2023 Board of Education Candidates

On April 4, voters in Fort Zumwalt School District will choose three members for the Board of Education. There are seven candidates running for a three-year term. Voters will vote for THREE. Candidates are listed in order they will appear on the ballot. All information below provided by the candidate.

No photo provided

Arnie C. AC “Arn” Dienoff

Dr. Gregg Sartorius, photo provided by candidate

Gregg Steven Sartorius 

Education: EdD, Educational Administration
Children in district: 3 who are alum
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: Member of the Board of Directors, MU Extension, St. Charles County (2022-present); Member of the Sons of the American Revolution, St. Charles Chapter (2022-present); Served on Fort Zumwalt School District’s Community Input Committee (2021-present);  Trustee for Country Crossing Homeowners Association (1998-present); Chairman of the Board of Directors for “The Discovery Expedition of St. Charles” (2003-2007); Chairman of the Millennium Commission, City of St. Peters (1999-2000); Chairman of the St. Peters Cultural Arts Advisory Board (1996-1999); Opinion Shaper columnist for St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Suburban Journal (2002-2007); 
Trustee / Vice President, Country Crossing Homeowner’s Association (1999-present); Completed Citizen’s Government Academy – City of St. Peters (2001); Completed Citizen’s Police Academy – City of St. Peters (2002)
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: To maintain the integrity, continuity and progress of the school district in serving the students, families and residents of the community.

Marc Pratte, photo provided by candidate

Marc Pratte 

Education: BA Political Science, BA International Studies, Minor in French, St. Louis Univeristy 
Children in district:
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: Parish volunteer, Past CYC coach, Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: As parents of two children in the district, my wife and I have a vested interest in keeping the Fort Zumwalt School District strong academically and morally for all students in the present and for future
generations. I have a long history of service & I’m running for the BOE to offer my time to the district to help keep Fort Zumwalt at the top of St. Charles County while helping to better its offering to students. I would also like to help better promote and develop our skilled trade program with the Lewis & Clark Career Center. I have over 15 years of experience running a professional training department. It might be private sector, but it is training and education nonetheless and I feel my outside business perspective will offer a good point of view to the Board. If elected I plan on serving with a common sense, pragmatic, conservative voice.

Erica Powers, photo provided by candidate

Erica Powers 

Education: Education: K-12 Fort Zumwalt, BA Fine Arts, Graphic Design; Masters of Arts In Education Curriculum Design, Masters in Art in Teaching state certified grades 1-4, Lindenwood University
Children in district: 3 and 1 who is an alum 
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: MSTA, MSBA Advanced Member, Alpha Chi, President PPE PTO
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: Besides being a mom, serving on the Board of Education has been the most gratifying job I have held. I believe education is the root of our being. When it goes wrong we all suffer. Working with the community, staff, students and families to continue making Fort Zumwalt an amazing district is my focus. We have many exciting things on the horizon that we have been working on. I want to see them through. My qualifications include my studies in education and my lifelong commitment to this district and community and I am a parent in the district and have served the past several years on the Board.

Michael A. Smith

Michael A. Smith 

Education: Associate in Applied Science - Information Systems from St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA; Master of Business Administration from University of West Florida, Pensacola FL
Children in district: 2
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: 
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: I want to help maintain the district’s quality of education, making improvements when needed, and be a representative of the parents, working to address any concerns or issues they may have. My qualifications include raising two children that have grown up attending district schools and my own experiences attending grade/middle/high school in the St. Louis area.

Matthew Richard Graham,  photo provided by candidate

Matthew Richard Graham 

Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing from Missouri State University
Children in district:
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: 
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: Committed to positioning the FZ District as the most desirable for academics, teachers, safety and athletics for both current and incoming families. I have a Bachelor of Science in the field of Business from Missouri State and have lived in the community for over 30 years and in the FZ district for 14. With two young daughters in the district, I want to help make it the best it can possibly be.

Kathryn "Kat" Byrd,  photo provided by candidate

Kathryn "Kat" Byrd 

Education: BS in Psychology, Lindenwood University; graduate coursework St. Louis University
Children in district:
Membership in civic, professional organizations, etc.: PSI CHI, Vice President Mid Rivers Elementary PTO
Short statement about your reasons for seeking election to the Board of Education and your qualifications for this position: I want to ensure that the district’s mission statement is true for every student and that the district is providing teachers and staff with the tools and support necessary to be successful. I also want to improve communication across the district. I have experience with organizational psychology and active listening and bring a collaborative spirit as well as an eagerness to learn.