the name of the school district and recommendations to MNEA Director of Campaigns & Elections Elizabeth Zerr by submitting the Candidate Recommendation Form.
Missouri NEA local associations abide by a recommendation process that evaluates candidates based on their values, not party affiliation. They recommend candidates whose values closely align with MNEA's beliefs and legislative resolutions, which include protecting the rights of students and education employees; ensuring every student has a qualified, caring teacher; and investing in public education so teachers have the tools they need to help drive student success.
Candidates are interviewed by a committee that lives in your school district and knows the issues that are unique to your community.
Questions? Contact Elizabeth Zerr (elizabeth.zerr@mnea.org, (573) 644-9610).
2026 School Board Recommendations
COLUMBIA MNEA
April Ferrao
Paul Harper
John Lyman
FRANCIS HOWELL EA
Jason Adams
Sara Dillard
Kevin McGuire
HAZELWOOD NEA
Sparkl West-Pruitt
Rochelle Dampier
INDEPENDENCE NEA
Zac Harmon-McLaughlin
Sarah Wimberley
Susan Hill
KIRKWOOD NEA
Tanya Craft
James Harding
Susan Hill
MAPLEWOOD-RICHMOND HTS
Loretta Colvin
Christy Martinez
Loren Widmer Tiefenbrun
NORTHWEST NEA
Michelle Coats
Cindy Hayes
PATTONVILLE NEA
Rena Simmons
Lisa Kickbusch
Brian Gray
ROCKWOOD NEA
Proposition S
ST CHARLES EA
Karen O'Hearn
Lori Gibson
Charlie Daniels
Become a PAC Sustainer
Getting involved in political action is the key to supporting the promise of public education and the rights of education employees. Your contribution to MNEA-PAC helps drive positive change in Missouri schools.
The MNEA PAC Fund empowers educators to shape elections and improve the daily lives of educators and students.
Half of every dollar contributed supports local school board, bond, and levy elections. The other half helps elect MNEA members running for the state legislature, as well as candidates who share our vision for strong public schools.
Through MNEA PAC,
- YOU and the power of our union helped elect NINE fellow Missouri NEA members to the legislature.
- YOU added $500 million to the funding formula in 2025 and passed breastfeeding protections for educators into law.
- YOU protected our collective bargaining rights, teacher tenure, and public education.
- And YOU won 86% of your local school board elections through investments in MNEA PAC.