The Pattonville Board of Education on Nov. 2 voted to select Dr. Barry Nelson as the next superintendent of the Pattonville School District, effective upon the retirement of Dr. Tim Pecoraro, the district’s current superintendent. 

“Dr. Nelson has been instrumental in shaping the success of our district while recruiting and retaining outstanding individuals to work on behalf of our Pattonville students,” said Board President Dr. Brian Gray. “He brings with him a strong foundation as a teacher, school principal and district leader who is dedicated to ensuring all our students succeed. We believe he will carry on the tradition of caring, excellence and innovation that makes Pattonville such a special place to learn and grow.”

Nelson has served as Pattonville’s assistant superintendent for human resources since 2009. He previously worked as principal of Rose Acres Elementary School in Pattonville for eight years. Nelson also served as an interim administrative intern at Rose Acres and as a physical education teacher at Carrollton Oaks Elementary School (in Pattonville). He was also a teacher at Twillman Elementary School in the Hazelwood School District. Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, as well as master’s, specialist’s and doctorate degrees in education administration from Lindenwood University. He and his wife, Kristi, are the parents of a 2019 Pattonville graduate and a Pattonville High School freshman.