Shawn Chiddix, President
Years of Service: First elected 2022
Term Ends: 2025
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: 2026
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 20 years and is currently a Team Leader at Olsson Engineering in North Kansas City.
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!
Sharon Sherwood, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2008
Term Ends: 2026
District Email Address: [email protected]
Sharon Sherwood was elected to the Platte County R-3 Board of Education in April of 2008. Her love for children and what is best for them, coupled with her background in education led to her interest in becoming a member of the Board of Education. She is a retired elementary principal, first serving thirteen years as an elementary music teacher, then serving for eleven years as an elementary principal, two of those years in the Mound City School District, and nine years in the Smithville R-2 School District.
Sharon is a graduate of Platte County R-3, and earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education K-12 from the University of Missouri, a master's degree in Music Education from NWMSU, and an educational specialist degree is Elementary School Administration from NWMSU. Sharon has also earned the Certified Board Member Designation, the Advanced Certification Award, and the Master Certification Award, bestowed by the Missouri School Board Association.
Sharon and her husband have three adult children, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, and six grandchildren. One grandchild is a 2013 graduate of Platte County R-3 and is making his home in Platte City, and three others have been students in the District since kindergarten. She loves spending time with her grandchildren, reading, learning and supporting them, and attending their various activities.
As a board member, Sharon serves on the Long-Range Facilities Task Force, the District Professional Development Committee, the BioMed Advisory Committee, the Career and Tech Advisory Committee, and formerly on the Northland Career Center Advisory Board. As a community member, she is serving as the school district's liaison to the Platte County Health Department Human Trafficking Task Force, the Heartland Exploitation and Recovery Task Force, and the Northland Homeland Assistance Coalition. These affiliations allow her to maintain two-way communication between the Board of Education and these groups, providing input and representation as necessary. Her years of service on the Board of Education provide consistency, knowledge of board procedures, and long-term involvement in and understanding of decisions that have been made.
In addition to the many ways she is involved in the District, she attends the First Christian Church of Platte City. There she serves regularly as an elder and as worship leader in church services, and as chair of the Pulpit Committee.
Sharon knows that it is her responsibility to be a good steward of the taxpayers' money, making decisions that are reflective of the District's most critical needs. As she looks to the future, she knows it is imperative to maintain high academic excellence in high-quality, safe facilities; retain and hire excellent teachers; address district growth effectively; and encourage parent involvement in the education of the students. It is her honor and joy to serve on the Platte County R-3 Board of Education!
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.
Mike Matousek, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2022
Term Ends: 2025
District Email Address: [email protected]
Mike Matousek was born and raised in Enterprise, Florida. After graduating from Deltona High School in 2001, he attended the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. In 2006, Mike moved to Washington, D.C., to work on Capitol Hill for Congressman John Mica, Congressman Sam Graves, and the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He is currently the Director of the Government Freight Conference at the American Trucking Associations.
Mike and his wife, Brittney (from Maryville, MO), have lived in Platte County for more than eight years. They have two children, Loch (7) and Rourke (1). He enjoys playing golf, coaching youth baseball, and spending time with his family and friends. Mike is excited to represent the parents, students, teachers, and taxpayers that the Platte County R-3 School District serves.
Amy MacCuish, Member
Years of Service: First elected 2023, Previously served 2018-21
Term Ends: 2026
District Email Address: [email protected]
Amy MacCuish was born in Troy, Alabama, and was raised as an "army brat" living in Germany, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida. After earning her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Central Florida, she began her career of service as a nurse in the U.S. Army. She later returned to school to earn her Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in child health from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Amy now practices as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Munson Army Health Center, on Fort Leavenworth Military Post in Leavenworth, Kansas. Previously she worked part-time with Platte County Pediatrics and loved taking care of the children in the community. She is happy to continue to see Platte County children at her current job.
Amy, her husband Don, and their three children first moved to Platte City in 2008, when Don was assigned to Fort Leavenworth with the U.S. Army. They lived within the PCR-3 District until 2011, when the military moved them away for four years. A love for the community was sparked, so they were thrilled to have the opportunity to return in the summer of 2015. The family has been here ever since. Don retired from the Army and served as a professor at the Command and General Staff College for 5 years.
The MacCuish children have attended Siegrist, Paxton, Platte City Middle School, and Platte County High School in the cumulative years they have lived in the District. This is a blessing for a military family. Emma is now a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University. Donny will graduate May 2024 from Florida Atlantic University, and Evan will graduate from Platte County High School with the class of 2025. The boys actively participated and fostered a familial love of PC football and wrestling. Amy and her family attend First Baptist Church of Platte City.
When the opportunity arose to apply for a position on the Board of Education, Amy jumped at the chance to be an active player in advocating for a strong future for our children. Amy served on the board from 2018-2021 before being re-elected in 2023. Amy feels strongly that education is a privilege and ensuring that we are providing valuable learning experiences in safe, inclusive, nurturing environments is imperative. Guarding our youth from a physical and mental health perspective, in the light of our ever changing landscape, is also a high priority for Amy.
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.