Three seats are open on the Farmington School District Board of Education. Seven members of the Farmington community are running for a seat on the board, three of them current board members. President Angela Hahn, Vice President Howard Hoehn, and board member Jerry Freeman, are running for reelection.
According to the Missouri School Board Association, or MSBA, potential board members must be at least 24 years of age, a United States citizen, a Missouri resident, no prior delinquencies regarding paying taxes, no criminal history in which the candidate has plead guilty to a felony, cannot be a registered sex offender, must have paperwork completed with the Missouri Ethics Commission (MEC) if involved in a prior election, and, if the potential candidate is a corporate officer of a fee organization, such as the Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles, the office cannot owe the state of Missouri taxes.
Community members Stephanie Cabrera, Kyle S. Short, Ethan Smallen, and Vanessa Pegram, are running for a seat on the board.
Stephanie Cabrera, formerly employed by the district's central office, is running for a seat on the board in hopes of “giving back” to the community. Cabrera attended Farmington School District and has children in the district.
Cabrera says that her experience with the district, as a parent, student, and employee, has helped her develop ideas about her mission to improve the district.
“I want to bring a steady, thoughtful voice to the board, one that is focused on students, supportive of staff, and committed to clear, transparent communication with families,” Cabrera said. “My goal is to help make decisions that are practical, data-informed, and always centered on what’s best for kids.”
Cabrera says that as a member of the board, she is committed to using logical thinking and reasoning to guide decisions and tackle challenges.
“Being open, clear, and straightforward helps everyone stay on the same page and keeps the focus on where it belongs, on what’s best for kids.”
Another community figure running for a seat on the board, Kyle S. Short is a business owner and father who claims that safety in Farmington schools is at the forefront of his campaign. Short is vocal about his concerns regarding safety operations within the district along with reforming financial processes.
“My top priority is ensuring the safety of our students and staff on every campus, which is the primary reason I decided to run,” Short stated. “…responsible budgeting is necessary to properly fund safety measures and support our schools long-term.”
Short said that he will continue to be an active member of the community and communicate with district families.
Ethan Smallen, a local business owner in Farmington, had a goal of being more involved in the Farmington community. Smallen decided that he would dedicate his time to the board of education and making decisions within the district.
“As a local business owner, I am interacting with caregivers and students on a daily basis,” Smallen said. “From these connections, I would love the opportunity to represent the concerns and best interests of these community members.”
As a potential board member, Smallen claims that he would work to encourage greater participation in community events among students, staff, and families with communication at the forefront of his mission.
“Keeping an open line of communication is critical, I would encourage teachers, students, and community members to attend school board meetings to ensure their voices and concerns are heard,” Smallen explained.
Smallen strongly suggests that students at FHS stay involved in clubs, sports, and activities as much as they can. He also mentioned that students would benefit from voicing their opinions, and attending board and city council meetings.
Vanessa Pegram, running for the board of education, is a member of the Farmington City Council, a tech executive, and has children within the district.
Pegram emphasizes uplifting staff and students in her campaign, as well as using what she’s learned in her career to support district families.
“I am eager to bring this perspective to the Farmington R7 Board, helping to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” Pegram said. “I am running because I believe our students deserve unwavering support, and our community deserves a foundation of trust and transparency.”
Pegram claims that properly utilizing district resources, supporting teachers and students, and fostering open communication between district leaders and families, is her biggest priority, with managing finances at the pinnacle of her mission.
“Strong schools are built on the foundation of strong educators,” said Pegram. “Supporting teachers means respect for the important work they do, thoughtful efforts to retain experienced educators, and sustainable planning that allows them to thrive long term.”
If elected, Pegram stated that, as a board member, she will work to ensure that the board is an “advocate” and resource for district families.
Meet the new candidates in person on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Long Memorial Hall or 110 W. Columbia St., Farmington, MO 63640. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit with each candidate, as well as get a presentation about the propositional transfer on the local ballot this year by district leaders. Light refreshments will be provided.
