Three candidates on ballot to fill two open positions on Pattonville Board of Education; one candidate withdraws after filing

Three candidates filed to be placed on the April 8 election ballot to fill two open seats each with a three-year term on the Pattonville Board of Education, however one of the candidates has since decided to withdraw their name from the ballot. Those who filed are, in order of filing, incumbent Mary Kay Campbell, incumbent Dr. Dan Wentz and Dr. Summer Johnson. On Jan. 17, Johnson shared her intent to withdraw from the election, and her statement is below. Because she withdrew before candidate certification, her name will not be on the ballot. An election will still take place due to there being more candidates than open board seats at any time during candidate filing. Board members whose terms are expiring are Campbell and Wentz. Find out more about each candidate below.

Mary Kay Campbell (incumbent)

A 31-year resident of Pattonville, Campbell is a retired Special School District (SSD) teacher who taught in Pattonville for 32 years. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in special education from Fontbonne University. She is currently employed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a recycling coordinator. A resident of Maryland Heights, she is the mother of two Pattonville graduates, one from the Class of 2006 and one from the Class of 2009. 

Volunteerism/Experience

“I have served on the Pattonville school board for 10 years. I have been a member and officer of the Bridgeton Kiwanis Club for eight years and a volunteer at KidSmart for 13-plus years. I have been an Oasis volunteer for five years working with students in Pattonville elementary schools.” 

Statement of Purpose

“As a retired SSD teacher, serving in Pattonville for 32 years, I have a unique perspective of where the district was, where we are and how we need to continue to grow. Serving Pattonville remains a priority as I believe our community is stronger when our public schools excel.”
 

Dr. Dan Wentz (incumbent)

A 31-year resident of Pattonville, Wentz is a veterinarian and owner and president of the Ferguson Animal Hospital. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A Bridgeton resident, he and his wife, Julie Wentz, are the parents of four children, three who are Pattonville graduates, one from the Class of 2006, Class of 2020 and Class of 2023.

Volunteerism/Experience

“I have served on multiple 501c3 boards for over 25 years. Have been involved in many youth mentoring programs. I am an Eagle Scout. Have been recognized for excellence by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis Business Journal, as well as being a finalist for America’s Favorite Veterinarian.”

Statement of Purpose

“I wish to help provide every student is educated in a safe and secure environment. In this setting, they become proficient in reading, writing, math, science and life lessons. To keep politics out of the curriculum. To be a good steward of the taxpayer’s money.” 

Dr. Summer Johnson

On Jan. 17, Johnson withdrew her name from the election ballot. Johnson's statement is:

"To the Pattonville School District:

I am withdrawing from the 2025 Pattonville Board of Education race. I did not receive the endorsement of the Pattonville NEA. To my knowledge, no person of color has been able to win the Pattonville Board of Education race without their support. I have attempted to do so three times previously and have been unsuccessful.

I would like to thank my many supporters for their encouragement since 2019, during my repeated attempts to earn a seat at this table. Unfortunately, low voter turnout associated with municipal races and lack of union support does not give me the numbers that I need to bolster my candidacy and to put me over the top in this election. I will continue to do the work within my son’s school and within District committees to ensure that we have a voice.

As stated within my submitted personal statement, Pattonville is rich in tradition and strong in its adherence to its ideals. It is important that we continue to look at our cultural landscape and figure out how to best use it to boost student achievement. Many opportunities to do so have been overlooked and this will take its toll on students and their families. I continue to have hope for progress.

Best wishes to Mary Kay Campbell and Dr. Dan Wentz.

Sincerely,

Summer D. Johnson, PsyD"

Previously published information:

A nine-year resident of Pattonville, Johnson works as a clinical psychologist at the Family Court of St. Louis County. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Truman State University and a master’s degree from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology and a doctorate from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, both in clinical psychology. She is a resident of St. Louis County and the mother of an eighth grader at Pattonville Heights Middle School.

Volunteerism/Experience

“I currently serve on the District's CSIP Committee, the Parent Advisory Council, and am the PTO President at Pattonville Heights.”

Statement of Purpose

“Pattonville is rich in tradition and strong in its adherence to its ideals. We have a beautiful cultural landscape that requires addressing the challenges and opportunities it brings. My hope is to assist the District in addressing these challenges while still maintaining the standards of excellence we hold dear.”