New Appointments: Gretchen Duckworth, Cierra Griffin, and Michelle Rodemeyer Join Team

Michelle Rodemeyer, Gretchen Duckworth and Kris Scheperle have been elected to fill three open seats on the Jefferson City Board of Education following the election held on April 7, 2026.

The three winners secured their positions over other candidates, including Cierra Griffin, Trent Vallandingham, Ryan Towner, and James Kindred Sr. Michelle Rodemeyer received the highest number of votes in the election, totaling 2,521.

Candidate Backgrounds and Priorities

The incoming board members bring various professional backgrounds to the district’s governance. Michelle Rodemeyer is an accountant, Gretchen Duckworth is a human resources manager, and Kris Scheperle also earned a seat on the board.

During the campaign, candidates addressed several critical issues facing the school district. Key topics of discussion included student behavior, rising expenses, and teacher retention.

Additional areas of focus among the candidates ranged from mental health support and student attendance to the implementation and use of artificial intelligence within classrooms.

Election Context and Board Transitions

The April 2026 election follows a period of transition for the Jefferson City Board of Education. The three open seats were created following the departures of board members Brad Bates, Scott Hovis, and Suzanne Luther, as well as the departure of Board President Erika Leonard in January 2026.

The voting process included both early voting and election-day polling. According to reports, candidates Trent Vallandingham, Ryan Towner, and Gretchen Duckworth voted on the morning of the election, while Cierra Griffin and Gretchen Duckworth had previously cast their ballots during the early voting period the week prior.

On the day of the election, several candidates hosted watch parties to track the results. Michelle Rodemeyer hosted her event at West Main Pizza, Gretchen Duckworth held hers at Towne Grill, and Cierra Griffin hosted at Indigo Buffalo.

Statements from New Members

Following the announcement of the results, the new members expressed their commitment to the community and the school district.

I’m excited to get to work, I’m honored by the trust our community has placed in me and I’m committed to serving the entire district and our teachers and support staff.

Michelle Rodemeyer

Gretchen Duckworth also shared her gratitude toward the voters in Jefferson City and Holt Summit, stating that she intends to continue working for the students, families, and the broader community.

Kris Scheperle was unavailable for comment at the time of the reporting.