Six candidates will vie for three open seats for the School District of Washington Board of Education election on Tuesday, April 7.

Voters will have the option to vote for three candidates.

Two incumbents and four newcomers are on the ballot. Board members are elected to three-year terms.

Candidates are Morgan "Mo" Hagedorn, Dan Leslie (incumbent), Dr. Kirstie Holtermann, Heather Johnson, Emma Menefee and Rob Horvath (incumbent). Profiles of each candidate are below.

Leslie, the current Board President, is seeking his third term on the Board. Horvath is seeking his second term.

Other members of the Board, including Leslie and Horvath, are Vice President Dr. Frank Wood, Kevin Blackburn, John Freitag, Kelly Brinkmann and Bob Oreskovic. Oreskovic is not seeking re-election and will leave the Board in April.

Morgan "Mo" Hagedorn

Mo Hagedorn moved to Washington from the Chicagoland area approximately 20 years ago after meeting her now husband, Tyler Hagedorn (a 2002 Washington High School graduate). They have been married for 17 years and have two children in the School District of Washington, one at Washington Middle School and one at South Point Elementary.

“While I didn’t graduate from Washington High School, I married into a Blue Jay family with deep roots here,” Hagedorn said.

Over the past eight years, Hagedorn has served in volunteer roles including PTSO events, the Parent Advisory Committee, and district strategic planning workshops. She’s also spent four years as a Director on the WINGS Educational Foundation board, facilitating the Jr. WINGS Board.

Professionally, Hagedorn is a business owner with a background in accounting and operations. She helps businesses bring clarity to their finances.

“The more involved I’ve become in the district over the years, the more I felt a pull to step up and serve in a bigger way,” Hagedorn said. “After attending board meetings over the last year, I saw great value in the parent perspective that current board members brought to discussions. With one of those members leaving in April, I wanted to give voters a chance to add another parent of School District of Washington students to the Board.

“I feel prepared to step into this role. Through attending meetings, I understand the cadence and responsibilities of the Board. I’m actively involved and present at many district events, making me accessible to families and staff. I’m an active listener who values thoughtful discussion, and my background in accounting gives me a strong understanding of financial oversight, including fund accounting.”

Hagedorn said her priorities center on student achievement, financial responsibility, and maintaining safe, supportive schools.

“My top priorities are student achievement, responsible financial stewardship, and safe, supportive schools,” she said. “Every student should leave our district prepared for college, a career, or the trades. That requires strong academics, transparent and thoughtful use of taxpayer dollars, and school environments where students and teachers feel safe, supported, and set up to succeed. I’m committed to working collaboratively with current board members to continue representing the School District of Washington well and making decisions in the best interest of students, staff, and our community.”

Hagedorn said her perspective as a parent and active volunteer shapes her approach to serving the district.

“As both a parent of two children in this district and an active volunteer, I see and hear firsthand how school decisions affect students, staff and families,” she said. “That keeps me grounded in what matters most - safe schools, strong teaching, and opportunities for every student to succeed. I believe parent voices are important at the board table, and I'd be honored to serve as that voice for our community. Go Jays!”

Dan Leslie

Currently the Board of Education President, Leslie seeks his third term after being elected in 2020.

Leslie is an attorney and municipal judge. He has lived in the Washington area for 37 years. His children attended the School District of Washington. His wife, Glenda, was a principal in the district for over 20 years before her retirement. Dan and Glenda have been married for 42 years. They have two children and five grandchildren.

“I made the decision to run for school board six years ago because I saw things in the district that I was not happy about. I wanted to better understand why things were happening. I wanted to learn about the running of the district and I believed that I could make a legitimate and valuable contribution to the Board of Education,” Leslie said.

Student achievement and retaining quality teachers and staff is a top priority for Leslie.

“My top priority will always be the education of students. Collateral to that is wanting to attract, retain and adequately pay our teachers and support staff,” Leslie said. “The education of students must be our top priority as education will follow each student for the rest of his or her life. I am always concerned about our reading and math scores. I have worked with our leadership to increase our literacy and math scores through tools and teaching methods that are having a positive effect.”

Leslie said his experience and service on the Board has prepared him to continue contributing in the role.

“I believe that I have contributed much to the Board over the last six years. I have served as President of the Board for the last four years. I have been active in the business of the Board. I have also been involved with legislation involving public schools. I have visited the Capitol several times. I attend legislative meetings where our representatives and senators are present so that I can discuss public education with our legislators,” Leslie said. “During my tenure on the Board, we gave the largest pay raise to our teachers that I believe they have ever received in a single year. I am proud of that. I would like the opportunity to serve on the Board for one more term.”

Dr. Kirstie Holtermann

Dr. Kirstie Holtermann grew up in Labadie and is a Washington High School graduate. Her husband, Alex, also is a WHS graduate. Together, they have two children, Matthew (5) and Kasey (2).

Holtermann is a physician anesthesiologist at Mercy Hospital in Washington. Beyond her professional duties, she coaches her son’s youth sports teams and has served on the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee for the School District of Washington.

“As a proud graduate of the School District of Washington, I’ve always felt grateful for the education and opportunities I received here. Now, as a parent of young children, that perspective feels even more personal. I care deeply about the experience our kids are having in these schools,” Holtermann said. “I decided to run because I want to give back to a district that has meant so much to me and help ensure it stays strong for the next generation. As a physician, I also bring a unique perspective, especially when it comes to decisions that impact student health, safety, and overall well-being.”

Holtermann’s priorities, if elected, include ensuring responsible use of district resources while maintaining strong community support.

“One of my top priorities is making sure we are being thoughtful and responsible with how we use our resources. That includes ensuring Proposition W funding, if passed, is implemented carefully and transparently to meet the real needs of our district,” she said. “I’m also focused on protecting the long-term financial stability of our schools, especially with ongoing uncertainty around public education funding at the state level. At the same time, I want to continue building on what our district already does well - strong community support. We’re fortunate to have families and local businesses that are invested in our schools, and I believe maintaining open communication and strong partnerships will be key to moving our district forward.”

Holtermann was an accomplished athlete during her time at WHS. She lettered in three varsity sports and still holds two track and field school records.

“I am a proud second-generation Blue Jay and care deeply about our local schools and community,” she said. “In our free time, my family enjoys attending WHS sporting events and band festivals, where we cheer on the Blue Jays and start sharing with our children the traditions and opportunities that make the School District of Washington so special.”

Heather Johnson

Heather Johnson is seeking a seat on the Board of Education with a connection to the community as a parent of three children (Victoria, 20, Nicholas, 18, and June, 13) who have attended Washington schools since 2013. Her decision to run is driven by a desire to become more involved and support students with a focus on ensuring all students have equal opportunities and a clear understanding of their options after graduation.

“My husband and I are actually Wentzville and Wright City graduates. He was in the army for eight years. When we moved back, we decided Washington was a nice place to raise our children and for school,” Johnson said. “I decided to run for the school board because I want to help our students more and be more involved.”

Johnson said she is focused on providing equal opportunities for students while helping them prepare for life after graduation.

“My top priorities while being on the Board, if elected, would be to make sure every student has the same opportunities as the next,” she said. “Also making sure that every student knows what all their choices are after graduation, while also maintaining the strengths of the district.”

Washington has become home for the Johnson family. 

“While my husband and I came to Washington as outsiders, I have tried to be more involved and active within the city,” Johnson said. “I feel very at home here and want to ensure that is the same for all newcomers, kids and adults.”

Emma Menefee

Emma Menefee is a home grown candidate in the School District of Washington, having attended South Point Elementary, Washington Middle School and Washington High School. She would like the opportunity to give back to the school community.

“This district is more than just a place on a map to me, its home. I grew up in this district, where dedicated teachers helped shape me and prepare me not just for tests, but for life,” Menefee said. “Service has always been part of my foundation. My father served as a local police officer for 42 years, and my mother worked for the state. Inspired by these examples, I enlisted in the United States Navy, where I learned accountability, teamwork, leadership, and the importance of putting people first. I’m also a lifelong learner, having earned degrees in political science, cybersecurity, human rights, and currently pursuing a master’s in data science. I’m running to give back to the district that shaped me and to help ensure every student has the same opportunity to succeed.”

Menefee said her decision to run is rooted in a desire to give back to the district and strengthen collaboration between teachers and the Board.

“This district invested in me, and instilled a love of learning that has continuously shaped my life. I feel a responsibility to give back to the community and the students and teachers,” she said. “I'm also running because I believe there is a real opportunity to strengthen the relationship between teachers and the school board. Teachers are on the front lines every day. They see what’s working, what’s not, and what students truly need. When their voices are heard and respected, students benefit. I want to help build a culture where that kind of collaboration is the norm, not the exception. I’m running to bring a fresh perspective, as a former student, a veteran, and someone who believes deeply in the value of education.

“I also see the importance of early intervention. Students learn at different levels, and it is critical that we recognize those differences early and provide the support they need to succeed. At the same time, I’m committed to strong academics, responsible budgeting, and safe, welcoming schools. I believe families deserve transparency and leaders who listen before making decisions. At the end of the day, we all want students to succeed and have real opportunities ahead of them.”

Menefee hopes to bring a thoughtful, transparent approach and a new perspective to the Board.

“I care deeply about this community because it’s home. I’m a product of this school district, and the education I received here helped shape the path I’ve taken from military service to continuing my education,” she said. “I believe in listening first and leading thoughtfully. That means being transparent, asking questions, and making decisions based on what’s best for students, not personal agendas. I’m committed to doing the work, staying engaged with the community, and helping move our schools forward in a way that benefits every student. I wish to bring a new generation of thinking to education.”

Rob Horvath

Rob Horvath seeks his second term after joining the Board in 2023.

Horvath was born and raised in Michigan and moved to Washington 19 years ago. Rob and his wife, Tracy, have four adult children, and recently became grandparents to a baby girl. He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and finance. He currently serves as vice president of a company that produces shade products such as canopies and umbrellas. In addition to serving on the Board of Education, he also is a member of the Elks Lodge, where he has served as the Chairman for the Special Needs Scholarship Committee.

“My connection to the School District of Washington is through family. My wife and her family are lifelong residents and we now have great nieces and nephews who are students in the district,” Horvath said. “Pre-covid, I traveled extensively and as such, could not commit to running for a spot on the Board of Education. Things changed, and as we moved through 2021 and 2022, I realized that I was going to have the ability to commit and to get involved. I saw an opportunity to dedicate my time and talents by running for a seat on the Board. It was my opportunity to give back to a community that has become my home. Since joining the Board, I have learned a tremendous amount about the School District of Washington and I’m proud to help serve my community in what I feel is one of the most important elected official roles.”

Horvath’s top priorities include preparing all students for success while continuing to strengthen district programs and operations.

“My top priority is the students - making sure we protect and prepare all students for each next step and to propel them to great heights post-graduation. No child left behind,” Horvath said. “I want to raise the bar by increasing the academic rigor throughout all buildings. I want to ensure that the district’s financial stability is maintained through strict fiscal responsibility and solid stewardship. I want to improve the student experience by revitalizing the existing buildings and facilities. I want to retain our talented teachers and staff and recruit top talent where needed. I want to continue to expand the opportunities that are given to our students academically, at Four Rivers Career Center, the arts and athletics.” 

Horvath has enjoyed his first term on the Board and hopes to serve a second.

“There are special moments that Board members get to witness such as graduation, kindergarten and elementary performances, FFA events, NJROTC ceremonies and more,” Horvath said. “We have a lot to be proud of in our district. My goal is to make a difference and affect a positive change.”