Whitlock Says the Current School Board is Right to Keep Hazelwood Soaring

At the 's (HSD) held in February as an effort to get district voters some time with the board of education candidates, Desiree Whitlock was her normal self.

Always prepared and ready for what she wants to accomplish, she sat down between a longtime friend and a new face to explain why she should remain on the board of education. And she wasn't shy about saying the board should remain as it is now with all seven of the current members because of all of the hard work that's been put into the district.

"When I first came to the board, over crowding was a serious issue," she said. "We've now built three new middle schools and one new elementary school and improved the buildings and grounds at most of the others.

"We've done this in a fiscally sound matter."

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Whitlock is one of three candidates running for two seats on the Hazelwood School District's Board of Education in the April 3 election. The others are and . Behlmann and Whitlock are incumbents.

Why the Board of Education?

Desiree Whitlock has been a Hazelwood School District Board of Education director for nine years, serving as president, vice-president and secretary. She has also held offices with the PTA at Keeven Elementary School, Kirby Junior High and Hazelwood East.

Whitlock has served on various committees including those involved with : Hazelwood 1st, Propositions 4, H and 1st.

"My children attended schools in the district and I've been involved in a number of different organizations that intersect with the school community," she said. "I have many perspectives at the table to consider as I do my work as a board member."

Whitlock said the most important aspect is the kids.

"(We have to) ensure that everything we do has a positive impact on teaching and learning and giving our students the best opportunity to succeed in this world no matter what their starting point," she said. "All of our students are precious and deserve the best that we can give them."

District Experience

Whitlock has also served on committees in the district including Middle School Planning, Behavioral Guide Planning, Scholarship Selection, the Hazelwood Educator Evaluation Taskforce, Policy Review, Key Communicators, Legislative Advocacy and the Interview Committee for Teachers and Administrators.

She said all of this experience has only sharpened her skills to understand and make proper judgements on behalf of the district and said throughout the years the board has only worked to improve all aspects of Hazelwood public education.

"We had some serious challenges academically meeting the "No Child Left Behind" standards (as an example)," she said. "We've worked hard to provide the necessary resources including professional development for our teachers and for our students."

"Out district has also improved communications with our parents and our community."

The Next Chapter

Along with communication improvement Whitlock noted the forging of community partnerships and a innovated district move. One example she gave was the . She said she also wants to explore ways to improve and engage communication and interaction with parents in order to get them more involved inside the schools.

Whitlock has lived and been an active parent in HSD for the past 23 years.  She has worked on the polls for Hazelwood 1st, .

She is the mother of two daughters, Desiree B. and Bryona. Desiree B. is a 2005 Hazelwood East graduate. She also graduated from Indiana State University. Bryona graduated from Hazelwood East High School in 2010 and is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff.

Whitlock earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Fisk University and a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from Lindenwood University. She has been employed by the BJC/HealthCare System for the past 27 years in the field of substance abuse and mental health. She is currently the Coordinator of Retail, CPPW with the St. Louis County Department of Health.