Dr. Brenda C. Youngblood (incumbent) attended Central Missouri State University, earning a bachelor’s in elementary education, a
master’s degree in counseling education from Southern Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in special education from Saint Louis
University. She served as a guidance counselor at Russell and Walker Elementary schools, under the Hazelwood Drug/Alcohol
Education Program. She served as a principal for 22 years at Keeven and McCurdy Elementary schools. She has a global perspective
regarding education, having traveled to 38 countries on 7 continents; visiting with students and staff in several of these nations. Her
successes include: Master Board Member Certification; Area coordinator of nine Missouri chapters for Phi Delta Kappa; chair, St.
Louis Principals’ Academy and Special School District Governing Council Board; faculty member, Harvard University Summer Institute
for Principals; she is the only school board member in the state of Missouri who completed the 15-month MOLEAD program
designed for administrators; and a Salute to Excellence award winner. She has 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
Mark J. Behlmann is a semi-retired custom home builder and land developer. He belongs to several organizations: Florissant
Rotary Club, Chairman of North Star Boy Scouts of America, President of TEAM, Greater North County Chamber of Commerce,
North County Incorporated, Florissant Old Town Partners, Old Jamestown Association, Spanish Lake Community Association,
Carpenters Local 97, and the Elks. Mark served as president for the Florissant Parks Foundation and Pallottine FOP. He also served
as board director for Missouri Securities Investment Program. He volunteers for the TEAM Emergency Assistance Ministry Food
Pantry, the Christian Hospital Foundation, the Saint Ferdinand Shrine and the Florissant Historical Society. He has been awarded
the Master Certified Board Member Certification, NCI Outstanding Citizen Award, Old Jamestown Citizen of the Year, Trinity
Catholic High School Hall of Fame, MSBA Community Service Award, and Christian Hospital Foundation Community Vision Award
2017. Mark is a widower with 1 child and 2 grandchildren.
Margo McNeil is a retired art teacher from the Ferguson Florissant School District. She is the former State Rep. 69th HD. McNeil
received a bachelor’s of arts in art education and master’s degree in art education. She serves on the MU Extension Advisory
Board- St Louis Region; Regional Health Commission Advisory Board; and the Hazelwood Pension Board. She also serves on the
Florissant Valley Kiwanis; National Women’s Political Caucus-St Louis, President; North County Legislative Labor Club; League of
Women Voters- Metro St Louis; North County Inc., Greater North County Chamber; ADK – Educational Sorority; and MNEA
Retired. McNeil is a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church where she is an usher. Awards include: Consumer’s
Council of Missouri, 2016; Otto Bean, Jr. Arts Advocacy Award from the Mo Art Education Association, 2016; the Jim Coen Silver
Citizenship Award from MNEA Retired, 2014; and the Missouri Alzheimer’s Association’s Legislative Leadership award. She is
married with 2 children.
Elizabeth A. (Betsy) Rachel is a stay-at-home mom. She has earned a master’s degree in Social Work and a bachelor’s of arts
in Sociology. She has an associate’s in Science. Rachel is a council member of Florissant Valley Christian Church and currently
holds the office of Assistant Financial Secretary and is the Convener of the Community Services and Outreach Ministry
committee at her church. She worked for several years doing community based social work, assisting individuals facing very
difficult life circumstances. In this process, she became familiar with a number of resources and systems. She is the co-chair
for the Parent Action Committee (PAC), a group formed to advocate and ensure the educational needs of students are the
first priority in the Hazelwood School District. She volunteers regularly at her sons’ elementary school where she attends
fieldtrips, helps with classroom parties, field day activities, the new VIP program, and she helps students with reading and
math. She is the Box Tops 4 Education coordinator and she helped to establish a food and clothing pantry at the school. She is
married with 2 children.
Marcus Allen is a lifelong resident and a Hazelwood Central High alumnus. He studied Mass Communication at Florissant
Valley and has built relationships through open dialog, helping him become a successful on-air radio personality in the St. Louis
area. Currently, Marcus is involved in St. Louis’ largest non-profit agencies. He has dedicated his time to several local
organizations that are responsible for developing youth into next generation leaders. Marcus has a general understanding of
school district workings and policies. He is very eager to share his ideas on ways to make an already great school district
better. The quality education his children are receiving, makes Marcus want to help support the District to make studentfocused decisions to ensure quality education for all students in the Hazelwood School District. He wants to bring people to
the table and work out differences. He has 2 children, one attends Jury Elementary School and the other attends Hazelwood
Central Middle School.
Benton Cornell Smith is a retired Air Force veteran. He studied at both Harris Stowe State University and University of
California, Los Angeles. Benton serves on the Board of Directors for the George Washington Carver House, an organization
that develops youth clubs, organized team sports, leadership programs, community health education, political awareness, and
savings and investment clubs to facilitate economic empowerment for children. During his 28 years of military service, he was
a member of several organizations; Air Force Sergeants Association, the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is
also a member of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He volunteers as a greeter and is
an advocate for the youth in the Next Generation ministries at his church, Shalom Church City of Peace. Benton is married with
4 children and 6 grandchildren. Two of Benton’s sons graduated from Hazelwood Central High School.