St. Charles Education Association - SCEA

SCEA leaders joined fellow MNEA leaders from across the area, as well as SDNEA members to stand against the negotiations impasse happening in special school district.

Show up for Special School District! Hope to see you at the meeting on May 26th! Wear your SCEA shirt!

We would like to like to recognize the following SCEA members who will be retiring at the end of the year:
Beth Wehmeier - Coverdell Elementary
Robin Veale - Hardin Middle School
Jennifer Painter - Hardin Middle School
Sean Bippen - Jefferson Intermediate
Mark Kostos - Lewis and Clark Career Center
Leslie Morgan - Monroe Elementary
Melissa Bippen - Monroe Elementary
Jennifer Centini - Monroe Elementary
Julie Hunter - St. Charles High
Lori Van Houten - St. Charles West
Leigh Reisinger - St Charles West
Thank you for the time, effort and passion you have put into educating students. Now, enjoy relaxing, sleeping in, spending time with loved ones, and living your best life.

Congratulations to our SCHS and SCW graduates!

Call Governor Kehoe at (573)751-3222, urging him to Veto SB 1002.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY RESIDENTS — THIS AFFECTS YOUR SCHOOLS ⚠️
🔴 IMPORTANT: This bill does NOT affect the rest of Missouri. It was originally drafted to apply statewide, but was scaled back to apply ONLY to school districts located in St. Charles County. We are being singled out.
On March 9, 2026, the St. Charles County Council (sponsored by Council Members Tim Baker and Joe Brazil) passed Resolution No. 26-04, formally urging the Missouri legislature to pass Senate Bill 1002. Yesterday, on the very last day of the legislative session (May 15), the Missouri House sent SB 1002 to Governor Kehoe's desk but not without drama.
SB 1002 initially FAILED on the House floor. A motion to reconsider was then filed, and on the second vote it passed.
So what does this bill actually do?
📅 Moves ALL St. Charles County school board elections from April to November general elections
🗓️ Extends all school board terms to four years
🏷️ Allows candidates to display party affiliation on the ballot
💰 Requires school tax measures to also go on the November ballot
We are OPPOSED to this, and here's why:
🔴 It injects partisan politics into LOCAL school board races. When school board candidates appear alongside presidential, congressional, and statewide partisan races, the conversation shifts away from our kids, our curriculum, and our local school budgets.
🔴 Local school board candidates can't compete in November. As the Missouri School Boards' Association pointed out, the fundraising required to be heard during a general election cycle is far beyond what most school board candidates can manage. Their voices — and ours — will get drowned out.
🔴 April elections exist for a reason. They allow voters to focus specifically on local candidates and local school issues — not get swept up in the noise of a presidential or statewide election cycle.
The bill passed the Senate 23-8 back in April and now heads to Governor Mike Kehoe, who has until approximately June 29, 2026 to sign or veto it.
📢 If you share these concerns, contact Governor Kehoe's office and urge a VETO. Our school boards should remain focused on our kids — not partisan politics.

Thank you St. Charles County Families for Public Schools for helping keep our public schools strong!

SCCFFPS Friends,

After four hard-fought election cycles and achieving our objective in grand style, we have determined that the time is right to wrap things up and to terminate the St. Charles County Families for Public Schools Political Action Committee. We could not have been more successful in our effort to elect school board members who support public education. Today, all 35 of St. Charles County’s school board members are passionate supporters of public education. Together, we were able to turn the tide from chaos and division into order and unity.

We are confident that the course has been set for success in the future for great school board candidates who will stand up for our kids, our teachers and our families, and who understand that a thriving community needs strong public schools!

Of course, the victories we enjoyed resulted from the work of a lot of people from many different organizations. The credit always first goes to the candidates. Much work remains and we will continue as individuals to be active and make a positive difference for our schools and on other fronts as opportunities present themselves and the need arises.

Please know it has been an honor to be partners with you along the way. We are forever grateful to our steering committee, supporters and donors for your supremely effective, unselfish and generous involvement in our vision. We are so glad that this journey has strengthened lifelong friendships that we will always cherish.

We'll see you down the road.

Pam Sloan
Mary Hendricks-Harris
Ted House

Never underestimate the power of specific praise.