Kathryn Byrd

Hello and welcome!

 

My name is Kathryn Byrd but most of my friends call me “Kat” for short. I have had the honor, privilege, and joy to serve our community as a member of the Board of Education for the Fort Zumwalt School District since being elected in April 2023. In my first term, I have learned a great deal, asked countless questions, and nurtured connections to help improve our district. I have used this knowledge to make data-driven decisions to keep our district excellent. While I have a variety of interests and passions, there are 3 areas that I am particularly passionate about; 1. Supporting Teachers & Staff, 2. Community Engagement, 3. Safety & Security. Let’s take a quick look into each one.

 

Supporting Teachers & Staff:

With some of the most talented, passionate, and dedicated individuals working in our district, I am dedicated to supporting them. My mother was a teacher, I've been positively influenced by both teachers & staff, and my children have as well. Teachers & staff members see so much including the strength and struggle of todays classroom. I value their insider perspectives and welcome discussions and collaboration to make our district the best it can be. Helping teachers & staff is one of my favorite things to do. Whether it is approving resources and professional development, opening channels for communication and collaboration, or working towards competitive compensation and an improved work-life balance, I will continue to do all I can for our teachers & staff.

 

Community Engagement:

During my first term on the Board of Education, I have visited the different quadrants and got to know people from all over. Going to various events and ceremonies at different schools has been an absolute pleasure and celebrating students will never get old. To help build connections and allow the opportunity for meaningful conversations, I have participated with different community meetings & committees and continue to build new collaborative relationships with people I meet. Additionally, my children and I have cheerfully served our community by volunteering for different service projects and doing a good deed daily.

 

Safety & Security:

With my background in criminal justice, the district’s safety & security has always been a special focus. During my first term, I participated with our district’s safety committee and have taken additional training, both inside and outside of our district. The Missouri School Board Association’s (MSBA’s) Center for Education Safety (CES) has offered a variety of training options and I have taken many of them including different sessions at the annual MSBA conference, presentations throughout the year, and specialized training for just our district. I participate and continuously learn all I can about keeping our students, teachers, staff, facilities, and information safe. Using that knowledge, I ask probing questions and have in depth conversations with district administrators to ensure that we are doing all we can for safety & security. My learning is never ending and I am currently registered for the MSBA CES 3 day School Safety Conference at the end of April 2026.

 

Overall, the experience of being a member of the Fort Zumwalt Board of Education has been incredibly rewarding. I love being engaged with our community and synergizing with both education and safety professionals for the well being of our district. We have many wonderful things already happening and some hopeful things on the horizon. When we all work together, focused on the good of our students, we can accomplish anything. If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything, please reach out. I truly appreciate your interest in getting to know me, your support with my campaign for a second term, and your vote!

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Take care,

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Kathryn "Kat " Byrd