The Rockwood School District’s Board of Education will have at least two new members, and possibly three, as only one incumbent is seeking re-election on April 4.
Lynne Midyett, the current board vice president, is seeking re-election. Thomas Dunn, Karen (Kary) Bachert, Trisha Katzfey, Richard Wierzba and Robert (Bob) Cadigan also are running for one of the three open seats.
Keith Kinder, who has served on the board since 2011, and Randy Miller, who was elected to the board in 2017, are not seeking re-election.
Board members, who serve three-year terms, are unpaid.
MIDYETT, 71, lives in Clarkson Valley with her spouse, Lin. They have two daughters and five granddaughters. Midyett retired from the Special School District of St. Louis County, where she had been a teacher, assistant principal, area coordinator, director and assistant superintendent. She received a degree in education administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a master’s in special education from Southern Illinois University and an elementary education degree from the University of Missouri in Columbia.
DUNN, 54, lives in Wildwood with his wife, Lindsey. They have three daughters. Dunn is a commercial sales manager with Rapiscan Systems. He received a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from Bradley University. He served on the Rockwood Board of Education from 2019 to 2022.
BACHERT, 49, lives in Wildwood with her husband, Jason. They have two sons. Bachert is the director of school engagement for the American Heart Association. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
KATZFEY, 41, of Eureka is a master sergeant in the Missouri Army National Guard as a senior human resources noncommissioned officer for the 35th Military Police Brigade at Jefferson Barracks. She and her husband, David, have three children.
She is attending Maryville University. Her military education includes every level enlisted professional development with an undergraduate certificate in leadership and workforce development.
WIERZBA, 54, lives in Wildwood. He has three sons. Wierzba has owned a multi-state trash and recycling company for the past 28 years. He attended Bradley University and Northern Illinois University.
CADIGAN, 63, lives in Wildwood with his wife, Denise. They have four children and a grandchild. Cadigan has a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a masters’ in business administration from the University of Kansas.
What experience do you have (elected office, civic organizations, volunteer work, etc.) that might serve you well in this position?
Midyett: I was appointed to the board in June 2016 due to a mid-year vacancy and have served two terms. I am also a member of the Special School District’s Governing Council, Education Plus’ Board of Directors, CHADS Coalition for Mental Health, University of Missouri School of Education’s Alumni Board, Assistance League St. Louis Missouri’s Council of Administrators of Special Education, BJC’s Behavioral Health Advisory Board, parent teacher organizations and volunteer at Kehrs Mills Elementary.
Dunn: I was a member of Rockwood’s Board of Education from 2019 to 2022. I founded the Eureka High School Aquatics Booster Club and have served as the vice president and president of the Rockwood Swim Club.
Bachert: I taught in Rockwood from 1995-2003 at Crestview, Wild Horse and Kehrs Mill, twice earning teacher of the year honors. I have been a PTO president at EHS and Pond, PTO Presidents Forum president and served on multiple school and district committees. In 2017, I co-chaired the Citizens for Better Schools Prop T campaign and received the Rockwood Rose Award. I volunteer for Delta Gamma Center, Room at the Inn and Pathfinder Church.
Katzfey: I am very experienced in government operations within the military, I have extensive leadership experience in policy writing, human resources and advocating for other soldiers. I have eight years of experience as a credentialed victim advocate, assisting others when they are in times of crisis. I have also volunteered in schools, VFW halls and churches.
Wierzba: Through starting, growing and managing a small business, I make decisions that meet the needs of both employees and customers, so, I am ready to balance the interests of all our students, teachers and parents. Managing financial aspects of my business has prepared me to handle the fiduciary responsibilities of the board director position. As a candidate, I’ve been meeting with teachers, parents and taxpayers to find out what others think is working or not.
Cadigan: I have more than 40 years of leadership and management experience earned while in the military and in for-profit and non-profit organizations that I hope to use to help the Rockwood School District. I believe I can add value to the board in communications, policy direction, operations and financial oversight.
What are the biggest problems facing the district and how would you address them?
Midyett: I see opportunities for improvement, not problems. I will promote collaboration and accountability of Rockwood’s strategic plan to ensure all students are meeting their potential. I will promote open conversations with community stakeholders and transparency of district operations to restore unity in Rockwood. I will collaborate with our superintendent, CFO and director of facilities to ensure the needed financial resources and operations to maintain safe and updated facilities.
Dunn: Student achievement and community relations are two areas that may be improved. I will evaluate what changes were implemented at the beginning of decline and work with administration to make adjustments. I will be accessible to all members of the Rockwood community and answer their questions or direct them to the proper person in administration.
Bachert: I will put education over politics. We must unite as a district, putting students at the center of all decisions. I will prioritize listening to our community, gathering information and considering the impact when I vote. The U.S. is experiencing a teacher shortage. To provide the high-quality education that Rockwood families expect, we must recruit and retain the best teachers by providing competitive salaries and benefits. Many Rockwood buildings are 30-plus years old with deferred maintenance district wide. We must address the budget so our schools remain safe places to learn and grow.
Katzfey: Rockwood is a top tier district, but we can always do better. Test scores are down, staff turnover is up and it’s a challenge to hire support staff. We need to focus on the fundamentals of education and core curriculum rather than chasing after the latest buzzword from progressive education consultants. I will work to connect with parents and taxpayers, so the district’s programs and policy match the values we share in the community.
Wierzba: We need to focus on academic excellence, get away from political ideology and have better transparency. We have a good district, but we can’t progress unless we know all the information, both good and bad. Our state standardized test scores have been in a general decline over the last decade. That’s something many people don’t know. Students are doing worse now than a decade ago. We need to look at programs in our schools and refocus our resources when needed. We need to stop putting too much on our teachers, and we need to pay them better.
Cadigan: Like many districts post-COVID, Rockwood has an opportunity to move forward by re-engaging parents and teachers in dialogue to help create an exceptional learning environment for students. We need to ensure parents are involved with what children do in the classroom, our curriculum and the district’s overall direction. Many schools are facing staffing and retention challenges. We need to get in front of these issues with action in order to maintain high quality teachers in our schools. With parents and teachers both engaged, supporting our students will only improve upon an already great reputation for Rockwood schools and our graduates.
Why should voters elect you to this position? List your goals, if elected.
Midyett: With more than 31 years of service in public education, including assistant superintendent at the Special School District and six-plus years on the Rockwood Board of Education, I have developed executive leadership skills, expertise in school improvement processes and knowledge of budget development. I understand the importance of community engagement and teamwork. My goals are to increase academic excellence in a safe and caring learning environment, exemplar instructional practices for all learners, recruit and retain top talent at all levels of the district, stellar strategic planning and accountability measures, fiscal responsibility and having award-winning budget processes.
Dunn: My previous experience on the board and making decisions based on common sense, logic and compromise. My goals are to help teachers and students elevate all standardized testing scores, bring all schools and facilities to parity across the district and ensure safety in all buildings and maintain responsible fiscal management and asset oversight.
Bachert: When I say, “I’m for the kids,” that truly comes from the heart. I want our school district to provide the top-notch education we have consistently worked to deliver each and every year, where all students have a safe and secure learning environment. Throughout the past 27 years, I’ve been focused on the kids of Rockwood. As a classroom teacher and school volunteer my focus is on our students and the well-being of our schools. “I’m for the Kids” isn’t a campaign slogan. It’s what I believe and have worked to do all my adult life.
Katzfey: The voters’ values in Rockwood differ greatly from other areas of the country. Rockwood voters deserve to have a school board that represents the values they take to the voting booth. My goal is to ensure our children’s education is not clouded by political propaganda. We can accomplish this by concentrating on core curriculum and education fundamentals. I want to ensure our kids maintain their innocence while receiving a world class education.
Wierzba: We need a better-balanced school board. Right now, five of the seven directors are from the education side and are endorsed by the RNEA and teachers union. As a small business owner raising three boys, I have a vastly different perspective, set of skills and experience compared to my esteemed educator colleagues. I am seeing the products of our schools in the real world. I have young graduates working for me that are not prepared for the responsibilities of the job or life. I want to help change that by emphasizing academics, rather than race or gender.
Cadigan: I will bring three things to the Rockwood school board: Common sense solutions to solving problems, the integrity and principles learned from West Point and 11 years in service to our country and the operational experience gained over 30 years in the civilian sector getting things done through teamwork, cooperation and mutual respect. I hope to be a team member on a board that leads our district to improved teacher recruitment and retention, strong parental engagement, sound district financials and high academic achievement from students who are highly visible in the news and social media for their outstanding achievements.
How can board members help the district deal with issues of diversity and equality?
Midyett: Board directors can support the district with issues of diversity and equality by modeling civility and respect., becoming knowledgeable of relevant board policies, understanding current initiatives and programs and review connection to the strategic plan and student success, participating on leadership committees and by actively involving diverse students, staff and patrons in dialogue and collaborative problem solving.
Dunn: As a board member, it is our responsibility that every student should receive an excellent education in Rockwood schools and be held to a high academic expectation. A Rockwood education is a partnership between students, parents and teachers, ensuring that students come to school ready and prepared to learn each day. We will provide every Rockwood student with an equal opportunity to receive high-quality instruction regardless of their race, gender or other orientation.
Bachert: School board members serve as advocates for all students. It is important that board members work collaboratively as a team with the superintendent and administration to provide a safe and secure learning environment for all students to thrive.
Katzfey: It is the board’s responsibility to ensure that resources and opportunities are available to all students. I believe in individual rights and do not tolerate racism or bullying of any type. We can work together to celebrate our unique gifts without drawing the students into political battles over race relations. The board can require third-party vendors and presenters to check their politics at the door. We don’t have to spend tax dollars on politically motivated education consultants.
Wierzba: We can ensure that policies and programs lead to academic excellence for our students and no longer emphasize what divides us. We’ve been focusing on separateness, and it’s not working. It’s time for a change. Regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation, our students will be the next leaders of our communities. We need to set the tone in our schools that their skills and interests are what matters most and will lead to success in life. We should punish bullying and harassment, and balance that with the message that what someone else says or does, does not define us.
Cadigan: The board sets the tone. We must set the example and provide leadership and support to the administration and the school district. The board must show that it is not divided on this issue, or any issue, by partisan divides, but rather is united that all students deserve equal opportunity and support to help achieve their full potential.
What should local school boards do in response to state officials’ actions to oversee school curriculum?
Midyett: It is the collective responsibility of local boards of education to ensure students, parents and educational leaders determine curriculum that is relevant to their district. Rockwood’s process is each curriculum program review includes a survey sent to district parents, teachers and students. Parent representatives from each building meet each semester to receive curriculum updates and provide feedback concerning district curriculum work. Prior to presenting to the Rockwood Board of Education, a public review is scheduled with parents and patrons. The Rockwood Learning Council reviews and approves curriculum to be sent to the Rockwood Board of Education for approval.
Dunn: Establishing a curriculum is primarily a state and local responsibility and restricting or adding certain subject matter to curriculum is certainly within the rights of states. Our district needs to participate in this discussion with state education leaders but also take control of our own curriculum to align with local values and responsive parent input.
Bachert: As an elected board member, it is my duty to uphold state laws. Rockwood is a leader in the state when it comes to developing curriculum and academic standards. I believe in local control of the school district because I feel our seven elected school board members are in touch with our communities, better able to engage with all stakeholders and best represent the wants and needs of our constituents.
Katzfey: There are checks and balances at all levels of government to ensure public entities are operating appropriately and legally. The schools are governed by the Missouri Board of Education, so Rockwood should follow the law and adhere to the state standards. The state standards give teachers wide latitude to be innovative. I don’t see a need for the Rockwood school board to challenge state standards.
Wierzba: We should stop the overreach into areas parents want to handle. Let’s face it, if our schools hadn’t started adding political messages about privilege and oppression into lesson content and reading assignments, state legislators wouldn’t be involved. We all want all our students to feel seen and valued, but this current approach has caused more division, not less. We need to reevaluate policies so that we address students’ needs individually, when needed, rather than using core class time for mental health discussions or social justice activism. They are a distraction, and they get in the way of academics.
Cadigan: Openness and transparency are the keys to communicating with the state and our local community. While all school boards must support legislation passed by the government, the best way to handle current curriculum issues is to get out in front of them. Our curriculum should be available for inspection, review and feedback. Did you know Rockwood’s curriculum is posted online? Did you know parents are always surveyed each revision cycle and can already provide input? Did you know the curriculum goes through multiple stages and reviews before reaching the Rockwood school board for approval?