Ralph Knese – Parkway Schools

In the heart of suburban St. Louis, the Parkway School District is embarking on one of its most comprehensive facility revitalization efforts. Backed by a $265 million bond passed by voters in 2022, the district is leveraging this capital infusion to transform its campuses, infrastructure, and learning environments. At the helm of this effort is Ralph Knese, Parkway’s Director of Facilities, whose strategic leadership and commitment to team empowerment ensure that every dollar delivers long-lasting impact.

With more than three decades of trade experience and nearly six years in his current role, Knese brings a unique blend of technical know-how and collaborative management. From replacing roofs and updating playgrounds to reimagining entire school buildings, Knese oversees projects shaping the Parkway experience for generations.

The passage of the 2022 bond—referred to as Proposition S—was not just a fiscal milestone but a reflection of the trust the community places in Parkway Schools. That trust, Knese says, stems from the district’s long history of transparency.

“We held a series of Project Parkway town hall meetings to enlighten the folks, invite feedback, and help us decide what should go into the $265 million,” he says. “We can’t campaign, but we can speak to the facts. Our transparency and communication have made a difference.”

That difference showed at the ballot box, where the bond received an overwhelming 76 percent approval, the highest in the district’s history. According to Knese, it’s a testament to the reputation Parkway has built over decades: “By keeping healthy schools, we have an outstanding reputation for the quality of education.”

The bond funding, which is earmarked strictly for capital replacements and improvements through 2028, has already led to the completion of significant upgrades. Two gym floors—one at a high school, another at a middle school—have been replaced, and several roofing projects have addressed persistent leaks. Some roofs were replaced, while others received cost-effective poly armor coating.

“There’s a pecking order,” Knese explains. “We work with the district to assess which facilities are most in need, then partner with our construction folks to determine what’s feasible. We present those plans to district leadership. There are many moving parts, but it’s all about prioritizing impact.”

Modern playgrounds, inclusive features

This summer, Parkway Schools is accelerating, with $50–$55 million worth of projects underway or scheduled for completion. Among the most visible upgrades is a district-wide overhaul of elementary school playgrounds. Outdated structures are being replaced with modern, safe, and inclusive play equipment. Each new installation features rubberized surfaces that ensure ADA accessibility, allowing students of all abilities to play and learn together.

“Five schools have already received two new playgrounds each,” Knese says. “Four more are on the schedule for this summer, and we’ll have all 20 completed by fall 2027.”

These aren’t just aesthetic upgrades—they represent a district-wide commitment to equity and access. For Knese, inclusive design’s value is more than compliance; it fosters joy and community. “We’re creating spaces where every child can play freely. That’s what this work is really about.”

Reimagining learning environments

Beyond playgrounds and gym floors, the bond fuels major capital renovations across the district’s 29 campuses. Among the largest projects is a comprehensive interior renovation of Craig Elementary School, spread out over the next three summers. The goal: to increase capacity and improve functionality in a building that no longer meets the district’s evolving needs.

Another project underway involves the addition of a storm shelter and four new classrooms at an elementary school, ensuring both safety and space for a growing student population. At North High, renovations are expanding the family and consumer science department to meet surging interest in career-focused learning—part of a broader shift across Parkway toward modernizing educational offerings.

“If we were building from scratch today, we’d probably design these buildings very differently,” Knese notes. “The traditional classroom doesn’t always fit the needs of today’s programs.”

That forward-thinking mindset has inspired Parkway to launch Facilities 2050, a committee dedicated to envisioning what the district should look like over the next 25 years. Though enrollment has gradually declined over the past 15 years, the need for flexible, high-functioning spaces has never been greater.

“We started taking shop classes out 10 years ago,” Knese says. “But in the last 18 months, we’re bringing them back. Programming is changing, and we must ensure our facilities are ready.”

Empowering a team

Overseeing hundreds of projects and millions in spending would be a tall order for any leader, but Knese credits his team of nearly 175 staff members for making it all possible. His approach emphasizes communication, autonomy, and camaraderie. By empowering team members to execute tasks in their own way and creating channels for open feedback, Knese has built a culture of trust and accountability.

That philosophy of connection extends beyond the job site. Knese makes a point to celebrate his staff, both formally and informally. “We’ve got a great maintenance manager who loves to barbecue and fry fish. We have a few impromptu lunches every year. Once a year, we host a picnic at one of our schools—a vendor comes in and cooks, and we all just spend a few hours together in June or July.”

Even birthday celebrations get their due.

“It’s the little things,” Knese says. “When people feel appreciated, they show up better for each other and the work.”

Knese’s leadership style draws heavily from his own background. Before joining Parkway in 2019, he spent over 30 years with Spire, a local natural gas distribution company. That experience in the trades informs both his technical decisions and his ability to relate to staff at every level.

“I come from the trades, so I understand the challenges,” he says. “And I know how important it is to trust your people and give them the tools and freedom to succeed.”

Parkway’s construction calendar also reflects that flexibility. Rather than waiting for summer, Knese’s team now uses spring break and other windows during the academic year to start staging projects, making better use of time and minimizing disruptions for students and staff.

“We’re thinking outside the box,” Knese says. “Every week, every day counts when trying to get this much work done.”

With more than $200 million still to be allocated by 2028 and a long list of projects on the horizon, Knese knows the pace won’t be slowing anytime soon. But he remains grounded in the mission of Parkway Schools: ensuring that all students are capable, curious, and confident learners who can adapt to an ever-changing world.

“The buildings aren’t just walls and ceilings—they’re tools for learning,” he says. “When we build and maintain them right, we give students the environment they need to succeed.”

As Knese leads Parkway through its most significant facilities investment in a generation, his legacy will be written not just in concrete and steel, but in the collaboration, inclusivity, and opportunity his work makes possible.