Two new members appointed to Missouri State Board of Education

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has appointed two new members to the State Board of Education.

Parson announced last week his appointments of Tawni Hunt Ferrarini and Thomas G. Prater to the state school board, which oversees the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

“Tawni and Tom are clearly engaged in the education community and committed to serving others, so we look forward to welcoming them to the State Board and working with them to serve students, educators, and schools statewide,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven in a press release.

Ferrarini has a Ph.D. in economics from Washington University and nearly 40 years of experience teaching in higher education. Her specialty is economics education. 

Another alumnus of Washington University, Prater has an M.D. and is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, specializing in LASIK and cataract surgery.  

Though he has never worked professionally in the education field, Prater is a long-time volunteer, having served on the board of Springfield Public Schools, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Drury University and the Chamber of Commerce.  

If confirmed by the Missouri Senate, Ferrarini and Prater will replace Donald Claycomb and Peter Herschend, both of whom were serving on expired terms at the pleasure of the governor. 

Two other state board members – current President Charlie Shields and Vice President Carol Hallquist – are also continuing to serve on expired terms. 

Ferrarini and Prater won’t be the only additions to DESE’s leadership this year.  

Long-time Commissioner Vandeven announced she would retire this summer. State Senator Karla Eslinger has already been chosen to replace her.