Your guide to voting on the Blue Springs school board in April
Blue Springs residents will vote for their next school board representatives during the Tuesday, April 7 election.
Three of the five candidates on the ballot will be selected to the Blue Springs Board of Education. The Blue Springs R-IV School District enrolls nearly 15,000 students across its elementary, middle and high schools located in Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Lee’s Summit and Independence.
Current board members Kay Coen and Jeff Siems, who is also the school board vice president, are not running for re-election. Rebeca Swank, who is a former school board president, is the lone incumbent running for the school board.
She’ll be vying to keep her spot on the board, as candidates Allison Johnston, Joseph Frego, Ken Horrell and Joseph Donohue are also competing for the school board’s three open spots, each coming with a three-year term.
Here’s a look at who’s on the ballot for the Blue Springs Board of Education.
Rebeca Swank
Incumbent: Yes
Political bio: Swank was voted to replace Bobby Hawk as Blue Springs School Board president in 2024 after allegations of Hawk grooming young children when he was a pastor with EPIC Church KC were revealed. She’s still on the board and helped create the current strategic plan for the school district.
Other information voters should know: Swank was endorsed by the Blue Springs NEA, the district’s teachers union and the local chapter of the Missouri National Education Association.
She’s the chairman of the Blue Springs Chamber Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing educational and financial support associated with the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce. She’s also the chief development officer with Job One KC, an organization providing employment opportunities and community services for individuals with disabilities.
Allison Johnston
Incumbent: No
Political bio: She has served on the Blue Springs Pop Warner board, advocating for Blue Springs kids, supporting families, and working collaboratively to make decisions in the best interest of the community’s youth. She is running because she believes students deserve rigorous learning, strong social-emotional support, and a school system built on trust, transparency, and community partnership.
Other information voters should know: She attended Blue Springs School District from 3rd grade through high school graduation. Her kids also attend the school district. She works at Oracle in program management, where she’s been for the last 10 years. Johnston was endorsed by Salt and Light of Jackson County, an action group and information center that promotes “good government according to conservative, moral values defined by Biblical principles,” according to its Facebook page.
She was also endorsed by the Blue Springs NEA, the district’s teachers union and the local chapter of the Missouri National Education Association
Joseph Frego
Incumbent: No
Political bio: Frego has a bachelor’s degree in finance and an MBA. His professional experience includes seven years in the military and 11 years working in manufacturing. He’s currently employed by Honeywell FM&T, the manager and operator of the Kansas City National Security Campus for the National Nuclear Security Administration.
Other information voters should know: His four kids all attend the Blue Springs School District.
Frego was endorsed by Salt and Light of Jackson County, an action group and information center that promotes “good government according to conservative, moral values defined by Biblical principles,” according to its Facebook page.
Ken Horrell
Incumbent: No
Campaign website: https://www.ken4schools.com
Political bio: He has served as a merit badge counselor, summer camp commissioner, roundtable commissioner, and district commissioner for the Blue Elk District within Blue Springs. His vision for Blue Springs schools is to ensure every student learns in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment and is prepared for success to the best of their ability
Other information voters should know: Horrell was endorsed by the Blue Springs NEA, the district’s teachers union and the local chapter of the Missouri National Education Association. His wife spent 10 years as a paraprofessional at Liggett Trail Early Childhood Center, supporting children with developmental disabilities.
Joseph Donohue
Incumbent: No
Political bio: He works at Honeywell and is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis.
Other information voters should know: Donohue was endorsed by Salt and Light of Jackson County, an action group and information center that promotes “good government according to conservative, moral values defined by Biblical principles,” according to its Facebook page.
This story was originally published March 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
