Brian Matz is seeking a full, three-year term on the school board following a one-year term he has served to fill a prior vacancy on the board. He brings to the board more than two decades experience as a college educator and administrator. He has been a resident of the district for ten years. He and his wife have four children. One is a recent graduate of MRH; the other three are current students, and they have been through all the schools in the district. The increasing excellence and diversity in the district were what drew Brian and his family to it a decade ago, and he is excited to continue to strengthen these features in the district for the years to come. He wants the district also to be a destination employer for the best teachers in the St. Louis region and has worked this past year on initiatives to ensure MRH is competitive in the market. He is proud to have the endorsement of the South County Labor Club, which represents a group of trades and teacher unions. 

My name is Julie Francois and I am excited to be joining the MRH Board of Education. I live in Maplewood with my husband, Kevan Fruendt, and two children. Max (or Max-a-roni as he prefers to go by) is a 6th grader and Anna is a 4th grader at MRH Elementary. Kevan and I have called St. Louis home for over 25 years; he moved here for work, and I to pursue my Ph.D in biochemistry. Today, Kevan serves as a Senior Internal Audit Manager at Enterprise Bank and Trust, and I work as a Global Regulatory Manager for cotton crops at Bayer. 

My training as a scientist, combined with my professional experience and extensive volunteer work in finance and people management, has equipped me well for this role. My commitment to our community is evident through my volunteer efforts, particularly as an active leader of the MRH PTO. 

I commit to staying informed about all state and federal legislative proposals related to public education, inclusion, and funding. My passion for this is fueled by my family's need for public education, as my oldest child has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) through the SSD (Special School District). I will always advocate for all our students at all levels. 

I understand our district needs to act thoughtfully and carefully, especially with the current climate regarding public school funding, curriculum and challenges to inclusion of all students. Despite these obstacles, it is crucial to maintain MRH’s identity, traditions and distinctive teaching metaphors.

I look forward to connecting with you, my neighbors, to learn what you want to prioritize and value in our school. Together we can do great things!