Kerns and Miller elected to school board

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Jennifer Kerns and Kim Miller secured seats on the St. Joseph School District Board of Education, according to unofficial election results.

Kerns is elected after coming just 28 votes shy in 2023, and incumbent Miller keeps her seat on the board. Voter turnout exceeded 24%, which came in higher than the 2024 school board race, which saw over 22% turnout.

"It feels great," Kerns said. "I feel like everybody's seen what I've done in the community and what I've done for the school as a whole. They supported me, and I love it."

Both Kerns and Miller outlasted four other candidates, such as Ken Reeder, who hoped to return to the board, and Brian Kirk, Cassandra Veale, and James Mrkvicka, who sought election for the first time.

"I think all the candidates were great," Kerns said. "I think all the candidates came out for the right reason. You know, I'm just glad that my supporters came out and voted for me."

As a newly elected member of the school board, Kerns said she wants to give a voice to the community.

"I hope to bring that voice to the parents, I hope to bring that voice to advocate for the students," she said. "And I hope to help the teachers and the staff and the community just to be that strong voice at the table. I've always been just more in the background, but now at the table."

Unofficial election results from the Buchanan County Clerk's Office show Jennifer Kerns receiving 23.12% of votes and Kim Miller receiving 20.99%.

News-Press NOW reached out to Kim Miller after she secured the second school board seat, but she was not available Thursday night.