Three candidates are running for election for the Rockwood Board of Education. There are two, three-year term positions open. Election Day is April 2, 2024.

Tom Dunn 

Q: What made you decide to run for the Rockwood School Board?

A: When I first decided to run for the School Board in 2019, although it was only five years ago, things were very different in the district. I had attended and spoken at board meetings and realized the only way to have a voice on matters is to become a part of it. So, I ran in 2019 and was successfully elected. Fast forward to 2024, and that same philosophy holds true, which is why I decided to run for the School Board.

Q: What would you hope to accomplish by being on the Board of Education?

A: As a Board Member, you are one of seven voices. The board’s goal is to ensure that the district maintains the level of educational excellence that the community expects for all students.  My goal is to review a few policies that need to be tweaked, the students and teachers have all the tools they need to succeed and that the district spends taxpayer dollars wisely.

Q: What separates you from the other candidates?

A: I’m the only candidate who is also a parent with kids attending Rockwood schools, who’s not connected to any organizations and I’m the only candidate not taking donations, as I’m self funding my campaign.

Q: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

A: I feel serving on the board is an honor, and truly enjoyed being a part of it and knowing that our decisions play a role in the success of all students. I’m a Missouri State High School Activities Association swim official and my daughter, Piper, is a Junior at Lafayette.

Phil Milligan

Q: What made you decide to run for the Rockwood School Board?

A: As teachers, my wife and I moved to Rockwood along with our one year old daughter in 1989. I taught band in Rockwood (LHS, Crestview and RVMS) for 11 years. My wife taught in Rockwood for 23 years, 22 at Woerther Elementary. Both my daughters are K-12 Rockwood products. Both daughters graduated from Eureka High School. Sarah is a Special Education teacher for the Special School District at Geggie Elementary School, and Emily is an administrator at the Special School District for Woerther and Ballwin elementary schools and Selvidge Middle School. To say that Rockwood has been good to my family would be a gross understatement. I feel that it is time to give something back to the district that has given so much to us.

Q: What would you hope to accomplish by being on the Board of Education?

A: Rockwood is a world class school district. I would like to be a part of keeping that status while also having a collective mindset of continual growth. As good as we are, we can always get better. When we know better, we do better.

I believe that partisan politics has no place on the school board. We are all on the same side, that of the students of this school district. I would like to be a part of cultivating that “one team” mindset by listening deeply to, and communicating with the other members of the board, the administration, the teachers, the parents, the students and those who are taxpayers who do not have children in the district, like me.

Q: What separates you from the other candidates?

A: In addition to teaching for 17 years, I was a building administrator for 12 years. I served in that capacity on a part time basis for another 5 years in retirement. I have developed the communication, negotiation and leadership skills necessary to help guide a district of this size.

I have spent my adult life in education. I have spent that time learning, teaching and working to improve the educational outcome for thousands of students. I would like to continue that on the RSD Board of Education.

Q: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

I know it sounds cliché, but our students are our future. I look at the things accomplished by my former students and I am so proud of the adults they have become. I would like to think that I was able to help pave the way for them to realize their dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, teachers, professional musicians, professional athletes, great moms and dads and any of hundreds of other outstanding accomplishments. I am fairly certain that my former students know that I will always consider them my students and that I will always be here if they need me. I want to have that same relationship with the 20,000 or so students of the Rockwood School District. I may not get to know all of them, but I will consider them my students if I am elected. Our students really are our future; as a district, as a nation and as human beings.

Tamara Rhomberg

Q: What made you decide to run for the Rockwood School Board?

A: Rockwood is recognized locally and nationally as an outstanding school district. As an incumbent school board director, I believe that I can continue to support the vision and mission of the school district. I believe public education has the responsibility of providing high-quality education opportunities to all students. Our school board has worked diligently to establish a trusting relationship between board members, to understand the role of governance rather than management and to establish a solid working relationship with the administration. I believe that my continuing to serve on the board would add to the continuation of those goals.

Q: What would you hope to accomplish by being on the Board of Education?

A: As an incumbent board member, I want to continue the work that we have begun in creating a culture of dignity and belonging for everyone in the district. We have worked diligently to recognize that, while we may have differences of opinions, all issues can be addressed with civility and respect. I believe it is important that the board provide opportunities for the community to have a platform for sharing their concerns and celebrations for what is happening in our schools. I would hope to establish open and transparent venues for that conversation to occur in the future. 

The issues of staffing are of concern for our district and I want to see that we continue to seek out all possible solutions, from advertising to part-time employees to redistributed workloads. We must support our teachers and staff, who are working tirelessly to educate our students.

Q: What separates you from the other candidates?

A: I have a diverse background in education and leadership, which provides me with the knowledge and experience to govern with a wide lens of perspectives. I offer an objective stance and can ask tough questions without being offensive or defensive. I am a logical thinker, which allows me to be proactive, rather than reactive in planning for the district. Each decision made by the board has ripple effects on the day-to-day operation of the district, so a long-range plan must be examined for both intentional and unintentional outcomes. I have the attribute of being a good listener and learning from others, which enables me to engage in finding a mutual resolution to issues.

Q: Do you have anything else you would like to add?

A: I encourage all Rockwood residents to vote on April 2 as advocates for their children and their school district. Each vote counts. Together we can make Rockwood a premier district that serves all our students and offers all students opportunities to meet their needs and fulfill their potential. I would ask for their vote so I can continue to be instrumental in accomplishing that goal.