Jeannie Kerr, grew up in Colorado and graduated from San Jose State University with degree in business administration with an emphasis on hotel management. Kerr spent seven years in accounting and commercial, investment and international banking operations before she and her husband, David, moved to St. Helena in 1998. They have two sons, Aaron and Alex, who attend St. Helena Unified School District schools. Prior to running for the school board in 2010, Kerr already had a great deal of experience with local schools. She was a board member of the St. Helena Cooperative Nursery School in Rutherford, and, before that, a founder of the Crane Park Improvement Project. As her eldest son entered kindergarten, Kerr joined the Parent Teacher Group at the primary school and served three years as president. At the same time, she began serving on the St. Helena Public School Foundation's Mini Grants Committee, of which she continues to be a member. She also serves on the city's Parks and Recreation Commission and in 2003 was named St. Helena Chamber of Commerce "citizen of the year" for spearheading the renovation of a playground in Crane Park. Kerr also has helped organize the Harvest Festival, Holiday Home Tour and Just Imagine fundraisers.

Kerr said, "It is a very exciting time for our school district because of the partnerships that we are building with NapaLearns, local non-profits, and our neighboring school districts and the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Student success in the 21st century world requires new skills which must include the innovative use of technology in the classroom and learning through collaboration, critical thinking skills, communication, and creativity. Our district is fortunate enough to begin teaching 21st Century learning skills right now and to have all the necessary resources for all of our students to have the opportunity to receive a robust education that includes relevant real world skills that will be needed for their success in college and careers."