She told The Mercury newspaper on Wednesday that she felt it was the right time to step down.

“This is my second term, so I will complete eight years of service,” she said. My youngest will graduate in May 2026 and my term will end in 2026.”

Hagemeister said she enjoyed her time as a school board member and found it rewarding.

“I will continue to support public education, but it’s just not the time for me to serve another term now,” she said. “I think we need to encourage a lot of different perspectives in public service, and there are a lot of people who have a good heart for service. Part of being a leader is making room for other people to step up .”

She said she was most proud of the fact that she and other board members kept children at the forefront.

“I am proud that at a time when we have faced significant challenges, our decisions have always been guided by one thing: ensuring our children have access to a high-quality education.”

Hagemeister began serving on the school board in 2018. She has served as president and vice president. She works as the executive director of the Flint Hills Breadbasket.