Newest SJSD Board of Education members bring experience and optimism

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The two newest members of the St. Joseph School District Board of Education believe the best days are ahead for the district.

Jennifer Kerns was elected, along with Kim Miller, in the April 8, 2025, election. Miller had previously served on the board, but Kerns is a first timer.

Tom Richmond was elected by the board in May after the resignation of Rick Gehring left an open seat.

Both Kerns and Richmond said bringing fresh eyes to the board in conjunction with large-scale administration changes can bring about a new vision for the future of the district.

"The current administration leaders have done a great job and have been helpful in this transition," Kerns said. "Although I hate to see them leave, I think the fact that we will all be learning together and sharing new ideas is a positive thing for the district."

Richmond, whose now-grown children received much of their education in St. Joseph, agreed.

"I certainly want to be a bridge," Richmond said. "I want to help us work together internally, and then we can work together with the administration to bridge the gap with the community. Jennifer and I are working together with other members toward those goals, and that's my sole purpose and hope for being involved on the board."

Richmond retired three years ago from Altec, while Kerns currently works for Oracle, after spending 17 years at Mosaic before that.

While serving, Richmond said he wants to continue to encourage teachers and staff by helping them provide what is needed to make students feel important and successful. Even with a few meetings under his belt, he said he believes the board and the community ultimately want this, too.

"I have had the opportunity to work on a number of non-profit boards, and some leadership experience at Altec in the past," Richmond said. "After all that, I still believe the school district is central when it comes to expressing our care for people. If we are able to show compassion and care for our community through our school district, we can turn any past confusion into a positive way forward."

Kerns, the top vote getter in the April election who ran unsuccessfully in 2023, said student advocacy, attendance and curriculum issues, as well as teacher and staff support, were key measures for her.

"I want to facilitate a positive experience on the board," Kerns said. "I want the community, including the teachers, parents and students, to know that they are being listened to."

This new experience for them is not without its challenges. Discussions about defunding education and the rise of school vouchers are a consistent source of conversation among teachers, staff and board members.

However, even though Kerns and Richmond have different views regarding some of these issues, both believe public education will continue to be a cornerstone of the St. Joseph community for all its residents.

"It comes down to community," Kerns said. "The whole community wants public education to succeed, no matter what else they support. You can tell that our community is passionate about the school district."

Richmond said even though he doesn't have a problem with vouchers, he is not afraid of them and feels the community wants its school district to succeed.

"Every parent has a responsibility to figure out what's the best thing for their own children," Richmond said. "We still have so many in the community who benefit from the public school system, and our community still wants the public system to be good. We have a real chance for that to be the case in St. Joseph."

With their experience, optimism and the passion they bring to their new positions on the board, both Kerns and Richmond believe the board and its new administrative leadership have a unique opportunity.

"We have to figure out how we use the resources we have to best serve the general public through our education system," Richmond said.