Meet candidates vying for seats on North Kansas City Schools Board of Education
Three candidates vie for seats on the North Kansas City Schools Board of Education
The race to join the North Kansas City Schools Board of Education includes two incumbents and one candidate who is encouraging voters to cast their votes in favor of the two current board members.
The three candidates vying for an opportunity to oversee the school district will be on the ballot April 7. The polls are open from 6 a.m to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters can find out more information about how to vote and see what else will be on their ballots by visiting the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.
Laura Wagner
Incumbent? Yes
Campaign Website: https://wagnerfornkcschools.com/
Laura Wagner, a public engagement and communications manager for engineering firm HNTB, has served on the North Kansas City Schools Board for the past three years and is running for reelection. She has also served on the North Kansas City School District Education Foundation Board and the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, according to her campaign website. Wagner has worked as a marketing and communications professional in Kansas City for over 25 years. She and her husband, Scott, live in the Northland and have two boys who both attended school in the district.
If reelected, Wagner said she hopes to continue focusing on student success, maintaining strong district leadership and supporting educators. Her top priorities include refining the Pathways program to ensure students can access electives, like orchestra, and providing additional support to educators, specifically special education teachers.
Jason Russell
Incumbent? No
Campaign website: N/A
While Jason Russell’s name will remain on the ballot, he released a statement in March encouraging voters to vote for the two incumbents, Karee Gleason-Miller and Laura Wagner.
“When I filed to run, I did so because I care deeply about our schools, our students and the future of our district,” he said. “However, as the race developed and it became clear that the only candidates would be myself and the two current board members, I made the decision that the right thing to do is to support their continued service.”
Karee Gleason-Miller
Incumbent? Yes
Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/KareeGleason/
Karee Gleason-Miller currently serves as the vice president of the North Kansas City Schools Board and has been a member of the board since 2020. Outside of the district, she works as a legal operations specialist at C2FO, a Kansas City-based financial technology platform. As a school board member, Gleason-Miller said she has played a key role in developing the district’s five-year strategic plan and long-term facilities plan, including the $175 million bond issue passed last year.
If reelected to a third term, Gleason-Miller said she would focus on prioritizing AI-integrated learning in an effort to ensure students are prepared for a future where artificial intelligence is more prevalent. Additionally, she hopes to create a “foundation of wellness” throughout the district so every student, teacher and staff member feels supported emotionally and academically. She also plans to prioritize career and technical education.
