SURGE IN VOTER TURNOUT HELPS IMIG AND CLARK WIN ROCKWOOD SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION.

Izzy Imig and Jessica Clark are pictured here, embraced in a congratulatory hug at the election results "Watch" party Tuesday night at the Wildwood Pub restaurant.

The two women came in first and second out of the 5 candidates who ran for "Director" in Rockwood's school board race.

Imig received 11,219 votes (27.65%),  Clark received 9,646 votes (23.77%).

St. Louis County Board of Election results show 41% more voters turned out for this year's school board election, compared to last year. 

In 2021, 23,882 Rockwood votes were cast for school board candidates. This year, 40,573 Rockwood votes were cast (a jump from about 11,900 voters to a little over 20,000 voters if everyone voted for 2 candidates.)

Rockwood has been in the spotlight for what many parents consider overreach into topics parents want to handle at home, and what they call inappropriate library books and lesson materials. Parents have submitted formal challenges to books and lesson materials for mature content, a focus on race, oppression and privilege, as well as negative portrayals of police. 

Poll workers reported that voters again and again, indicated they chose to vote for Imig and Clark because of their campaign platforms. Each candidate ran her own individual race, but, both prioritized getting politics out of the classrooms and sticking to academics. Some voters said they voted for Clark because she labeled herself as a conservative on her campaign materials and signs.

Jessica Clark

Izzy Imig

It is worth noting that Imig and Clark were not endorsed by Rockwood's teachers union (RNEA), or supported by the MNEA. RNEA is Rockwood's version of the National Education Association. MNEA is Missouri's version.

Currently, 6 of Rockwood's 7 school board members were endorsed or backed financially by the teachers' unions. Incumbents Loralee Mondl and Tom Dunn did not run for reelection. Dunn was not backed by the teachers union when he won 3 years ago. Mondl was.

The two candidates endorsed by the teachers union this year, Amy Ryan and Deborah Stine, came in 3rd and 4th in the race. Charles Messmer came in 5th.

With Imig and Clark on the board, there will now be 2 members purely representing parent voices and 5 members that won with teachers union backing.

Tuesday night's election results.

2021 election results.

The winning candidates posed for pictures in a room full of more than 30 supporters.

Note: Edited to clarify the vote totals vs voter totals. 

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