Meet the candidates for the Mehlville Board of Education
Posted on 02/25/2025
Four Mehlville School District citizens have filed their candidacy for two positions on the Mehlville Board of Education. Both positions are three-year terms. The following information was provided by the candidates. Candidates are listed as their names will appear on the ballot.
District staff do not edit their responses.
Megan Paule
Occupational, professional and educational background:
I have been working in the Human Resources field for 6 years and am currently a HR Generalist and oversee payroll, policies, employee relations, benefits/401k, compliance, and recruiting. I received my Associates from Meramec Community College and my Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Missouri State University. Go Bears!
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I graduated from Beasley Elementary, Bernard Middle School, Oakville Highschool (Class of 2012) and still reside in Oakville. It is now my time to give back to the community that has given me so much. I am thrilled to be considered to serve on the Mehlville School Board and am excited about the potential opportunity to assist in the improvement of academic achievement, advocate for the students and to support the district as a whole. With my professional experience in Human Resources and my 23 years’ experience living in the district, I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact in this role. It is important that the administrators, staff, parents and students feel supported and heard. It would be a true privilege to serve on the Mehlville School Board.
Information about your family:
My dad was a Master Chief in the Navy, my mom is a gifted teacher in the Mehlville School District, my oldest sister is a police dispatcher, my younger sister is a teacher in Orlando, my younger brother is a Marine Engineer and my youngest brother works at Boeing. I also have a white lab named Chief, that I absolutely adore.
Ann Zimpfer
[email protected]
Occupational, professional and educational background:
I am a retired educator, having spent 25-plus years in the Mehlville School District in a variety of capacities. I am proud of my professional experience as an educator.
I hold a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Southeast Missouri State University and a M.ED from Southwest Baptist University.
As an education advocate for over 30 years, I have worked in a number of different capacities:
Mehlville School District - 25 + years, retired in May, 2020
Parent Educator
Classroom teacher
Forder Elementary -Kndg. teacher
Bierbaum Elementary- Kndg. teacher
Point Elementary - Kndg. and 1st grade teacher
PAT Dial Screener- John Cary ECE
Festus R-IV
1st and 2nd grade teacher
Children’s House Montessori School - Hillsboro, MO.
Community organizations/memberships:
TASK (Team Activities for Special Kids - Volunteer
Mehlville School District Legislative Advocacy Committee -member
MRTA (Missouri Retired Teachers Association) - member
NEA Retired - member
Oakville Township Democratic Committeewoman
Oakville Democratic Organization - Exec. Board member
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
As a retired educator, I am uniquely qualified to understand the public school system and I also value our state’s responsibility to provide every student in Missouri with a free public education and enable equal opportunity for all. That said, most of my teaching has been here in our community in the Mehlville School District.
My experience teaching in the district provides me with strong insight into our district’s needs. I have also informed my perspective through the relationships I had with my students, their families, and colleagues across the district and I want to continue to advocate for them. I want to bring that knowledge and experience as well as those connections to the community to the table as the board continues to make decisions that help our students learn and grow.
Information about your family:
I have been a member of this community for over 30 years. This is the community we call home.
Our sons attended Blades and Trautwein Elementary, Washington and Bernard Middle and Oakville High School. Our older son attended Southview School in the Special School District. Both my husband and I were active in our children’s schools, serving on PTOs and district wide committees.
Serene Wilkinson
[email protected]
Occupational, professional and educational background:
I have been a social service provider to children and families within the St. Louis region for over twenty years. This includes: working in residential treatment homes supporting foster youth, uplifting families out of crisis through my work as an intensive in-home therapist in our surrounding rural counties, healing children and families struggling with mental and behavioral challenges as a family therapist in St. Louis City and County, and currently coordinating and managing a home visiting program serving parents and their children all over the St. Louis Region.
Bachelors of Arts in Psychology (2003)
Master of Social Work (2010)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (2015)
Community organizations/memberships:
Worked within non-profit social services agencies my entire career that serve children and families within the St. Louis community. PTO Member at Forder for 3+ years, currently PTO VP this year. Fundraising committee for PTO for three years. Works for an affiliate of Healthy Families America for 4+ years supporting families and their children.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I’m running to strengthen our community through promoting fiscal responsibility to prioritize funding for classrooms, school safety, academics, & the well-being of students, staff, & families. My focus includes optimizing current funding to address the whole child—academically & emotionally. My work experience provides me with a deep understanding of how mental health, trauma, & emotional challenges affect others, guiding me to advocate for policies that increase district-wide well-being. I aim to foster stronger partnerships between schools, families, and the community, promote anti-bullying initiatives, & support staff retention. With my professional background, I can advance constructive discussions, build consensus, & bridge diverse perspectives to create a more united school district.
Information about your family:
I grew up understanding what it meant to care for people because my mother is a nurse and my father a counselor. I’ve been married 13 years to my handy and creative husband Eric, who works for the VA at Jefferson Barracks. We have 2 children in the MSD, a boisterous and sweet 4th grader and a lively Gen Alpha 6th grader. Both kids are in Scouts, and we share our home with 2 lazy but lovely cats.
Mick Johnson Jr.
[email protected]
Occupational, professional and educational background:
15+ years of Sales Consulting where I worked with small businesses on how to use technology to improve their business production. I also helped as a consultant to help budget small businesses work more efficiently and to stay technological competitive.
In the past, I have worked on campaigns for The President of the United States, the Governor of Missouri and The Mayor of St Louis City. I have also worked on several State Rep campaigns as well as several ballot initiatives.
I hold a MA from Webster University in Public Policy and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Saint Louis University I also interned under the Missouri Governor.
Community organizations/memberships:
Proposition E Committee Member where we passed pay increases for teachers and administrators.
Proposition S Finance Committee to discuss distribution of funds accords the district
Kirkwood/Des Peres Chamber of Commerce
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
As a parent of a 5th grader with special needs, I saw the progress she has made when special education was offered to her. She was eligible for Early Childhood Development starting in PreK, but lost services during Covid. Even though she was clinically diagnosed with a learning disability, it took another 2 years to receive help again. I want to make sure every child has an opportunity to receive additional classroom assistance easier.
I also wanted to give back to our teachers and administrators for the help they have given my family, so I joined the committee for Proposition E. Passing Prop E increases pay to teachers and administrators to make sure we can attract the best talent and retain the great talent we currently have. I want to make sure the board is fiscally responsible as well.
Information about your family:
My wife and I decided to move to the Mehlville School District 12 years ago because of the quality of schools. I have a 5th grader who has attended Wohlwend, Beasley, Twautwein and Rogers. My mother was a retired teacher at Cor Jesu Academy for 35 years and my father was a St Louis City Police Office until he was forced to retire when injured in the line of duty.
Board of Education election is April 8, 2025
The election for Mehlville Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. For election information, including polling locations and sample ballots, visit the St. Louis County Board of Elections website.