“I think this is an opportunity to show folks that this is the best place to send your kids, and that is going to take some new energy and some new perspective and I’m here with that,” said Parkway’s 12th and newest superintendent, Melissa Schneider.

Before coming to Parkway, Schneider spent the last 27 years as an elementary teacher, principal and most recently Superintendent of Learning Services at the Thompson School District near Fort Collins, Colorado.

Principal Angie Pappas-Muyco trumpeted her praises of Schneider.

“She’s very personable. She’s very student-focused; she really cares deeply about the same things I care about, which is achievement and equity and the well-being of our students. And so I really am inspired by her,” Pappas-Muyco said.

Schneider has not only made a good impression on our administrators, but South students as well. Senior Mariam Rana, a member of a student interest panel who spoke to Schneider last spring, described Schneider as “very midwestern,” adding, “I think she’s super cool and she’s gonna do great things.”

Rana said she is confident that Schneider is the right leader for Parkway.

“She’s from a big school district in Colorado; she knows exactly the kind of district Parkway is,” she said.  

According to Pappas-Muyco, Schneider has already been present at South–making connections with students and staff.

“She has come to school probably four to five times to visit with our students,” Pappas-Muyco said. “She actually interviewed a new 9th grade student to talk about what the experience has been for being brand new to a school,”

Schneider said this interview was one of many she has done in an effort to talk to students about their interests and experiences in Parkway. 

“What are the things that they would like to maybe see changed or us do differently? What are the things they love so much that they don’t want to change? And I’m kind of recording those things and finding themes in those things,” Schneider said. 

Pappas-Muyco adds, “It was really fun to sort of see her connect with a student about what it means to be new, and how they both felt really accepted by their new school communities.” 

One of the first major issues Schneider must face as she enters the district is a budget change following a new senior citizen property tax freeze in St. Louis County. 

“We are a unique school district in that we are 91.5% locally funded. And of that local funding, roughly 85% of that comes from our property taxes,” she said.

To deal with the aftermath of this change, Schneider will be utilizing a new budget task force.

“I think that many, many people in a room can come together to think and problem solve,” Schneider said. “I am optimistic that we will be able to make recommendations that will further help the district.”

Another important issue that Schneider will have to address is the question of school safety and what decisions need to be made to make sure both Parkway students and staff feel safe coming to school. 

Schneider already has plans to meet with multiple groups including students and principals to discuss possible strategies to increase school safety, saying, “I will unapologetically make decisions that are best for kids.”

As superintendent, Schneider is involved with many more district issues such as curriculum, facility upkeep, transportation, and much more. 

Schneider believes each of these responsibilities are essential to making the district successful.

 “My job as the superintendent is to be able to make sure that everything in the district is working to actually fulfill our vision and our mission,” she said.

Schneider entered the district during a time of major change. As new legislation has recently led to a district-wide phone ban being enforced for the first time. She said she is hopeful that the phone ban will positively affect students, saying that she wants the absence of phones to lead students to have, “more of those good feelings.”

With a new superintendent comes new conversations, so Rana said she is hopeful that having Schneider as the first female superintendent in Parkway history will lead to discussions that may not have been addressed in the past.

“I think there is always a huge plus to hiring someone from a different background compared to all the people who were previously hired,” Rana explained. “I think that she’s going to be able to bring new ideas that Dr. Marty may not have thought of.”

While filling the space left by the former Parkway superintendent, Keith Marty, will not be a simple job; senior Dennis Jakolevic said he is confident that Schneider will be successful in her new role.

“I think she’ll be just fine. So far she’s been really involved in the schools, and I think that will help her be successful,” Jakolevic said. “If we’re lucky, maybe she’ll give more snow days than Dr Marty.”

While Schneider appreciates her 11 predecessors, she’s ready to change the role from the ground up.

“Well, I plan to wear high heels,” she declares.