Board Candidates

Karen O’Hearn graduated with a M.S. Education and a B.S. Business Administration from the University of Missouri--St. Louis (UMSL).  She holds lifetime certification in Business Education and Secondary Counseling.  After working full-time for five years in corporate accounting, she began her career as a public-school business/vocational teacher and eventually moved to the counseling department.  During her long career in education, she was also an adjunct professor in the Counseling Department at UMSL, H.S. FBLA sponsor, ACT Coordinator, and swimming coach.  Karen is involved in many community groups, two book clubs, and lifetime fitness activities.

Patrick and Karen have been married for 48 years. Their daughter’s family lives in the City of St. Charles and has four children in SCSD, their son’s family lives in Columbia, Missouri. The O’Hearns have enjoyed living in the City of St. Charles for eleven years and St. Charles County for 26 years.

Lori Gibson was elected to the school board in April of 2008. She is a freelance actress and an avid volunteer in the community, working with such groups as Habitat for Humanity and the St. Charles School District. She also works part-time for the State of Illinois, training officers in crisis intervention.

Lori has lived in St. Charles for thirty-two years with her husband Rick, a flavor chemist for Firmenich Inc. Their daughter, Courtney, is a 2003 graduate of Saint Charles High. 

I am a strong supporter of public education. I started my career in the St Charles City School District. My background includes suburban, urban and rural districts.  Overall, I have 42 years experience in education.  I am pleased to see the St Charles City School District has an A rating in academic performance, which is due to the excellent work of the district teachers. As a team member, I would work to maintain that.  

Josh Wilcutt is a combat veteran, business owner, husband, and father. He proudly served our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom and brings more than 24 years of experience in the IT field. His background includes contract negotiations, secure technology implementation, and cost analysis—skills that would be a valuable asset to the district.

Josh became actively involved in school board matters after witnessing clear policy violations that directly affected his sons’ education. That experience motivated him, along with his son, to stand up for families across the district and testify before the Missouri House of Representatives. Since then, Josh has been a strong advocate for clear and updated policies, accountability, and ensuring parents are respected as true partners in their children’s education.

If elected, Josh’s priorities include student safety, parents as partners, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. His mission is simple: to be a voice for the people—not the institution.