Shawn Chiddix, President
Years of Service: First elected 2022
Term Ends: 2028
District Email Address: [email protected]
Shawn Chiddix graduated from Lexington High School in Lexington, Missouri and enjoyed the small-town community. He went to college at Northwest Missouri State University and graduated with a degree in Finance. After graduation, he obtained a master’s degree in International Finance from Rockhurst University. He has used these degrees in his 20+ year career in securities regulation where he is currently a senior director at a global exchange operator.
Shawn and his wife, Jessica, have been residents of Platte County since 2002. They have two children, Ella and Wes, who have attended Platte County School District since Kindergarten and will be graduating in 2023 and 2025, respectively. Shawn’s family has volunteered countless times at various organizations, functions and sporting events for the Platte County Pirates, including for their children's sports teams throughout the years.
Prior to being elected to the board in 2022, Shawn was serving on the Community Advisory Steering Committee for the PCR-3 Community Advisory. Shawn is excited to give back to the community that has given so much to his family. He wants to do his part for the students, educators and community of Platte County by ensuring a quality curriculum for our students, retention of our staff, and transparency in finance for our taxpayers.
Tyler Fadler, Vice President
Years of Service: First elected 2023
Term Ends: 2029
District Email Address: [email protected]
Tyler Fadler has lived in the Platte County School District since he was a child, moving here in 1988 from Marceline, Missouri. He is a proud Barry Middle School student and a 1998 graduate of Platte County High School. While in high school, he was active in student council, football, wrestling, and the spring musical. Following graduation, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He has worked in the engineering field for more than 20 years and is currently a Group Leader at Olsson Engineering in Olathe, Kansas.
Tyler and his wife Kara, a nurse practitioner and also a Platte County High School graduate, have two children, Grant and Emily, who attend PCR-3 schools. Both children are active in a variety of activities including football, wrestling, club soccer, basketball, track, and cheerleading. The Fadlers love this community, and being Pirates is why they have chosen to stay in the District. For multiple years, Tyler has volunteered as a coach and served on the board of the Platte County Youth Football League and Platte County Wrestling Club. He has always enjoyed helping organizations and athletes reach their goals.
Tyler believes the community and education he and his wife received at Platte County were instrumental in the achievement of their goals, and he wants to continue that tradition for all students. He is dedicated to providing the best possible learning opportunities and experiences for all Pirates. His belief is that while being good stewards of the District, it is the Board's responsibility to provide the support necessary for students to thrive and achieve excellence. GO PIRATES!
Karen Bryant, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2021
Term Ends: 2027
District Email Address: [email protected]
Karen Bryant was born and raised on a Missouri farm and believes that is where her work ethic and “can do” attitude was instilled in her at a young age. Graduating from Polo High School, she continued her education at Ricks Junior College in Rexburg, Idaho as well as attending Maple Woods Community College with a focus in office administration. She has worked for her current employer as an office administrator for approximately 23 years.
Karen and her husband, Todd, moved into the District in 2006. They have four children – Sheena, Brett, Hunter (2013 PCHS graduate), and Tucker (currently attending PCHS). Karen has served the community in various ways – from being a Boy Scout and Brownie leader to a little league basketball coach to a fundraiser for local charities – and she believes serving on the school board is just another way to give back to the place she and her family call home.
Karen feels she has a unique, well-rounded perspective when it comes to the educational system. Having children in both general education and special education, she is confident her experiences will provide value and voice when it comes to inclusion and educational improvement. She looks forward to working for the families, students, and staff of the Platte County R-3 School District for the next three years.
Matt Craine, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2024
Term Ends: 2027
District Email Address: [email protected]
Matt Craine grew up in St. Peters, Missouri, and graduated from Francis Howell Central High School. He went on to graduate from Truman State University with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science, and then from University of Iowa with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. He worked for several years in St. Joseph, Missouri, before transferring to Platte City where he has worked for the past 13 years.
Matt and his wife Sara have been Platte County residents since 2012. They have one daughter, Claire, who has attended school in the District since Kindergarten. One of the things they love most is the sense of community and belonging here. Many nights you can find them supporting our Pirates at sporting events, show choir competitions, and theatrical productions. Matt also enjoys coaching Claire and the rest of her softball team.
Prior to being elected to the board in 2024, Matt has been active in various community advisory groups for the District including long-range facility planning and safety. As the son of two public school teachers, Matt is excited for the opportunity to advance public education for ALL students. He feels that clear communication between students, staff, and parents is key to building strong relationships in order to provide the best educational experience possible.
Alisha Elliott, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2025, Previously served 2019-2022
Term Ends: 2028
District Email Address: [email protected]
Alisha Elliott was born and raised in Winchester, Kansas. She is a proud graduate of Jefferson County North High School. Continuing her education at the University of Kansas, she earned dual bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and Human Development with an emphasis in Juvenile Justice.
Since 2007, Alisha and her husband, Roger, have made Platte County their home, nurturing their two daughters, Amiya, and Alexa, both of whom have flourished in the Platte County School District since kindergarten.
In 2009, Alisha bravely established the Alisha Elliott Agency, Inc., in partnership with Farmers Insurance. Through her leadership and dedication, she has built a successful agency that provides protection for thousands of families. Additionally, she holds a real estate license, reflecting her passion and commitment to helping her community achieve their dreams of homeownership since 2005.
Alisha’s active involvement in the district reflects her passion for education, serving on the PTA board, as a PTSA member, and engaging in the booster club, and other various committees. Her previous tenure on the school board from 2019 to 2022 speaks to her commitment to the educational community, and she eagerly anticipates continuing her service. Alisha embodies the spirit of giving back, uplifting her community, teachers, and students with unwavering dedication.
Heather Duncan, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2026
Term Ends: 2029
District Email Address: [email protected]
Heather Duncan grew up as the 7th generation on her family’s farm in rural eastern Iowa. She is a proud alumna of Iowa State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Service and Administration in Agriculture. In college, she served as an equipment manager for the ISU football team, in youth ministry at her local church, a high school softball coach, and in residence hall student government. Iowa State is also where Heather met and married her husband, Jason.
Heather and Jason have been Pirates since 2006. While they aren’t originally from Platte County, they intentionally chose Platte County R-3 when they moved to the area. They wanted to raise their family in a school district with a diversity of cultures and educational experiences. Their three children have benefitted from the experiences and community of the District, especially its southern attendance area where they live. They are the proud parents of a Platte County R-3 graduate, a PCHS student, and a Platte Purchase student.
Heather is a U.S. federal government employee and an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God (USA). She believes that presence and service are a responsibility of being part of a place and a community; this motivates her service on the Board. Heather has served on several District committees and PCR-3 parent-run organizations including PTA/PTSA and Booster Club.
Sarah Duncan, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2026
Term Ends: 2029
District Email Address: [email protected]
Sarah Duncan is a proud, lifelong Platte County Pirate. Sarah, her grandfather, her husband, both sets of parents, and all of their siblings are Platte County graduates, making Pirate pride very much a family tradition in the Duncan household.
A 1997 graduate of Platte County High School, Sarah was active in cheerleading and has carried that passion forward by coaching for the Pirates Cheerleading Club. Following graduation, she attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, and later graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Sarah has built a 25-year career in healthcare technology and currently serves as Senior Director of Sales Operations for Veradigm, a role that continues to sharpen her ability to think strategically, manage complex operations, lead with empathy, and drive meaningful results.
She is married to Jeremy Duncan, owner of J Duncan Construction in Platte City and a 1999 Platte County graduate. Jeremy made history as the first Division I wrestler to come from Platte County when he went on to wrestle at the University of Maryland. He currently serves as President of the Pirates Youth Wrestling Club. Together, they have two daughters, Auggie and Francis, who both attend Platte County Schools, and a dog named Teddy who is a school pickup line legend. Watching her children thrive under the guidance of excellent education teams has only deepened Sarah's commitment to ensuring every student in the district has the same quality experience and that all employees of the district feel appreciated.
Sarah plans to bring her financial expertise and innovative mindset to the board, with a focus on being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, retaining exceptional educators and staff, maintaining high academic standards, while keeping student safety at the forefront. She believes it is the board's responsibility to prepare every student for life beyond Platte County, equipping them with the tools to define and achieve success on their own terms. Being on the board, she wants to continue to build on our legacy of excellence, pride, and tradition. Sarah is honored to serve the community that has meant so much to her family for generations.