Who’s up for school boards in the Kansas City area? Your voter guide to April 4 election

Early voting — also called no excuse, in-person absentee voting — begins Tuesday for the Kansas City area’s municipal primary elections on April 4. That means any registered voter can cast a ballot before Election Day at an early voting location.

There are three early voting locations in Kansas City. Jackson County voters outside of Kansas City can vote early at the Jackson County Election Board office, Clay County voters at the election board office and Platte County voters at the election board office.

This voter guide covers the candidates for school boards in the Kansas City area in Jackson, Platte and Clay counties.

School board races are nonpartisan. Your local school board plays a role in deciding some district policies and choosing administrators like the superintendent. Here’s our guide to what school boards do in your community.

Residents will also vote on ballot questions and other local races. Here are the full sample ballots for Kansas City, Jackson County, Clay County and Platte County.

Find our voter guide to mayoral and city council candidates here.

Find our explainer on the marijuana tax ballot questions here.

Find our guide to early in-person absentee voting here.

How the voter guide works

Click on your district to view candidates’ responses to four survey questions. Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on your ballot.

The Star contacted each candidate multiple times over the past several weeks using contact information provided by each respective school board. We asked that candidates keep their responses to 150 words or fewer.

Those without responses listed under their names did not respond by the deadline.

If you are a candidate and would like to get in touch with us and submit responses still, you can email us at kcq@kcstar.com. Voters will continue using this tool all the way through Election Day.

A note on editing and fact-checking

Survey responses were not edited and are the candidates’ own words. The Star did not fact-check all of the candidates’ responses.

If you are concerned about misinformation or would like to learn more about some of the issues referenced in candidates’ responses, we wanted to include this past story about how to spot misinformation: How to tell if a politician is lying? A scholar who studies what they say has some advice.

Excelsior Springs #40

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Kenny Manley

Incumbent? Yes

Kenny Manley did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Darren McKown

Incumbent? Yes

Darren McKown did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Jill Evert

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

My name is Jill Evert. I retired in July 2020 after 32 1/2 years in education. During that time, I served as a special education teacher, third grade teacher, 4th grade teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and principal. I raised 4 daughters who graduated from the ESHS. I believe my experience as an educator, parent, and lifelong community member have provided me with experiences that will help me be a fair, goal oriented, and community minded member of the school board.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. Build a new Lewis Elementary. Currently, we have Prop Lewis on the ballot for April 4. It is a no tax increase that will allow us to build a new elementary building that will serve our downtown population. It was promised and we need to fulfill that to our students.

2. Increase student achievement. The biggest factor in the classroom and student achievement is the teacher so we need to be compensating and supporting our teachers to retain them and attract new candidates to the field.

3. Mental Health Support for all members of our learning community. We currently have the Children’s Services Grant which partners with Tri County and Synergy to meet the needs of students. We need to explore other avenues- grants, etc. that would provide that support to our staff and reach more of our students.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Gain more support for public education at the state and federal levels- especially our legislators. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find teacher candidates- more teachers are leaving the field and very few are seeking teaching as a career. Salaries need to increase in order to attract more candidates and we need to figure out how to retain them. Teachers teach our future and we need to recognize that.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love our district because we do have strong, positive support from our community. Our school staff do whatever it takes to help students be successful- inside and outside of the classroom. We have awesome students, too- they work hard to be successful in the classroom, on the playing field, and in our community. I truly believe we care about each other and want everyone to be successful.

Campaign website: No website

Andrew Starkebaum

Incumbent? No

Andrew Starkebaum did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Fort Osage R-1

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Kyle A. Leeds

Incumbent? No

Kyle A. Leeds did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Kelly K. Scott

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am a retired Independence Fire Captain, and have worked in Public Safety my entire adult life. After I was forced to retire in 2011, due to on the job injuries, I saw the Board of Education as a way that I could continue serving the public. I am well aware of the issues involving bureaucracies and how to work to make them run as efficiently as possible. I have always been vocal in asking tough questions that others haven’t asked. I have already served over 10 years on this Board, and hope to continue to utilize my experience to assist the District.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. Maintaining excellent fiscal management. The District has done an outstanding job of managing it’s finances and maintaining adequate fund balances. I will continue to support the Superintendent, but continue to ask questions and offer suggestions.

2. Protecting the safety of our students and staff. My experience in Fire, Police, and EMS, have provided understanding of what it takes to make facilities safer. I will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our practices, and work to ensure they are in fact the Best Practices.

3. Monitor implementation of an “Woke Agenda” issues within the District. The District recently modified Policies to include both “sex” and “gender”. I specifically asked, and no one could tell me what the difference was. The majority voted to make the modifications. I hope to be able to continue to watch for further changes, and at least be able to voice concern for their inclusion.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would love to personally go to each of our school buildings, with a razor scraper in hand, and remove the “Gun Free Zone” stickers from the entry doors. Why would anyone want to advertise that a building full of kids has no way to protect themselves from gun violence, other than 1 School Resource Officer that is only in one building. I have argued many times that even if we never authorized anyone to have a gun on our campus, can’t we at least leave a doubt that someone intent on causing problems could encounter resistance.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I have lived in this District for almost my entire life. I graduated from this District in 1976. My brothers, and sister attended this District. My Children and Grand Children attended this District, some have graduated and 2 are still students. I have announced soccer games for this district for the past 26 years. My Granddaughter works for this District. I am on the Board of the Alumni Association. This District has been a large part of my entire life, and I have been honored to be able to continue serving it.

Campaign website: No website.

David L. Shrout

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I have served Fort Osage R1 for 36 years

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Continue a balanced budget , being able to tailor the needs of each student., continue to provide a safe learning environment

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

That our educational goals of our district are achieved.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

It’s a family oriented district. That sounds so quaint. But that’s true. We as a district care for the people.

Campaign website: No website.

Dustin Ray Schnackenberg

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I have lived in the Fort Osage District for 36 years, I am the Father of two beautiful sons that will grow up in the Fort Osage Schools. I have been in a professional career that has helped navigate the hard situations that come up with a level head, respectful attitude and open mind. This skill will allow me to work hand in hand with the other board members to successfully work through the tough matters that come up in schools.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

My top policy will be, to be engaged, to communicate, to listen to all that are involved in the School District, parents, teachers, administration, and students. I believe open communication can go a very long way with individuals.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

That every parent and student feels 100% safe coming to school.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love that our district is really like a family. A blended, diverse, complicated family. We care for each other, and want to see each other succeed. I have built lifelong friendships by being a part of this district, and I want that to be the same for generations to come.

Campaign website: https://tinyurl.com/FBdustinFOSD

Stephanie R. Watson

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I’ve been a volunteer in the district for many years. I was the PTO President at Elm Grove for 3 years and I am currently the PTO President at Blue Hills. I was the Vice President of Project Grad in 2021-2022.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. Find different ways to attract and retain staff.

2. Address the aging infrastructure in the buildings, specifically in the classrooms

3. Communicate with parents more regarding services available to their child(ren) to help them be as successful as possible.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would create Admin Intern positions in all buildings, similar to what other districts have, to give certificated staff admin experience. These staff members create lasting relationships with students. It should be our goal to retain them.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I’ve lived in Fort my entire life. I graduated in 2005 and I am now raising my kids here. We have a small town feel and our community completely supports our district. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieWatsonFortOsageSchoolBoard

Grain Valley R-5

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Lance Pollard

Lance Pollard did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Michael Hackett

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I’m a graduate of Grain Valley High School, a product of our community. I’ve lived here more than 20 years, have 1 son whose made his way through Grain Valley, and 1 whose going to graduate this year. I come from a family steeped in education, and who believes in giving back, doing our civic duty and working to make our community better for our children and their children. I’ve served on the Grain Valley School Board previously, for 18 years, so I understand the dedication required to make our schools better for our children and their children.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Keeping teachers’ salaries at a competitive rate will be key in the next few years. In a time of inflation, it may be necessary to consider things like making changes to the salary schedule to give us the ability to provide better pay options.

I also think we need to continue to offer a number of coursework options for our students, giving them better college and career ready options. This means we’ll have to find teachers who are capable of providing students with new, and different challenges to meet those needs in our ever-changing world.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would boost teachers’ salaries. We look to them to elevate the trajectory of our children and students, and our community deserves the best sorts of teachers, and by boosting salaries we can attract some of the best.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love the fact that our district really does work hard to care about every child. We have teachers who care, administrators who want those teachers to make a difference, and staff who are a positive influence on our students and they’re all an important part of our community.

Campaign website: No website

Tisha Homfeld

Tisha Homfeld did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Janis (Jan) Reding

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

It is important on any board to have seasoned members that have not only experienced the activities and transactions of the past but have had a working participation in the short and long-term goals of that organization. I believe I have this experience and this knowledge in making policy, in expanding and maintaining our district facilities, and in assuring that our district is financially sound as I have been on the Board for the past 23 years. In addition, my community and state-wide involvement is very extensive, and I have a working experience in personnel and property management. I also have over 100 hours of Board professional development and a Masters’ certification for professional development with the Missouri School Boards’ Association.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Being only one member of a board of seven, our goal is to work together, not individually. We represent every student and must be willing to participate in active discussions in all areas. We must work to make sure the public understands the reasoning behind the decisions we make and to be responsible and trustworthy. We must make decisions that are good for all of our students.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

In a heartbeat, it would be to find a source of funding to increase and maintain the salaries of our teachers and staff who work so faithfully to “effectively educate every one of our students every day.” There are many of our staff that pull their own money out of their pockets to secure items to help our students in needs they may have, be it food or supplies or comforting items. Teaching is a challenging job, and the reward should be a decent wage at the end of the day.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

This is an easy question to answer. Grain Valley is a happy and friendly community. It is one that you can easily have a casual conversation while waiting at the post office or in line at the grocery store. I always look forward to the Senior Citizens Luncheon as I thoroughly enjoy visiting with everyone. We all have so much in common - talking about our grandchildren, sharing our aches and pains, and learning of recent travels they have taken.It is neighbor helping neighbor and being comfortable in the conversation.

Campaign website: No website

Jeff Coleman

Jeff Coleman did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Julie Taylor

Julie Taylor did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Sarah Swartz

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am a certified teacher and school counselor. I understand the unique need of schools through my work in education.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Advocating for students needs, representing all community members, and supporting teachers and staff

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

More mental health support. We have seen a large increase in mental health needs and the current staff is not sustainable for the needs of the students.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I loved going to school in Grain Valley and appreciate it so much as I send my own son through the school system. Grain Valley Schools are exceptional and I want to due my part to help!

Campaign website: Sarah Swartz for Grain Valley School Board - Facebook Page

Grandview C-4

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Stacy Wright

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

My entire adult life has revolved around children. I have a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell. After a decade at home, I opened a business dedicated to play and parties, which I operated for 14 years, employing students. When I sold, I became a Court Appointed Special Advocate, and continue as one today, 4 years later. I’m a 20+ year resident and was a district parent for 12 years. I lobbied for the position of Parent Liaison to be added to the P.E.G.S. Advisory Committee, and I served in that role for a decade. Last March I became the first Reader Leader to enter the schools since COVID; this year I spend 3 hours a week reading with kindergartners and first graders.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Preparing students to be members of the global community starts with exposure: exposure to different people, exposure to different ways of thinking, of believing, of learning. With the understanding that “exposure” does not equal “indoctrination,” my priority is to make sure our Grandview C4 community has safe spaces in which to learn and teach. That includes our LGBTQIA+ students. That also includes our librarians and teachers. An individual school board member does not have any power: only the board can act. My intent is to get on the Policy Committee, so I can do what I can to further ensure the ability of our students and teachers to safely learn and teach.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I submit that the biggest thing any district can do to achieve equity is to expand early childhood education. Waiting until kindergarten puts teachers and students at a huge disadvantage. Parenting classes for expectant mothers – and fathers; play classes for infants so parents can learn how to stimulate them; and universal, year-round pre-school from age two. We offer most of those things – and more – but we need more funds to expand eligibility. In a perfect world, we would be able to offer all of those programs to everyone, without charge.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

Grandview C-4 is doing everything possible to address the achievement gap. See the recent article in the ACSD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development): As a school board member, I can and will continue to offer my support toward these efforts. As a community member, I can and will continue to volunteer in my local elementary school. It is consistently the best part of my week. I am so proud of our students, teachers, staff, and families!

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Wright4Grandview/

Damon Greene

Damon Greene did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Monica Terry

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I have served on the Grandview Board of Education for 5 years, the last two as President. Prior to this I served on our local PTA for 10 years. I have a heart for children and a vested desire to be a voice for not only my children but for those in our district. I believe I am respected not only by district leadership, but also our educators and staff. Due to this I am able to influence the district initiatives to ensure that every student receives the best education to prepare them for life after high school.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

I believe that to educate a child you must look at the whole person, not just what grades they receive on a report card. Ensuring we address the social and emotional aspects of educating our children are just as important to success as teaching them to read, write, and do math. I will continue to stress the importance of social emotional learning (SEL) to ensure the district continues to progress forward in this area. This directly ties to overall student success, which is the primary goal of all Board of Education members.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

This is an easy one. I would ensure that all students are performing on or above grade level expectations in all subjects in all of our grade levels. Success comes in many ways, but if we can arm our children with the best education possible, this would guarantee infinite possibilities post high school.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love the diversity and inclusiveness that our students display. I love the opportunities for real world learning that our district provides through partnerships with groups such as the Kauffman Foundation, so that students who do not wish to go to college can leave high school with skills and assets to allow them to go straight into the workforce and utilize those assets immediately to make an impact. However, I most love the work we do with partners such as Cornerstones of Care to focus on the wellbeing of our students.

Campaign website: No website

Patricia Smith

Patricia Smith did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Johnmark Bell

Johnmark Bell did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Hickman Mills C-1

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Irene Kendrick

Irene Kendrick did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Brandon Wright

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I’m a former band teacher who now works as a data coordinator for a school district in Kansas City. Education is a HUGE passion of mine (hence my choice of career), as is making sure that all students succeed. I believe that every student deserves the highest quality education possible, and I don’t believe that we’re providing that consistently in Hickman Mills.

Additionally, I’ve worked in schools, been in board meetings, and understand the role of a professional school board - and good governance is something we must have to regain accreditation.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

I will focus mainly on ensuring we are on track to accreditation by making sure the students are given every opportunity we can to get them on grade level. I want student achievement to take a prominent place on the update to the board by the Superintendent so that we can ensure we’re always informed of progress.

Additionally, I would like to increase the amount of community involvement in the district. I plan to do this by staying involved in many local neighborhood groups, so that neighbors are always aware of what’s going on with the district. I will also make sure that we are proactively seeking public input on any proposals before the board.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I know that our focus needs to be on student achievement in order to regain accreditation (which is a our focus as a district), so I would want student achievement improved. If I could magically snap my fingers and the majority of students in the district were reading and doing math on grade level, I would do it! I believe that the board can support these goals by ensuring that teachers have the best pay, benefits, and administrator support in the area. Our teachers are the critical component in educating the future.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love the fact that we have a such a robust Pre-K program. Early childhood education is critical to closing the achievement gap. I also am proud that our local district is so dedicated to retaining teachers that we passed a levy to have some of the highest paid teachers in the metropolitan area.

Campaign website: https://brandonwrightkc.com

Clifford Ragan, III

Clifford Ragan, III did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Byron Townsend

Byron Townsend did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Kearney R-1

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Bree Switzer

Bree Switzer did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Nicolas Vasquez

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I proudly served sixteen years in Missouri public education; teaching vocal music, acoustic guitar, and spent my final three years as an instructional coach. What I experienced in each of these roles has given me insight and perspective to help further the District’s tradition of excellence. In addition, I am a past president of the Missouri State Teachers Association. I’m honored to have led an association focused on empowering and advocating for teachers.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

An elected leader’s essential duty is to connect to the community, actively listen, and empathize so that every resident is heard and understood. Then they must use that information to guide the mission, vision and values of the community and its residents and make it a reality in our schools.

Specifically, my top priority is to ensure that all students, teachers, and staff are safe, secure, and supported. This commitment is the basis for my decision-making process that embodies a future-forward mindset.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

To answer this question, we must first recognize that school is a vehicle for learning, for growing, to experience before and after school activities, for co-curricular activities, and for athletics. To that end, my wish would be for every kid to find their passion and have the tools, skills, and opportunities to live it out.

When school districts are able to proactively connect kids to their passions, the entire community reaps the fruits of joy, happiness, kindness, tradition, and success we’ve come to value and treasure.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

The longer I live in Kearney, the more I realize what an incredible community this is. It’s much more than welcoming and friendly, it’s a place where people embody a strong sense of community that separates us from similar towns.

Our school district is staffed and managed by many extraordinary individuals. We celebrate and cultivate a culture of integrity, resilience, and creativity. By combining an aligned approach to teaching the Missouri Learning Standards and a continued focus on these types of character traits, the school district provides our students a solid foundation and the pathways necessary to reach their goals.

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090168245240

Nancee Ruzicka

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I completed a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and two Master’s degrees in computer resource management and management. I have spent the past 30 years as an engineer and manager solving complex problems, managing people, budgets, projects and processes. I’ve traveled to many countries and worked with individuals from many cultures and I recognize the importance of respecting individual beliefs. I’ve mentored students and professionals, coached and managed youth sports. Most recently, I began publishing the Booger Patrol series of first chapter books for kids that include good messages about empathy and kindness. Education has always been important to me and now I have the opportunity and time to give back.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Security - Put together a comprehensive strategy that includes physical, facility, cyber and awareness objectives. Establishing workable processes and guidance is necessary before any procedures can be put in place or financed. We need to evaluate what we have and work from there.

Public/Private partnerships - Kearney is a great town and as a school district we need to take advantage valuable community resources. Whether it’s a retiree running a chess club or a business offering internships, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience available outside the classroom to keep kids engaged and learning. We can and should raise the bar for opportunity and raise the expectations for our kids so they can succeed no matter what.

Raise the bar - We need better schools, not lower standards. Test scores are good for the region but our kids will be competing with the world for jobs and opportunities in the future so we need to raise our expectations and help all of our students achieve them.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Apathy. As parents, caregivers and community we need to emphasize the importance of education. We need to expect more. We won’t know what our students can accomplish until we ask them to. We can and should do better and education is how we get there. Parents don’t have to go it alone, there’s a whole community that can help we just have to harness it. Lowering standards and expectations doesn’t benefit anyone.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

The kids! They want to learn; they want to excel and they want to celebrate their successes. I think we have the foundation to deliver that. This is a community that can readily support its students, we just have to offer a way to do it. There’s energy here and a fantastic group of teachers and administrators ready to harness it. We just have to give them the tools.

Campaign website: No website

Richard Cawthon

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I have worked with children and families in the past being a youth minister. I currently work with multiple groups to find common ground so that projects can move forward.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

The main concern that I would want to focus on is the safety of our children. I would want to increase the amount of resource officers we have currently to achieve this goal. This would provide peace of mind to our residents that the kids are safe while in our schools.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would like to build an environment that is conducive to keep the talented teachers and support staff that we have in our system. I know this could be ministry or even just an environment that produces a fun and exciting place to work and be at every day.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I truly love how our district puts all they have into our students. They poor their heart and soul so that our kids get the best education possible. This is what makes me excited for the future of our district.

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/696737325143949

Leonard Broughton

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

This great community opened up their arms to my family and me when my job moved me to KC area 12 years ago! I am invested and accountable to the students, staff and community. I will be a voice for them all and will listen to them and will always report back to them with answers.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. Student’s safety

2. Transparency with Teachers & Support Staff

3. Voice for students, staff and community

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Better pay for our great teachers and support staff! They are the backbone of our district.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love the programs we are offering our students! Real World Learning/ Market Value Asset and our Placed Base Education/ Lens will but our students ahead of the curve in the world we live in.

Campaign website: No website

Lee’s Summit R-7

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

William “Billy” Peterson

William “Billy” Peterson did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Regina Garrett

Regina Garrett did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Erica Dolores Miller

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

My background in behavioral health has given me experience in communicating with a wide range of people, resolving conflict, advocating for the needs of families, and evaluating the effectiveness of programs and services. Throughout my career as a therapist, I’ve been a voice for the youngest survivors of abuse, neglect, and trauma, and supported families with behavioral and educational interventions. I have worked with educators to provide developmentally appropriate programming and support for their students.

I have a strong desire to see all kids succeed in school. My children have experienced a number of academic challenges while in LSR7, specifically around dyslexia. I desire to make dyslexia and other special education services more accessible to families. I believe my ability to work collaboratively with others and my passion to see positive change for all families will help me address the challenges within our school district.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

The past three years have been a whirlwind for our students. The pandemic caused many kids to fall behind academically and suffer mentally and emotionally. I propose the creation of a Student Assistance Program to provide students with free access to mental health services. This will include counseling, support groups, and prevention programs. This program can be funded through a combination of grants and philanthropic dollars. As a board member, I will seek to partner with community stakeholders to spearhead this work.

The success of our school district demands that we provide competitive pay to our teaching staff and additional opportunities for professional development. Teachers are the backbone of our education system. Higher pay and more time for collaboration will ensure educators are at their best. I support the debt service levy on the April ballot and using these funds to address this issue.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

My wish is that all of our struggling learners have the programs they need to succeed. As the parent of a dyslexic child, I know all about the tears during nightly homework and feelings of helplessness that parents have when the educational system seems like it’s working against them. Far too many families are in this situation.

Our district must prioritize improving access to dyslexia and other special education programs. This is my primary motivation for running for Lee’s Summit Board of Education. I want to bring these experiences to the school board and work hard for change.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

Our district has a number of curriculum offerings and extra-curricular activities that are excellent. From our AP classes to our robotics programs, STA, and our aeronautics program, LSR7 has consistently grown the curriculum offerings for families and that’s a huge reason why our school district remains a destination district for families across the KC metro.

Our robotics team recently competed and won several honors at the World Championships, our swim team won All-American honors for academics, and 250 students K- 8th graders received the Biliteracy Pathway Award. These are amazing accomplishments happening in our district.

Campaign website: https://www.ericaforlsr7.com/

Dr. Kamile Johnson

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

As a pharmacist and professor, I have experience tackling complex issues and working with diverse populations and points of view. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of people. I believe my background in problem-solving and critical thinking would help our district identify and address future challenges.

I currently manage a $9.4M budget as VP of Pharmacy Services at a local health center. I assist individuals with a range of conditions, including mental health and substance use disorders.

My work in the classroom involves teaching practical skills to pharmacy students to assist them in their careers. I am familiar with curriculum development, educational research, and evaluating educational programs.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

LSR7 has a debt service levy on the April ballot. If approved, $5.4 million dollars will be added to the district’s general operating fund. I’m committed to using these funds to increase salaries and hourly wages so our employee compensation is competitive across the region. I would ensure this pay increase applied to teachers, bus drivers and bus aides, food service workers, administrative staff, paraprofessionals, facilities management, and other non-executive level staff.

District leadership must provide our teachers with the resources they need to be successful in the classroom. Teachers are experts in their field and deserve to teach without interference. I would prioritize creating collaborative and supportive environments for teachers to thrive.

Providing additional mental health resources is essential to student health and well-being. I will leverage my healthcare background to grow relationships between the school district and community partners to support a holistic approach to student success.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would snap my fingers and close the academic achievement gap, so all of our children were thriving academically and socially. In reality, it is going to take intentional leadership to close the academic achievement gap over time. This is attainable if our district is committed to governing through a lens of fairness and collaboration.

Additionally, our school district must build stronger partnerships with families and community members. Stakeholder engagement is essential to close achievement gaps. We must engage families in the education process and create opportunities for families to participate in the decisions being made that affect their children.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

Our families. They are the greatest resource we have as a school district. Lee’s Summit is a great community. As it continues to grow and become more diverse, it will experience the growing pains that all communities go through as its identity shifts to accommodate growth and diversity.

Traditionally, our district has been known for top-notch academic performance and for ensuring kids are college ready. As our community evolves, our school district must evolve with it and lead in shaping the community of the future while working collaboratively with families to address issues as they arise.

Campaign website: DrKjforLSR7.com

Stacy Cronhardt

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

My family has lived in Lee’s Summit for 20 years and my children, high school students now, have attended LSR7 since kindergarten. I have a vested interest in the success of this district and will bring a parent’s perspective to the board. I have a deep understanding of the district’s culture, strengths, and challenges.

As an occupational therapist of 23 years, I have worked with children and families in a variety of settings. Working in a multi-disciplinary team situation, I have the privilege to collaborate with other professionals who bring their own expertise to the table to work toward the common goal of restoring the quality of life of our patients. I will bring this appreciation for collaboration to the school board.

I’m confident these experiences will help me address the needs of all students, particularly students with special needs and those who may be struggling academically or socially.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Fixing teacher pay discrepancies is very important to me. Fair and full compensation is necessary to retain and recruit qualified educators to continue our district’s legacy of academic success.

Improving communication between students, families, educators, staff, and all individual stakeholders in the community is paramount to moving forward and working together in a politically divisive climate. I will strive to bring all voices to the discussion and work with all stakeholders to find common ground and implement solutions that help children succeed.

I am committed to addressing teenage vaping in schools. Our district must equip families with the tools they need to have these important conversations with their children. As a school district, we have to allocate resources to educate kids against vaping and help those who do to quit. The focus cannot solely be on punitive measures like suspensions and expulsions.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Currently – and increasingly so in the past few years – there is a divisive climate that exists within our school district and in our community. If this could be changed in a snap, I would do so. When our community is divided because of political viewpoints it destroys our ability to learn from one another, and our children suffer the most. Collaboration is key to the success and sustainability of the district. The past three years have brought increased challenges to effective communication. I have faith that all voices can meet at the conversation table for the common good.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

The quality staff we have in our school district is really outstanding. Our educators are some of the best in the region, and the often overlooked staff, like bus drivers, custodians, and food service workers, play an oversized role in making our district great. Our staff deserves to feel appreciated for their dedication and hard work, and not just with special recognition, but with higher wages and improved working conditions. I want to focus on getting this accomplished during my time on the school board.

Campaign website: www.Stacyforlsr7.com

David Grady

David Grady did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Kathryn “Kathy” Campbell

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

Serving on the board for the past 3 years and as Board President this past year I bring strong board experience and learning.

I am a leader focused on building relationships, listening and collaboration. Bringing in differing viewpoints and expertise makes for better decisions always focused on our students and their educational opportunities.

I am a Change Champion thinking about the impacts change brings and helping our students, families, staff and community understand the why for the change and engaging them as part of the change process.

I am not afraid to ask tough questions - for clarification and understanding or to spur discussion and debate – I’m not afraid to have tough conversations to accelerate us to get to our shared vision.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Strategic Planning & Focus – continuing to advance our Board Priorities, our current Strategic Plan (CSIP) and in development in our next CSIP as well as our next Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan taking us into the future for our district

Accountability to ensure we do what we promise and identifying and tracking the metrics in the district to ensure progress on commitments made to students, staff and our community

Transparency that ensures actionable two-way communication with our students, staff and community engagement at all levels

I will work in collaboration with board members, district leadership and our stakeholders ensuring there’s alignment on these priorities and engagement to move them forward.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

In our district - we do an amazing job in sharing information out both at the building level and more broadly at the district level, where I think we have an opportunity is to implement tools that better engage and provide feedback, information and questions so we can truly hear from students, families, staff and our community - they need to be easy and quick to use but we’ve got to be intentional and provide avenues to hear from everyone

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love so much about this district – I love our students. I love all the amazing learning opportunities for our students and ways they can participate! I love our staff that care - about our students and providing them strong academic rigor, supports to succeed and opportunities to learn and grow. I love our district leadership who are building for the future, engaging the community and being out in the buildings. I love our community who trust and support our district in so many ways – being engaged and volunteering across the district lifting up our students and our staff.

Campaign website: https://www.kathy4lsr7kids.com/

Liberty 53

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Jenn Bauer

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am currently a substitute teacher for LPS. I was also very involved with LPS educators and support staff starting in 2016 as a PTSA officer for 6 years (4 years as President) and was awarded the Missouri PTA Distinguished Service Award. These experiences have given me the opportunity to engage with students and staff on a different level than other candidates. I currently have students in the district, who have been in LPS schools for their entire education. That provides me the ability to reflect on the changes in LPS over the last 12 years. I have attended all LPS board meetings for over a year. I filed for candidacy in December, but my school board “experience” was rooted long before that.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. I am eager to encourage a positive, respectful relationship among all LPS stakeholders, encouraging trust that LPS is keeping our students education and well-being the priority over anything else.

2. I feel term limits are healthy for any organization to provide new ideas, passionate energy, positivity, and inclusive representation from all LPS constituents.

3. I’ve had a front row seat for several years, as a volunteer, a substitute teacher, and a parent of current students. There are many things LPS does well, and I am determined to do what I can to continue LPS’s path of excellence in education. A focus on reading, writing, math and science curriculum is most urgent.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

That students, educators and support staff, parents, and tax-payers would be pleased and proud of our district’s ability to educate our student and prepare them for life after LPS. That everyone would believe and trust that an LPS education can’t be beat.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love that many of our educators live in our community and raise their children in our district. That we are are neighbors, vested in our community, with a shared vision to keep our community strong, and our students thriving.

Campaign website: jennbauerforlps.com

Luba Koval

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am a single mother of 3 amazing kids, one is a recent graduate and the other two are in elementary school. I am an immigrant born in the former Soviet Union. As an immigrant, non-Native English speaker, and single mom I can provide a voice for others in our District that are like me. While my story may not be one of a typical school board member, that is exactly why it’s so important I am running- so others like me can be represented at the table.

My professional experience as a realtor with my own business, lends itself to me understanding how to run the business of a school district. I understand budgeting, marketing, and am up-to-date on the happenings of our community. I have assisted many families in finding a home in my community because they are as proud of the LPS 53 District as I am!

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. A return to academic excellence: As a mom, I sought out the LPS 53 school district, because of the quality of the schools. However, currently 44% of LPS students are proficient in Math and 44% are proficient in science according to MAP testing. There is no ignoring the negative impact the pandemic had on education. We return to academic excellence by supporting and investing in a school’s most powerful resource- it’s teachers.

2. Promoting Safety in the Schools: Currently, we have 11 security officers and no School Resource Officers (SRO’s), as our final SRO has been recently promoted and is being replaced with a security officer. I strongly believe there should be 1 SRO in each of our 3 high schools and 4 middle schools.

3. Parental Rights: Put simply, parent partnership is key to a child’s success. Student success is dependent on a support system, of teachers and parents working together.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

The academic achievement gap caused by COVID would vanish! As we’re now in the recovery phase of the pandemic, there is no ignoring the negative impact it had on learning. LPS standardized test scores declined on our most recent scorecard and we must prioritize academic excellence. I am concerned about the extra work it is going to take to get our kids back on track. We cannot lower the bar going forward. Instead we must return to academic excellence and find innovative solutions to get our students excelling at the rate they were pre-pandemic.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I am thankful my children graduated from and currently attend schools in the LPS District because of the sense of community and overall strong school system. I know that as my children continue at LPS, they are completing each school year the best version of them they can be. Their character is stronger and they’re ready to take on the next grade! I am also really proud of all of the community partnerships that support LPS. This greatly enhances our student’s experience and sets them up for success at graduation.

Campaign website: https://www.lubakovalforlibertypublicschools.com/

Angela Reed

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

As a parent I know firsthand the excellent education provided by LPS. As a patron & retired educator I understand the educational value of a first-rate public school district. As a board member I want to ensure all LPS students have opportunities for success.

I continue to substitute teach to continue to have an understanding of challenges and adventures teachers face daily in the classroom. I also regularly visit staff and students in the buildings to celebrate successes and listen to concerns.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Working with staff members collaboratively to address this issue is one way to address the issue of recruiting and retaining quality staff. It is important that staff feel valued and heard when dealing with the issue of salary and benefits.

I would also continue to support the work that has begun in the LPS district regarding diversity and inclusion, as well as the social-emotional learning supports that are in place throughout district schools.

Continuing to look forward, LPS has begun many programs that benefit our students beginning in elementary school and culminating in high school as they prepare to move on to some type of post-secondary life.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would provide teachers and staff with salary and benefits that are commensurate with the job they hold regarding the education of our students. Teachers & staff are underpaid for the multitude of expectations placed upon them each day by our society. Staff often use their own money to supplement classroom needs. Educating our children is one of the most important jobs we have and salary and benefits should reflect the importance of the job.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I have enjoyed watching the plethora of programs that are found in our classrooms to benefit students. These programs have changed how our students learn, work together to solve problems, how students take control of their own learning and the questions they ask. It has been exciting to look at the programs that benefit our students and prepare them to be successful both their current setting and their post-secondary endeavors.

Campaign website: Angi Reed: Liberty Board of Education

AJ Byrd

AJ Byrd did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Kira Montuori

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

To start, I have 16 years of experience in nonprofit leadership advocating for children. This experience has afforded me detailed understanding of fiscal management and budgeting, program development, strategic planning and human resources. More importantly, it has afforded me the opportunity to live out my passion for kids. Personally, I have four kids. I have also mentored, along with my husband, multiple at-risk and vulnerable youth in our community.

To say I am the best candidate feels overly presumptuous but I do believe I bring a commitment to children, a love for teachers and desire to see our schools succeed that is unmatched.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Teachers have been under tremendous scrutiny the past few years. They are also asked to do more than just teach. A top priority for me will be looking at how we can better compensate, support and honor their commitment to our students.

I appreciate many of the district’s strategic directions, specifically with individualized learning and real world learning initiatives. With a district of diverse learners, I value creating an environment that helps each student achieve success. I will work hard to help create opportunities to further these efforts.

When teachers have the resources they need and students are ready to learn, academic excellence can be achieved. Teachers cannot teach students if they cannot reach them. I will lean on my experience in advancing mental wellness in children to help create an environment that facilitates learning for everyone.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

If infrastructure and resources were available, I would snap my fingers and reduce class sizes. Smaller class sizes allow for more personalized education and increased achievement outcomes. Classroom management and student engagement is also improved with smaller classes.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

Through my children’s education, we have had experience at four different schools in our district and I have been most impressed with the quality and character of the teachers and staff we have encountered. That is why supporting them is a top priority for me. With educators leaving the field and burnout at a high, the strength of our district depends on continuing to retain and attract high-quality staff and teachers that are motivated to bring out the best in our students.

Campaign website: https://kiraforlps.wixsite.com/kira-montuori-for-lp

Brian Ahart

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

The school board’s purpose is to advise and provide consent to the district leadership team. As a business leader with more than 30 years of experience in consulting, process re-engineering, and project management makes me a qualified candidate. I work in a collaborative environment and deal with difficult situations on a daily basis, and these skills translate to being an effective member of the Liberty School Board.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

My No. 1 goal, if elected, is to continue to focus on the learning gap created by the pandemic. Initiatives like Across Liberty Literacy, offered at the elementary level, should be re-evaluated and potentially expanded to the middle level to help close the learning gap. Additionally, finding ways to attract top talent and improve attention in the hiring process is essential. For example, shortening the time between interviews to offer.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would change how new initiatives are implemented across the district. As a process improvement consultant, I reviewed, researched, and listened to individuals involved to provide a more efficient and effective way of completing the same tasks. Students, Faculty, and Parents must understand the purpose of the new initiative and its expected results. District leadership should adequately train faculty and create an effective communication plan to ensure that dollars are not wasted on a poorly implemented initiative.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

What I love about Liberty Public Schools is the caring culture created by the faculty and staff in each building. They strive to create a safe learning environment that allows our students to be their authentic selves!

Campaign website: ahart4lps53.com

Amanda Beers

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

Though I was a high school teacher in Tennessee, I am currently a substitute teacher in our Liberty school district. I normally sub in the secondary schools, but now I’ve taken a position as the building sub for Liberty Middle School. My subbing has allowed me to be in the schools in our district, to get to know students, to meet teachers and to see what’s happening in the classrooms. I know I can bring that experience to the Board of Education, can share what is actually happening in the classrooms, and use that to make better informed decisions for the district.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

My biggest priority is the mental health of our students (and educators). Being in the classrooms, I have seen first-hand that there is a mental health crisis in our society. These kids are suffering, and their behavior is unlike anything I’ve seen before, especially in the middle schools. The teachers are struggling. We all need help. We need more training and resources available for educators to recognize and deal with suicide and depression. We need to take off the advertisement and coupon for a smoothie shop from the back of the high school IDs and replace it with suicide and depression emergency hotlines.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Better resources for mental health! We could have a committee of specially trained mental health workers to oversee the district (little kids have big feelings, and they need help too!). They could work with each school, implement a reintegration plan for students returning to school after suicide attempts, and provide educators with resources they need to help our kids.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love the kids in the district. Being in the schools as a sub, I have gotten to know so many kids, and they’re all amazing. As a parent, my children have had wonderful experiences in their schools and have made great friendships. The students in our district really make everything worth it.

Campaign website: amandabeersforlps53.com

Karl Cox

Karl Cox did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Lone Jack C-6

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Ashlea Marie Owings

Ashlea Marie Owings did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Dannny Barker

Danny Barker did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Brian Allen Schrader

Brian Allen Schrader did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Meribeth Ezell

Meribeth Ezell did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

North Kansas City 74

You can vote for two candidates for a three-year term.

Josiah Bechthold

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

Ultimately, the most important qualification for serving on a school board is a commitment to promoting high-quality education and serving the needs of all students in the community. I have ample professional experience operating in large organizations My military experience has given me strong leadership, decision-making skills, and a commitment to serving a larger mission or cause, qualities are essential for effective governance, where board members must make difficult decisions about policy, resource allocation, and educational programming.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

I am running for the North Kansas City school board to promote transparency and ensure that parents and students are respected in the education system. As a board member, I will work to create policies and procedures that prioritize open communication and access to information, so that parents and community members can stay informed and involved in the decision-making process. I will also advocate for parents’ rights to have a say in their child’s education, including the right to choose the best learning environment for their child. I hope create a more accountable and responsive education system that puts students and families first

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

If I were to hypothetically answer this question, I would say that I would prioritize improving access to quality education for all students in the district. Education is crucial for the development and success of individuals and communities, and ensuring equal access to education can help address societal inequalities and improve overall quality of life.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I can say that one thing I love about the North Kansas City school district in general is our ability to bring together diverse communities and provide opportunities for individuals to learn and grow. The North Kansas City School district can foster a sense of belonging and provide resources for students to pursue their interests and passions. Additionally, dedicated educators within school districts can make a lasting impact on students’ lives, helping them to develop skills and knowledge that will serve them well into the future.

Campaign website: www.votejosiah.com

Karee Gleason

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am a current member of the North Kansas City Board of Education. In my three (3) years on the board, I have navigated this district through some of the most controversial topics that this school district has seen. I attended NKC schools from 1984 until I graduated from Oak Park in 1995. My family has strong roots in the Northland. I worked for my dad, David Gleason, at Northland Legal Services for many years. It is here that my passion for helping others became real. I was a Clay County Court Appointed Special Advocate for children and a volunteer counselor for the Metropolitan Organization to Combat Sexual Assault. I have a daughter who graduated from Staley High School last year after attending K-12 in NKC Schools. Currently I have a sophomore daughter at Staley and a son who is in 1st grade at Bell Prairie.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

The most important contribution I have made as a board member was to take part in the strategic planning of the 2022-2027 NKCSD Strategic Plan. This process included parents, teachers, principals, students, administration, and board members who gathered to create the district’s 5-year strategic plan. The process was beautiful, smart, and collaborative. The result was a strategic plan that embodies the mission of this district to be relentless champions for all students. Each year the board considers the strategic plan when establishing the district’s annual goals. My top priorities are: growing, retaining and diversifying the teacher pipeline;addressing the root causes of mental health and school safety crises; and preparing students for the world they live in.I will work with district leadership and fellow board members to set comprehensive goals. I will continue to support our relationships with community partners. I will listen, learn, and then lead.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

If I could snap my fingers and change one thing in our district, it would be that the diverse needs of every student would be individually met. I would ensure an equitable education in every school, in every feeder pattern, from Winnetonka to Staley, by giving each student what they need to succeed.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

Our students are what I love most about this district. Everyday our students overcome adversity, celebrate wins, tackle challenges, and fight the odds. They promote social justice, they speak their minds, they publish their opinions, and they stand their ground. Our students are resilient and strong; intelligent and imaginative; leaders and thinkers.

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/KareeGleason/

Laura Wagner

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I have been volunteering with the district for years. I served for five years on the NKCSD Education Foundation Board, including as Chair, and helped put $500,000 in grant and scholarship funds in the hands of teachers and students. I currently serve on the Industry Executive Committee to support the Pathways program - introducing students to future careers. I work with the public in my day job, and have served on other boards with large budgets. I have worked with the trades, introducing people to a job with a future. On the school board, all of these skills will be utilized.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

I am running for the North Kansas City School Board for three reasons:

1. The students - students are the focus of every choice the school board makes, and I want to see that priority continue.

2. The teachers and staff - individual schools are short-staffed and losing experienced teachers. We need to show our teachers how much we value them in the choices we are making at the board level. We need to show students why a teaching career is a good choice.

3. I take the role of Board Member seriously. I will show up and work for the people of the North Kansas City School District.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would increase the staff numbers. Teacher and staff shortages are a large, looming problem for the district. As other organizations know, there aren’t enough people for all the work that needs to be done. Teaching is not a glamorous or high-paying career, and can be very thankless work. College students who considered becoming a teacher have chosen another career path. Teachers who could retire early, have chosen to do so. We need to find creative ways to support the teachers we have now, and recruit new teachers and staff - bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and more. The students need the support, and so do the teachers. I will do my best to make sure the students and teachers have the support they need to excel.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

The North Kansas City School District’s motto is to be a Champion for All Students. I believe they do their best to make sure this motto is lived through daily actions. In every school I have visited, and every event and board meeting attended, I see examples of the teachers and staff going beyond what is needed to meet student needs. The students excel because of these caring people.

Campaign website: wagnerfornkcschools.com

Maren Stoflet

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

My experiences as past President of a small school board, professional experiences, as well as our family experience with students who have lived in several states make me highly qualified to serve as part of the NKC School Board. Our family’s experience living in three states allowed me to be involved and learn different types of school districts of varying sizes. Since moving to Kansas City in 2020, my family has become increasingly involved in our NKC community. I’m active in my children’s school activities as well as networking across the school district. I also serve as a Parent Representative on the NKC Schools School Health Advisory Council (SHAC).

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

My top policy priorities are safety and health. This includes the physical, mental, and psychological safety and health of our students and staff. I believe there are opportunities for growth in our NKC School District’s investment and advancement of safety and health measures. Specifically with regard to mental health and safety, I would work toward increasing mental health support tools, programs, and access to mental health professionals.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

If I could change one thing in the district, it would be that every one of our students would have equal and ready access to any service they need. While this would be a goal to work toward, I understand it is complex. Realistically this takes deep engagement, coordinated efforts, resources, and is ever-changing.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

When my husband and I were in the process of relocating to the Kansas City area from out of state, we did our homework in exploring schools across the Kansas City metro. We have two school-age children and chose to live in Kansas City, MO because of the diversity, growth and academic strength of the North Kansas City School District. I love that the NKC School District puts empowering each student for success at the forefront of its mission.

Campaign website: No website

Brian Mercer

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

• NKC Schools PTA Council President 2015-2022
• 2017-2022 5 Year Strategic Planning Steering Committee Member (the committee that has final say on approving the 5 year plan.)
• NKC-NEA 2015-2016 District Advocate of the Year
• Missouri PTA 2016-2017 Regional Director
• NKC Schools 2020 Bond and Levy Committee Co-Chairperson
• NKC Schools 2020 District Volunteer of the Year
• Oak Park High School 2019 Volunteer of the Year
• Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians 2021 Advocate of the Year
• Created and implemented the current Student Led NKC Schools Board of Education Candidate Forum
• Social Media Club of Kansas City 2020-2021 Vice President
• Girls on the Run Serving Greater Kansas City Development & Planning Committee member 2017-2020
• Proudly inducted into the Liberty High School Hall of Fame in 2021 for my years of community volunteer work and leadership work
• NKC Schools Education Foundation Board Member 2015-2022

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

• Equity and Inclusion
• Future Technologies
• Communications

For the last 8 years, I’ve served as the North Kansas City School District PTA Council President. I’ve spent that time advocating, working and cheering for the betterment of our students, teachers, parents and community. I would be honored to continue that work and these policy priorities as a Board of Education member!

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Higher pay for teachers and staff. Equal learning opportunities for all students.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

Serving the students, teachers, staff, parents and community of NKC Schools for the past 8 years has been some of the most important and fulfilling years of my life. I love everything about our school district and everyone in it! I look forward to many more years!

Campaign website: Facebook page: Brian Mercer for North Kansas City School Board

North Platte R-I

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Jeff Hinton

Incumbent? Yes

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am currently a manager and work in team environments. I am a team player and work well with others. Other important qualifications are honesty and integrity. I have no “hidden agendas” and would like to help the school district to continue moving in the right direction.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

One of my priorities is to continue to work to increase parental involvement. Another priority is the continued education/awareness around bullying.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would love for our teachers to be paid more. We are a rural district and do not have the funds to complete with larger districts, but if I could snap my fingers and it changes, I would love to increase teacher salaries.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

Our district is a small district, which enables us to have smaller classes with more 1:1 interaction with the teachers. The community of our district is very close knit as well which is great.

Campaign website: No website

James Steven Kubly

James Steven Kubly did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Rebecca (Becky) Hoffman

Becky Hoffman did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Jennifer Ralston

Jennfier Ralston did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Oak Grove R-VI

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Keith Moyer

Keith Moyer did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Jason Leroy Brown

Jason Leroy Brown did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Theresa Honeycutt

Theresa Honeycutt did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Tamara Kirk

Tamara Kirk did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Platte County R-III

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Tyler Fadler

Tyler Fadler did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Matt Craine

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I grew up as the child of two public school educators. I witnessed the dedication and sacrifice they gave to a profession that never paid them what teachers are truly worth. My entire educational career, kindergarten through graduate school, took place in public schools as well. Access to quality, affordable education allowed me to obtain my Doctorate degree and pursue my dream career in physical therapy. As a parent, I am even more aware of the importance of our schools. My life has been significantly shaped by public education. Every child deserves to have the same opportunity to pursue their dreams.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Support teachers. We pride our district on giving high-level education to all students but we cannot do this without top-notch educators. District policies should support them to do what they do best. We must also continue to explore ways to increase compensation to retain current staff and attract new staff from various backgrounds.

Ensure opportunity for all students, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, economic status or where they live within our district. Students cannot thrive when they do not feel safe or supported. This includes providing equal opportunities for the north and south end of the district whenever possible.

Expand early education opportunities. We have a good start for early education already, but I think we can make it more accessible to allow greater participation. Exploring multiple locations, expanded hours and increased staff are all possibilities.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Significantly increase teacher and staff compensation. We are blessed with extraordinary teachers and staff that create a culture conducive to education for our students. We can solidify the district’s position as an employer of choice in the region by retaining current staff and attracting new high-quality staff.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I am amazed at the bond between our schools and the community. As a parent of a child in the district, my appreciation for this sense of community has only strengthened. I see it in the packed stands of frigid football games on Friday nights, at monthly school board meetings where our staff have committed countless hours dedicated to improving our children’s lives, and I see it daily in the face of my daughter as she continues to thrive with the support of her teachers and the community. Platte County R-III is where we want to raise our daughter.

Campaign website: https://sites.google.com/view/matt4pcr3

Amy M. MacCuish

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I served on the PCR-III School Board from 2018-2021. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner so am familiar with the struggles facing our student population. I also have two graduates from the school district and a current high school student. I am a strong and faithful parent, professional, and citizen. who values quality education in a safe, supportive, engaging, and structured environment.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

One top policy priority that comes to mind is looking at adoption of school curriculum. When I was in school, a district chose textbooks and this was what was used. There are tried and true learning methods, but now it seems we are creating, evolving, picking and choosing the curriculum. This seems complicated, less standardized and places more work on the teachers when they already have too much.

Budget management is always a top priority, ensuring we are able to compensate our teachers competitively while maintaining our buildings and planning for growth.

Safety of our schools is another imperative. We need to ensure all of our doors have controlled access and are staffed with an appropriate number of school resource officers.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

My one thing I would want to change involves the mindset of the students. This involves removal of all negative and distracting influences. This one thing (removal of social media, vaping, drugs, violence, bullying). Removing the negative and distracting could improve the environment so much, decreasing the depression and anxiety leading to suicide and substance use and restoring a love and value in learning. I realize this is not actually a district change, but my desire to help our hurting students by influencing the school environment in which they learn is at the core of why I am running for office.

I see the results of these negative influences on a daily basis through my care of children as a pediatric nurse practitioner. I see it in ages 3 thru 18. I see children start out excited for school and see that excitement decrease each year. It’s not everybody, but it is too many and my heart breaks daily.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

What I love most about the Platte County R -III School District is the small town, family feel. I hope that as the district grows we are able to maintain the tight-knit small town feel. As a previous military family, this family feeling is what grabbed my heartstrings and resulted in us returning and retiring in Missouri. The district is able to provide a solid education with a breadth of extracurricular activities.

Campaign website: No website

Bobby Vann

Bobby Vann did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Sharon Sherwood

Sharon Sherwood did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Raytown C-2

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Shaun Bryant

Shaun Bryant did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Dr. Madelyne Renee’ Douglas

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am an educator, administrator, trainer, and community advocate. and faith-based leader with many years of passion and experience working with youth and families. I’ve served as a Program Director for Niles Home for Children (21yrs), and a Professor at Faith Bible College (22 years). and on the Boards of Directors for Habitat for Humanity, Faith Bible College, Reasons to Believe and other Educational and Faith-based organizations, working for improvements, creating policies, and advocating for community awareness and support. I am also an alumni member of “Greater Missouri Women in Leadership”.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. Working on policies for effective “Family and Community Involvement”. I understand that the success or failure of our students begins at home, in the school system and throughout a concerned community, we must connect the dots.

2. Work on policies for more extensive training in; “Mental Health Awareness, Trauma Informed Care, Behavior Management and Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Training”, for teachers, staff and administration.

3. Work on policies for how the finances are allocated and making sure adequate monies are spent in an effective way to benefit the educational needs and environment of the children.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Work on ways to improve “Behavior Management and Safety” in the schools to drastically reduce, misconduct, suspension and expulsion, and encourage better strategies for student enrollment, retention and graduation.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love the fact that I am meeting other Raytown Citizens through this process that have the same heart as I do for seeing change as it pertains to community connections for our student’s success, especially with the changing demographics in the Raytown School District. I even see the police and city official truly becoming even more interested in the success of our students. I see the “Racial Divide” slowly closing as we get to know one another and put away our fears and historical pain to build an even stronger school district.

Campaign website: https://www.drmadelynedouglas.com/

Jules Sneddon

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics (Summa Cum Laude) and a Master of Arts in Communication and Education (Alpha Chi Honors). I am currently a doctoral candidate for a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership: Higher Education Leadership. I have 7 years of experience in higher education. I taught junior high and high school students at a private school for 6 years. I have 25 years of senior level executive business experience in sales, marketing, operations, and profit & loss management, as well as business development, start-up operations, and team development. I have chaired and co-chaired many boards throughout my lifetime. I have 5 grown children that live in Raytown. I love our community and believe that I have unique life experiences and an education that makes me an asset to our community, school district, and our education board. I want to give back to our community.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

My first policy priority is retention of our current classified and certified school staff (we have a 17% attrition rate/average is 9.5%) and attraction of new classified and certified school staff. Specific steps would be surveying current staff to see how we can improve for better job satisfaction, as well as paying our school staff a living wage, in order to get people to come on board and stay on board. My second policy priority would be academics and our graduation rate (which is below state averages). We need to study and emulate school districts with highly successful outcomes and then set forth a plan to improve our outcomes with measurable expectations (and not just testing scores). My third policy priority is attendance (our average is 69.3%; we need closer to 90%) and encouraging and supporting parental involvement. Attendance affects our state funding and that affects everything.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would change that we do not have a resource officer on every single one of our campuses for the protection and safety of our students and staff, as well as for the implementation of a truancy intervention program so we can build relationships with parents, see regular school attendance, improvement in academic performance, and possible behavior change. The amount of money that would come in from the state if we raised our attendance to 90% or better, would more than pay for these officers, as well as for a living wage for staff, and many much needed programs.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I especially love the diversity of our school district and the love of our administrators, teachers, classified staff, and parents for the children of Raytown. I love that our principals and teachers go way above the call of duty for our students, and that I have had the pleasure of experiencing this first hand. I believe that as a district and community that we have a collective duty to our future, which is our children, and I think that Raytown is is on the verge of something really great!

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/Jules-Sneddon-for-Raytown-C-2-School-Board-112686765080120

Michael Watson Jr.

Michael Watson Jr. did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Torrence Kelley

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I hold two Bachelor’s Degrees, the first in Business Management and the second being Accounting. I have over 10 years of leadership experience managing large staffs. I manage a successful accounting practice and am currently preparing to sit for the Certified Public Accounting exams.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

My first priority will be to improve the image of the district. We have a great deal to be proud of in our district and that has not translated in an image of success. Succeeding at improving our image will help in the recruiting and retainment effort for faculty which would be my next focus. Lastly Parent and student buy-in within the district will be key along with empowering student choice and participation. Supporting the PTA back to where it was pre-covid would be a big step in bolstering the support structure for our students to thrive in.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Pay our faculty a wage reflective of their hard work and dedication. Our district has found true successes and persevered through a plethora of challenges. There is no doubt that we have gotten here on the shoulders of our faculty. Retainment and recruitment is key moving forward.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I see such a bright future in our students and this district has laid the ground work for their success.

Campaign website: No website

Nodie Newton III

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I’ve dealt with children in the community and the schools for over 20 years. I have great relationships with in the community with coaches, parents and teachers that I have gotten to know thru out the years. I know how to help in assisting young people achieving they’re goals. This is a passion not work, I’m qualified to help in many situations.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

1. Respect policy

2. Discipline policy

3. Attendance policy

I would ask that we offer empathy training, effective communication and some type of diversion policy, youth court and other things of that nature to address these policies

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

More support for the teachers, I feel it would only help our children tremendously. The quality of education and would improve.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love that they’re making change, asking the community are their concerns. The new superintendent is truly engaged and in the community asking questions about how to make things better and really wants to see change. That partly of what makes me want to see this be great again.

Campaign website: No website

Rick Moore

Rick Moore did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Smithville R-II

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Samantha Oryshyn

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

As a mother of three young children, I am deeply vested in the district and community as decisions made will impact them for years to come. I want to ensure responsible and positive decisions are being made for our students and teachers. I coach my children’s sports teams through Smithville Parks & Recreation and volunteer at their school when the opportunity is available. At work, my daily interactions include leading a team of cost report auditors and collaborating with supervisors, managers, and more to manage and complete work in a timely manner. These skills will serve me well as a board member to work with other board members and to be an active participant in discussions to ensure decisions made are in the best interest of the children.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

My top priorities are students first and community partnerships. Our children should always come first when it comes to their education. Smithville has great teachers that play a significant role in providing our students’ education.

Our educators should be compensated in a way that aligns with the district’s academic excellence. Retaining our teachers and attracting new quality candidates will benefit students greatly and create consistency.

Smithville receives great support from parents and the community and furthering relationships between the school, teachers, parents, and community will only strengthen these partnerships. Families, specifically parents, play an integral role in the education of their children. Actions speak louder than words, therefore, we should be showing our children how to succeed rather than telling them.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

The biggest challenge facing the district currently is teacher pay and retention. Our children are the future and the best thing we can do for them is give them great teachers and role models, outside of doing that as a parent. Smithville has amazing teachers and to ensure that those teachers want to stay with the district, we must be competitive with pay, benefits, and other incentives. This will signal that Smithville is serious about not only retaining our teachers, but that we want to be highly competitive with other districts in the area to attract new teachers as well.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

What I love most about the district is that Smithville is the perfect size and has that small-town feel while being competitive with academics and athletics. School events are community events, and everyone has their Warrior gear. One of my family’s favorites is going to the Homecoming parade and coming home with lots of candy. Go Warriors!

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088956256050

Stacia Cudd

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

In my career working for an association, I served the needs of hundreds of people across the country. There were varying opinions and needs. I learned how to listen to the different voices and work with a variety of people to meet the needs of our members. School Board members hear a wide range of opinions and needs from many voices, all while making decisions that have far-reaching impacts. I will use my previous experience to ask the right questions and make informed decisions on behalf of Smithville students.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

Our students are my top priority. Our students need a strong school with the best educators and administrators. I will support efforts to foster a competitive culture where top teachers choose, grow, and stay in Smithville.

Opportunities lie ahead for our community. I want to be part of the team that leverages those for the betterment of our schools, including more competitive pay for our teachers.

I know the benefit of programs like Parents as Teachers. The early years of a child’s life are a critical time of development and early childhood programs, particularly PAT, provide a foundation for success in school. I will work to ensure this, and programs like it, have the support needed.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

Without a doubt it would be to increase our school district’s base teacher salary. When compared with 22 area schools, we rank #22. We need to do better for our teachers. If it was as simple as snapping my fingers, I would increase our E10 base salary so that our ranking jumped into the Top 10. Our teachers have a passion for education and students. We must show them we value the important role they play. I want Smithville to be an attractive option for high quality candidates. Once they come to Smithville, I want them to stay in Smithville.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

As a proud Smithville graduate, I love that people come to our community for our schools. We have a strong academic reputation based on strong academic performance. That is one reason the community takes a great deal of pride in the school district. That strong foundation of pride and long-held community values are the things we can build on as we keep pressing ahead to make our district even greater than it is today.

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090164257173

Brooke Perkins

Incumbent? No

What specific experiences make you the most qualified candidate to serve in this position?

I am an excellent collaborator. I have many years of experience managing a team, facilitating training of large groups of diverse individuals, and implementing new products and service tools. I have a lot of knowledge and continuing education in various parts of the financial industry that I know will be beneficial in understanding district finances and decision making. I am a working mother of 4 children, 3 of which are currently attending one of the schools in our district and the youngest in Montessori. The decisions and programs implemented within our district will impact my family long term and we want to take part in shaping of the future of Smithville.

What will be your top 1-3 policy priorities in office, and what specific steps do you plan to take in pursuit of those?

I want to support and expand upon “real-world learning”, “grow a teacher”, and “portrait of a graduate”. Each of these programs provides opportunity to help our students be better prepared and feel confident in the decisions they make for their lives after school. Community engagement opportunities and assistance with expanding outside the Smithville community is needed to support these exciting programs. I will work to find a way to provide more competitive pay to our extraordinary educators. With extensive communication we can bring awareness and education to administration, our community, and our families and build trust between each to strengthen the foundations of Smithville.

If you could snap your fingers and change one thing in your district (just one!) immediately upon taking office, what would it be and why?

I would provide competitive compensation to our educators and staff so that we can attract and retain high quality individuals who are tasked with the care and education of the future of our society.

Lastly, tell us a bit about what you love most about your district.

I love the care and dedication of the educators and support staff. Their drive for success is infectious and inspires students and the community in so many ways. I am proud to call myself a member of the community and a benefactor of the excellent education the district has to offer, and I am so excited for what the future of Smithville School District holds.

Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089520901176

Susan Whitacre

Susan Whitacre did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Patrick Nichols

Patrick Nichols did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

West Platte R-II

You can vote for three candidates for a three-year term.

Benjamin Franklin Doran

Benjamin Franklin Doran did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Shane E. Bartee

Shane E. Bartee did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Boyd Collins Hiatt

Boyd Collins Hiatt did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

Kyle Haas

Kyle Haas did not complete The Star’s candidate survey.

This story was originally published March 22, 2023 at 6:00 AM.