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Students and teachers urge board to back Prop L for safety while some community members oppose district debt extension
Summary
Students, teachers and union supporters told the Wentzville R‑IV Board of Education they support Prop L for school safety and to protect staff; one educator urged voters to reject the district—ond as a debt extension. Speakers also defended the local teachers ssociation against online attacks.
Students, teachers and parents spoke for and against a proposed Wentzville School District ballot measure known as Prop L during public comment at the board meeting.
Sophomore Sophie Pena told the board she and other members of Students Demand Action support Prop L because it funds school safety upgrades. "Some of the money from proposition l goes towards safety and security in our district," Pena said, listing "upgraded security cameras, and intercoms as needed." Student Charles Jerome, founder of Students Demand Action Liberty Wentzville, said the measure "provides funding to enhance security measures, improve safe school facilities, and ensure that every student in our district has the right to a safe learning environment, and it does this all without raising taxes."
The meeting also featured multiple speakers defending the Wentzville NEA after months of social‑media criticism aimed at the union and its leaders. Rebecca Mesic described the WNEA as "teachers who care about our students, our district, and the future of our profession," and said local union leadership is run by volunteers from within the district. Jason Goodson and Julia Lukenhaus gave personal accounts of teachers nd union volunteers, highlighting years of service and community volunteerism.
Not all commenters backed Prop L. Vanessa Hagedorn, an educator, urged taxpayers to vote no on April 8 and called Prop L a "debt responsibility extension," saying "there is no such thing as a free $135,000,000." Hagedorn said she believes the district has not been fiscally responsible in past propositions and alleged the district may have used taxpayer funds in campaigning for the measure.
Superintendent Bishop reminded the public the district will host an open house at Holt High School on April 2 to answer Prop L questions and noted April 8 is the ballot date. Bishop also thanked schools and volunteers for board appreciation activities.
The board did not make a formal endorsement during the meeting; public comment was advisory and recorded as part of the meeting record.
