Four people, including incumbent Stephen Kuczka, are running for three seats on the Grandview R-2 School District Board of Education. Other candidates are Michael Mayberry, Abe Eoff and Corey Wayne Powell. The three terms are for three years and are unpaid.
Three-year term
Kuczka, 63, has been a business owner and accountant for 40 years. He has served on the Grandview R-2 Board of Education since April 2017. He has five children and seven grandchildren.
Mayberry, 36, is a heavy equipment tech for Fabrick Cat. He has an associate degree. He runs the Little Eagles Basketball program, and coaches football and basketball teams.
Eoff, 42, is an electric mechanic for Ardagh Group in Pevely. He has a degree in robotics in manufacturing fundamentals and heating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC) from Jefferson College. He previously served on the Grandview R-2 Board of Education from 2015-2018. Eoff and his spouse, Crystal, have two children. Crystal works as the special education administrator in Grandview.
Powell, 38, is a union carpenter and project manager at Solid Platforms Inc. He attended Grandview High School and has been a volunteer coach with Gridiron Football since 2023. Powell and his wife, Jessica, have two children.
If the property tax credit/freeze measure outlined in Senate Bill 3 is approved by voters, how would Grandview be affected, and how should the district move forward?
Kuczka: Currently, state school districts are in litigation over Senate Bill 3 to stop the credit. But at Grandview, this credit will have minimal impact on our district because of our virtual education programs supplementing our revenue.
Mayberry: It will reduce the amount of funding for the school. I don’t know how it will affect the school other than the budget.
Eoff: I am personally not in favor of Senate Bill 3 because this will impact our local funding on schools as well as community services that are provided in the county.
Powell: From what I have read, Grandview would be affected by the bill, limiting the growth of local revenue for the school and potentially affecting salaries, programs and staffing. Lowering staff could affect class sizes as well. I would recommend that the district move forward by not supporting this bill.
What is your assessment of the school board’s performance in the past year?
Kuczka: I believe the Grandview R-2 Board of Education has done a good job in completing our bond projects. Also, we have had good pay increases for all of our staff for the upcoming school year. We have also selected a new superintendent to lead our district, replacing our current superintendent, who is retiring.
Mayberry: I don’t feel like I can answer that because I wasn’t a part of the decision-making and don’t know all the options that were available or the choices that were made.
Eoff: I feel the board has done a great job in serving our community as a whole. I know several of the board members, and I know the hard work and dedication they do to continue the great things our school district is doing. I have been a board member in the past, and I know the time and the commitment these members provide to the school district and the overall community. I thank them for their hard work and effort.
Powell: The school board has done a good job from what I have seen and heard this past year. I have seen some much-needed improvements, like the sewer system. I also believe that there is always room for improvement as well, and if I am elected, I intend to see that it keeps improving.
Why should voters elect you to this position? What are your goals?
Kuczka: My current goals for the district are to increase our student test scores, continue increasing school safety programs, increase staff pay and fund some additional capital projects at our district.
Mayberry: I am running to help make the best choices for our kids that I can. I have children in school and family that goes to every school. I want to help make the school a good, safe place for our kids. My goal is to help the school get all the repairs that it needs to be the best place we can send our kids.
Eoff: My role as a school board member is to work with the school superintendent to advocate for what is best for the students, families and the district. My goals include to work alongside the school board members and superintendent in continuing the groundwork that has been established in having high expectations for learning, as well as practical learning experiences. Another goal would be to work with district leaders and board members to encourage more community involvement within our schools.
Powell: Voters should elect me because I feel that I have a good mindset on what needs to be accomplished to help the district, and try to reach out and pull in more community involvement. I have been a part of this community for a long time; I graduated from Grandview in 2007, and now my kids attend school here. My goals are to help support the students, and I feel that being on the school board would give me the best opportunity to do so. I want what is best for the future of our students, staff and the district itself. Being a fellow alumnus, I want to help Grandview continue to succeed and grow.
One-year unexpired term
Justin A Verhaeg and Tommy Hahn are vying for a one-year term on the Grandview Board of Education. Incumbent Amie Merz told the district she will resign from her seat before the April election, leaving the seat vacant for a year.
Verhaeg, 35, is employed at Anheuser-Busch. He is a 2008 De Soto High School graduate and has an associate degree in art from Jefferson College. Verhaeg and his wife, Kyerstyn, have two sons. Kyerstyn is the secretary at Grandview Elementary School.
Hahn, 25, is the owner and operator of JTH Landscaping LLC since 2021. He graduated from Grandview High School in 2018 and earned an associate degree in business from Jefferson College in 2020. He volunteered as a coach for the Grandview High School baseball program, and helped to repair and improve the baseball facilities from 2019-2020. In the summer of 2025, he volunteered through his landscaping services business for the Jefferson County YMCA. Hahn’s wife, Macy, is the middle school volleyball coach. His father-in-law, Jeff Ketcherside, is the AG/FFA teacher at the high school. His mother-in-law, Vicky Ketcherside, is the middle school secretary. His sister-in-law, Madeline Rotter, is a sixth-grade teacher and his sister-in-law, Melissa Lawrence, is a fourth-grade teacher.
If the property tax credit/freeze measure outlined in Senate Bill 3 is approved by voters, how would Grandview be affected, and how should the district move forward?
Verhaeg: Depending on the amount of decreased revenue, budgeting would have to be adjusted accordingly. Without knowing all the details and the impact it will have on Grandview’s revenue, one can only hope for the best.
Hahn: If the Senate Bill 3 is approved by voters, depending on how long the freeze is, the Grandview School District will temporarily see a decrease in revenue from Grandview taxpayers. The district should move forward by engaging and educating taxpayers on what tax funds go toward, make a long-term financial plan and ensure the emergency reserve accounts are maintaining a certain amount.
What is your assessment of the school board’s performance in the past year?
Verhaeg: The school board does its best to manage funding in ways to ensure all the students at Grandview have the most beneficial learning environment. This keeps students’ participation and academic scores high.
Hahn: Based on the information I know, I believe there is room for improvement in performance.
Why should voters elect you to this position? What are your goals?
Verhaeg: It would be in the best interests of voters to elect me since I aim to put the students and their learning experience at the forefront.
Hahn: Voters should elect me because I bring a fresh perspective and new ideas while having deep roots in the Grandview community. Having grown up here, I care deeply about the success and future of our district. My professional background includes experience in construction, budgeting, project management, building maintenance and financial stewardship, which gives me a practical understanding of operations and responsible decision-making. I am committed to listening, asking thoughtful questions and advocating for choices that are truly in the best interest of our students, staff and community. My priority will always be doing what is right for the district.
