Meet the candidates for the Mehlville Board of Education
Three Mehlville School District citizens have filed their candidacy for three positions on the Mehlville Board of Education. All positions are for three-year terms. The following information was provided by the candidates. District staff do not edit their responses. Candidates are listed as their names will appear on the ballot. The election for Mehlville Board of Education will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
Typically, an election isn’t held when the number of candidates matches the number of open seats. However, a fourth candidate filed and then withdrew their candidacy. According to Missouri state law, the district must hold an election since four candidates filed during the filing window.
Peggy L. Hassler
Hassler4BOE@gmail.com
Occupational, professional and educational background
Operations Manager/Paralegal at Keefe & Griffiths, P.C., Attorneys at Law (1986–present).
Mehlville High School graduate (1983); B.S. in Business Administration/Paralegal Certification, Lindenwood University.
Community organizations/memberships
25-year Mehlville School Dist. volunteer; Mehlville BOE (9 yrs); Policy, Communication, Facility, Finance & Insurance Committees; Co-Founder, Mehlville-Oakville United/Organizer, Props R, A, S, E & A; PTO/Booster Exec Boards (Blades, Bernard, OHS); Exec Director & State Council, Kids’ Chance of America; President/Exec Board, Kids’ Chance of MO; Exec Board, Mehlville-Oakville Education Foundation.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
I am running for re-election to continue providing experienced, steady leadership focused on strong schools, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning. After nine years of board service, and as a parent of three children educated in the district, I understand the importance of decisions that put students first. During my tenure, voter-approved initiatives have strengthened safety in every school building, improved facilities, and positioned the district to competitively compensate and retain high-quality staff. While maintaining one of the lowest tax rates in St. Louis County, I remain committed to building on this progress through academic excellence, student and staff safety, and thoughtful policies that keep our district strong for today’s families and future generations.
Information about your family
Married to Bill Hassler. Mother of three—Luke, Jake, and Madison—each educated in the Mehlville School District from kindergarten through high school. Mother-in-law to Kelsey, an ASL teacher who attended Mehlville School District schools and now teaches with Special School District (SSD). Mehlville residents for 28 years.
Jeff Wolman
jeff424242@sbcglobal.net
Occupational, professional and educational background
High School Diploma, Needham High School in Needham, MA, Class of 1988
BS in Computer Science, Washington University in St Louis MO, Class of 1992
MSBA Distinguished Board Member Certification with 100+ CE credits
Currently employed as an Enterprise Architect at Lightedge for over 21 years, with 19 years of that time at Connectria (purchased in 2024).
Community organizations/memberships
Jewish Community Center – Millstone Member, 2018 - 2020
OES PTO, 2016 - 2017
MOSAIC PTO - 2017 - 2020 (PTO Board Parliamentarian 2018 - 2019, PTO Board Secretary 2019 - 2020)
Bernard PTO - 2022-2024
Mehlville School Board - 2020 - current
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
This is an interesting question to answer now versus 6 years ago, when I was running for the board for the 1st time. When I first ran, with a 3rd grader and 1st grader, it was in the beginnings of Prop R and Prop A being voted and approved back in 2016. Back then, I had a vested interest in having the board do their best to help the district work to provide the best education for my children. Now, with six years and two terms of being on the board under my belt, I can look back at the things I've done in governance of the district - Prop S, Prop E, hiring Dr Haug, implementing the current strategic plan and ramping up to the new strategic plan, all in governance of the district helping all students excel to their best. Time for three more years of servant leadership for the district.
Information about your family
My wife, Natascha, who is my bedrock and anchor for almost 20 years. My two children, Ari, a 9th grader at OHS, and Ella, a 7th grader at Bernard, who make me a "girl dad", and are why I do what I do as a board member, day in, and day out. My two Lhasa Apso dogs, Ewok, and Peggy, who prove that raising four-legged furry kids can be just as challenging as raising the two-legged human variety.
Jean Pretto
emmajeanpretto@sbcglobal.net
Occupational, professional and educational background
Educator, private piano teacher, auto sales (27 years), administrator of learning center, Board of Education.
Community organizations/memberships
Chancel choir director Peace Lutheran Church, Children's Choir director Faith Lutheran Church, St. Anne's Sodality St. Francis of Assisi, Volunteer at Veteran's Administration.
Why did you decide to run for the school board?
Originally, because I wanted to be part of a board of education that believed that all decisions being made were for the improvement of the district and FOR the KIDS. At the time, kids were not the priority for some board members.
Information about your family
I was born on Forder Road and have never lived anywhere else but in the Mehlville School District. I married Joe Pretto 54 years ago. We had two daughters (both attended OHS). They gave us 8 wonderful grandchildren and three incredible great-grandchildren.