Ocello To Retire From School Board in April

Mehlville School Board member Michael Ocello has announced plans to retire from his position following board elections in April.

Ocello cited his plans to move from the South County region as the reason for his decision. He recently purchased a new home in Creve Coeur, which falls in the Ladue School District, and will be putting his current residence on the market next week.

Ocello’s announcement follows three months after board member Karl Frank Jr. resigned from his post, noting frustration with voters’ rejection of an 88-cent property tax increase on the November ballot. With Frank’s seat up for election April 5, Ocello said the board voted to leave Frank’s seat vacant.

“I think the whole process of bringing someone on would have taken too long,” Ocello said.

He explained that he is delaying his resignation until after the election so that the board will not be left with two open seats, a situation that would cause the St. Louis County Council to appoint individuals to fill the vacancies.

“I didn’t want that to happen,” Ocello said.

However, it means the seven-member board will still be operating with only six members after the elections. Ocello’s term is set to end in 2012, giving the board more time to install a replacement before his seat comes up for grabs.

“In my case, it may make sense to appoint someone,” he said.

Mehlville Deputy Superintendent Eric Knost said district ­­­staff had been informed “recently” of Ocello’s plans. With two resignation announcements in the span of several months and nine candidates jostling for three open seats, the school board could have several new faces after the April election. Knost said the challenge of adapting to a changing board is all part of the Democratic process.

“When new mindsets and new paradigms come to the table, it can send you to a different direction,” he said. “I view it as an opportunity.”

Ocello, who is the chief operating officer of adult night club operator VCG Holding Corp., said he and his wife have been looking to upgrade to a larger home for some time. With their teenage daughter graduating from Oakville High School this spring and home-loan interest rates in low territory, Ocello saw an opportunity.

“All the pieces just fell in to place,” he said. “You have to do what is right for your family. I believe everyone will understand that.”

Ocello is in the fifth year of his second three-year term on the board. Although he is “as frustrated as anyone else” with the failure to pass the tax increase, he said he is proud of what he has been able to accomplish during his time at Mehlville despite any controversy.  

“I would like to think I helped in creating a little more transparency, improving the moral within the district,” Ocello said. “I did what I thought was right, and I did the best I could.”