Chesterfield families won't be choosing new school board members at the polls this spring — because nobody challenged the incumbents.

Three seats on the Parkway Board of Education were up for grabs in the April 7, 2026, election, each carrying a three-year term. But when the candidate filing window closed, only three people had filed: the three incumbents already holding those seats. Under Missouri law, when the number of candidates equals the number of open seats, the district qualifies for a "non-election" — and no vote is held. According to the Parkway School District's official candidate filing page, Jeff Todd, Debbie Hopper, and Tiffany Mapp Franklin will be sworn in to new terms at a board meeting in April 2026.

West News Magazine staff writer Laura Brown first reported the non-election outcome in a January 16, 2026, article, noting that neighboring Rockwood School District also qualified for the same no-contest outcome this spring.

What the Board Actually Does

The Parkway Board of Education is a seven-member elected body — and all seven seats are unpaid volunteer positions, per the district's official website. The board sets district policy, oversees school operations, and ensures Parkway complies with Missouri state education law and the rules of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. It can only act by majority vote.

Board meetings are held at 7 p.m. at Parkway's Welcome Center, 760 Woods Mill Road, Ballwin, and are livestreamed and recorded on YouTube for residents who can't attend in person.

A District Facing Real Budget Pressure

The incoming board members will inherit a district navigating significant financial headwinds. According to Parkway's official 2025–26 budget communications, the district faces rising healthcare costs — a 14% jump in 2024 that added $5.3 million to expenses — along with steep increases in purchased services and the impact of Missouri's Senior Citizen Tax Freeze, which is projected to reduce district revenue by $26 million over the next decade.

Despite those pressures, Parkway says its financial position remains stable: the district carries a balanced budget, a AAA bond rating, and a healthy fund balance.

The District by the Numbers

Parkway C-2 serves 16,759 students across 29 schools, from pre-K through 12th grade, according to the most recent National Center for Education Statistics data for the 2024–25 school year. The district consistently ranks among the top five in Missouri for districts with more than 10,000 students, per Parkway's own reporting, and more than 85% of its graduates go on to college or post-secondary programs.

What's Next

Residents who want to follow board decisions — on budgets, curriculum, or school safety — can attend or stream monthly meetings. For more information, contact the district at (314) 415-8100 or visit parkwayschools.net.