Tamara Jo Rhomberg, Phillip Milligan and Thomas Dunn will seek election to the Rockwood School District’s Board of Education on April 2.
The three candidates are vying for two open seats.
Rhomberg is seeking her third full term after joining the board in 2017. Dunn, who also ran in 2023, is looking to join the board for a second time after serving on it from 2019 to 2022.
Board president Jaime Bayes is not seeking re-election. She has served on the board since 2015.
Board members, who serve three-year terms, are unpaid.
Tamara Jo Rhomberg
RHOMBERG, 77, lives in Fenton. She has two biological children, four bonus children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Rhomberg began her teaching career in the Lindbergh School District. She retired after 23 years as both a teacher and administrator in the Rockwood School District.
Rhomberg received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University, a lifetime reading specialist certification, and a master’s degree in educational processes from Maryville University.
After retiring from education, Rhomberg worked as an educational consultant for Zaner-Bloser Publishing. She is an adjunct instructor at Webster University and with the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program.
Phillip Milligan
MILLIGAN, 62, lives in Eureka with his spouse, Teresa. Milligan has two daughters and four grandchildren. He is a retired teacher and administrator. Currently, Milligan is the minister of music at Wildwood Christian Church and is a photographer at P Milligan Photography. He also plays in a cover band called The Pick Too Trio.
Milligan received a bachelor’s degree in music education from Southeast Missouri State in 1983 and a master’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois in 1990. In 1999, he received a master’s degree in educational administration from Lindenwood University and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from the University of Missouri in 2003.
Milligan taught band at Lafayette High School from 1989 to 2000.
Thomas Dunn
DUNN, 55, lives in Wildwood with his spouse, Lindsey. He has three daughters. Dunn is a sales manager in the security screening products industry. He received a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from Bradley University in 1992.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Rhomberg: I have a wide background in education. I have experience as a classroom teacher, an administrator and a national literacy consultant, which have afforded me opportunities to interact with educators of all levels, providing me with the knowledge and understanding of what it takes to be an effective school board member. I have been an active leader of state and local literacy associations. I have learned to listen and learn from those that I serve.
Milligan: I was a teacher for 17 years, principal for 12 years and have been a university supervisor for student teachers for Missouri State and Lindenwood universities and taught at Lindenwood since my public school retirement. I have spent my adult life serving in and learning about the field of education.
I am versed in curriculum development, instructional strategies, school law and anti-bullying strategies. I am on the homeowners association board for my subdivision of 528 homes.
Dunn: I served on the Rockwood school board from 2019-2022 and did not seek re-election in 2022.
As a member of the board, I served on the Policies Committee and was one of the Missouri School Board Association representatives. I was also president and vice president of Rockwood Swim Club and founded the Eureka Aquatics Booster Club, which provided me valuable insight and experience working with parents.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Rhomberg: There are multiple challenges. One is the recruiting, retention and support of high-quality teachers and staff. To attract and keep our staff, we need to ensure that our teachers and staff feel valued and appreciated in a supportive work environment.
Unknown legislation could affect the funding streams for the district and public education. Maintaining clear and consistent communication with all our stakeholders is essential. Being consistently clear sets the stage for audience engagement and support.
Clear communication is vital for conveying accurate information and avoiding misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
Milligan: Rockwood is an excellent school district. Any district, including Rockwood, has room for improvement. Many public schools are facing issues with partisan polarization of the board and school community.
The way to address this problem is for those elected to commit to keeping politics out of school board business.
We also need to work together to provide solutions to help minimize the impact of the looming teacher shortage on the district.
Dunn: ■ Student performance: We need to improve on how we reach the students who are underperforming and provide the teachers and students the support and tools they need to succeed.
■ Staff shortages (teacher, custodial, bus drivers, etc.): Ask questions of the administration and receive confirmation that they are exploring all different forms of recruitment, not just the traditional methods.
How can board members help the district deal with issues of diversity and equality?
Rhomberg: We are moving in the direction of belonging through a culture of dignity by focusing on education and access for all students.
Cassandra Walker Suggs, the department director, is working diligently with schools to build an awareness of what it means to be kind and respectful. She is having a positive impact. We need to build capacity for school leadership with clear and explicit vision while ensuring individualized education is owned by all stakeholders.
We need to create action plans that translate from theory to practice, thus providing a high-quality experience for all our students and staff.
Milligan: Each student comes to us with their own strengths and challenges, so the better we can include and support all students, the better every student will be educated when they walk out of our doors. Having a diverse group of students, teachers and staff with different backgrounds and abilities is a blessing and makes the community stronger. It is up to us to meet the students where they are and give them the support to reach their highest potential.
Dunn: Diversity and equality efforts should happen organically and should focus around including all students. Developing programs that benefit only a specific subgroup has the potential of alienating other subgroups. Board members can help the district by evaluating, asking questions, and supporting the administration in their efforts. Curtis Cain and his staff (Stephen Hankins and Suggs) have made improvements over the past 18 months and they should now be able to measure the success of any program that is developed.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Rhomberg: I am dedicated to ensuring that all our students succeed in reaching their greatest potential. I believe it is important that we focus on the recruitment, retention, and on-going support for our teachers and staff. Providing a safe learning and growing environment for our students and staff is essential for academic learning to take place. Creating a welcoming, inclusive space where students feel free to express themselves in service to their academic goals begins with how students are treated by teachers and peers, in interactions big and small. Teachers and staff need to feel appreciated and valued.
Milligan: My varied experience in education has prepared me well for the task of working with the board, the school administration, and teachers and staff to keep Rockwood a high-performing, continuously improving school district. My goal is to work together in a nonpartisan way to provide an environment where every student reaches their potential.
Dunn: I am a staunch supporter of public education and will always vote in a manner that maintains the quality education that the community expects from Rockwood. Having prior board experience means I can understand the procedures from Day 1. I am not accepting any campaign donations, therefore I am free of any outside influence. My goals are simple: A safe learning environment; find ways to reach students who are underperforming and continue to challenge all other students; and ensure that all funds are applied wisely to facilities and programs.
