R-IV School Board: Terry Ratcliff

 Board of Education Vice President Terry Ratcliff is entering her third year on the school board. Ratcliff said she hopes to serve another three years.

Prior to her start on the school board, Ratcliff, 48, was a volunteer with the PTA and was actively involved in the Lake Saint Louis Mothers Club. She said she loved being a part of her community.

She has four children that have attended Wentzville Schools.

With her marketing background Ratcliff said she felt she could improve on communication within the board and within the schools. 

“I have a degree from the University of Missouri - St. Louis in business administration with an emphasis in marketing," she said. "I also worked for Taylor Morley homes for about 10 years.”

After her work at Taylor Morley, Ratcliff decided she wanted to be a stay home mother for a while. It was then she started her work within the community.

“I loved working in the school system and PTA so much that when my son was in the fifth grade I returned to school and got my teaching degree.”

Ratcliff received her degree from  and has been teaching ever since. She works at Hope High School.

“I love it — I’ve just always felt involved with my community," she said. "I’ve always felt that I’m a leader that I have good communication skills and I’m good at listening.”

Board Projects

Ratcliff has been part of some major projects that the school board implemented.

“I’m really proud that we got full-day kindergarten. I think that is really important for early child hood education," she said. "Knowing what I know about child development I know how important early education is in getting kids going.”

The board has  added more Advanced Placement classes and started Project Lead the Way.

"I think we've done a great job and are heading in the right direction," Ratcliff said. "It's all about education."

Issues Facing the District

For Ratcliff, one of the greatest issues the school board faces is the growth of the district.  

"How do we have space for students? You don't get great schools without paying for it," Ratcliff said.

She also wants to work on the middle school and high school schedules throughout the whole of the district. 

Ratcliff supports Proposition 3.