2023 Wichita voter guide: Candidates in primary for Wichita school board at-large seat
Five candidates are vying to replace Sheril Logan as the only at-large member of the Wichita school board.
Wichita board of education positions are unpaid. School board responsibilities include hiring and evaluating the superintendent, adopting policies for the district and overseeing USD 259’s roughly $1 billion budget.
All voters in Wichita Public Schools boundaries will have a chance to weigh in on Logan’s successor.
We asked the candidates to answer several questions about issues. Here is what they said. The responses are largely as the candidates sent them in. Some responses have been lightly edited to fix typos.
Note: School elections are nonpartisan, meaning party affiliations do not show up on the ballot. State and local party committees often choose sides in city elections with regard to funding and other forms of support.
Find our voter guide to Wichita mayoral candidates here.
Find our voter guide to Wichita City Council District 4 candidates here.
Jacob Bakk
Age: 69
Position: Retired
Past: Aircraft Pilot & Mechanic, President of “The Associated Landlords of Kansas” (T.A.L.K.)
Education: Attended WSU and Friends’ University, where I was awarded certificates in supervision, Leadership, Quality Assurance and Teamwork. I also got my Masters’ in Business and B.S. in Human Resources and Psychology.
Party: Republican
Phone:
Email: Jackbakk2022@gmail.com
Website:
What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?
The most pressing issue is lack of qualified and certified teachers! Over 60 positions need to be filled, lack of Special Ed teachers and tutors is having a direct correlation to a decrease in student proficiency scores! Our teachers have an awesome responsibility and I believe are under appreciated! It is good to tell teachers how much we appreciate them, but better to show them through a monetary pay raise! Cutting costs and petitioning our Governor and State Senator to increase funding for our children!
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
Promoting more transparency between our parents and the school board. Listening to our parents and their concerns. Not looking upon them as terrorists but as concerned parents wanting to be involved in their childs’ education, as I am.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
I am the most qualified candidate, as I am sure the other candidates believe they are! The family is ordained by God and is such an instrumental part of our children being able to “Dream” of becoming anything they set their minds on becoming! It is our job as parents, meaning both mother and father through our example to “Believe” that all things are possible! Guiding them and helping them along the way, even when they mess up, through unconditional Love to “Achieve” even what they never dreamed possible!
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
Dealing with disruptive students needs to be dealt with immediately. Correction must be swift and just, whether that requires the teacher sending child to the principals office, or calling the parents to come and pick up their child. Allowing a child to disrupt the whole class can not be tolerated! We as parents need to take a more active role in the development of our children of the future! We should not consider our schools as “babysitters”! Our children’s safety starts at home! I believe unruly kids should face the consequences of their actions!
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
Increase teacher pay! We have a shortage of qualified and certified teachers. More pay would reduce teachers wanting to retire and retain the experience, resulting in increased student performance and graduation rates. More pay would encourage a larger percentage of high achieving college students to major in education!! This would result in the likelihood of hiring teachers who earned top scores on their educator certification exam and wanting to come back to Wichita to teach!
Harlan Bascombe
No photo provided
Age: 67
Position: Retired
Past: Code Enforcement Official, Police Department Union Steward
Education: BA public administration
Party:
Phone: 316-524-5199
Email: bascombe4usd259@gmail.com
Website: N/A
What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?
Students need to develop skills to obtain academic proficiency. First, students need to focus on the basics: reading, writing and math. Without proficiency in these basic subjects, students cannot succeed in other subjects. Additionally: sciences, history, civics and technology are the skills that today’s students also need to master. It is vital that students be given opportunities to obtain proficiency in these subjects. The school board needs to develop policies and programs to accomplish academic proficiency.
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
Parental support is essential for the success of the student. It vital to develop strategies to involve parents in their children’s education. Communication is key to involving parents in their children’s education. An important communication method is to have parents “opt in” when children are participating in surveys, activities, and lessons of a sensitive nature, this option ensures proper parental notification.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
I retired from the City of Wichita two years ago after almost 37 years of service to this community. I still have the desire to continue to serve the citizens of my community. I have the education and experience to be on the school board . During my tenure with the City of Wichita I developed the skill set to work with constituents and to cultivate innovative solutions to problems.
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
We need to listen, listen and listen. We need to listen to teachers and staff to learn what types of behaviors are disrupting classroom. Being on the front lines of the classrooms teacher may have thoughts and ideas on how to best to handle classroom disruptions. Students need to be heard to discover what may be causing their disruptive behavior and how to best resolve these issues. And we need to listen to parents to learn what other variables may be affecting their children’s behaviors.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
According to the National Education Association approximately 50% of new teachers will leave the profession within their first five years of teaching. To combat this trend, teachers need the opportunity to cultivate collaboration with other teachers, to be empowered to succeed, to have adequate support and to have improved working conditions. These are proven strategies to assist with the recruitment and retention of teachers.
Jesse Borosky
Age: 31
Position: No elected positions. Currently a clinical-community psychology PhD student at WSU
Past: I’ve worked as a mental health professional in school settings, a mobile therapist in community settings, and a mental health technician in inpatient settings.
Education: Highest received is an MA in Psychology, currently entering my fourth year of WSU’s clinical-community psychology PhD program.
Party: Green Party
Phone: 785-640-8519
Email: boroskyforboardofeducation@gmail.com
Website: www.boroskyforboardofeducation.com/
What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?
It is difficult to narrow down the concerns as the most important. If we look at the current strategic plan of USD 259, however, I would say the goal that needs the most work is goal 4, “Schools trusted as safe places.” Due to increased violent behaviors, students and staff do not feel safe in school. To manage this, I believe we need to expand mental health services, as negative behaviors are inherently tied to mental health difficulties. Also, reducing the student:staff ratio is necessary.
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
I am an adamant proponent of workers’ rights. I believe it is necessary to work consistently with United Teachers of Wichita and SEIU to ascertain that the needs of our faculty and staff are met. I believe teachers have been under attack, especially when they attempt to discuss topics related to race, gender, etc. However, we should not censor our teachers; instead we should encourage and incentivize critical thinking and open conversations about power structures in our institutions.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
I have a long history of working with parents, children, and teens, and I have a deep understanding of how youth behave, learn, and socialize. I am well aware of the research and empirical backing behind various curricula and programs that can help our students succeed. I am also aware of how factors such as race, gender, language, income, etc. impact learning. My vision is for students and families to acknowledge the diversity of our district and work together as a community to solve problems.
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
We currently use an outdated and racially biased model of managing behavior, based on arbitrarily punishing students with detention, suspension, and expulsions. This causes students to fall behind, resulting in poverty as an adult. Instead, we should engage in restorative practices to manage conflicts. We should also aim to prevent negative behaviors by providing mental health resources and positively reinforcing prosocial behaviors. These methods are backed by psychological research.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
The Board should aim to hire diverse faculty who are willing to have difficulty conversations with students. Doing so will help benefit our diverse students. In order to retain teachers, we must ascertain their needs are met. Providing more teachers with para support can greatly reduce burnout. Also, meeting faculty and their unions where they are during contract negotiations is essential. Evidence demonstrates that workers stay when they believe they are supported by the organization.
Brent Davis
Davis has not yet responded to The Eagle’s voter guide questionnaire.
Melody McCray-Miller
Age: 66
Position: Currently, Business Owner and Adjunct Lecturer, Wichita State University.
Past: Former Sedgwick County Commissioner, former USD 259 High School and Middle School Teacher,
former State Legislator.
Education: B.A. Psychology, University of Houston, Teacher Education Program, Wichita State University
Party: Democrat
Phone: 316-734-1876
Email: melodymiller56@gmail.com
Website: Melody4USD259.com
What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?
1.) Teacher moral. 2.) Challenging classroom and building student behaviors. 3.) The district will lose COVID funding at the end of 2024. Collectively these issues are creating an environment that is challenging for many teachers, building administrators, students and their families. Making it difficult to thrive at their highest and most successful level. I will advocate for teachers, namely, their rights in the classroom and valued compensation. Parent engagement is also important to student success. I will work to create an environment that makes academic expectations and disciplinary actions transparent, consistent, and equitable from building to building across the district.
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
Effective mental health programs are important. The district offers several programs that are designed to support students’ mental and emotional health. An example is the Kansas Opportunity Support Program, a joint initiative between USD 259 and the Kansas Department of Education and COMCARE Sedgwick County. This program is designed to assist students that are struggling with mental health, behavioral and emotional concerns. However, there are issues with capacity, which is, the number of students that can access and utilize the services offered, which has created a waiting list. Some students and families need these mental health services sooner than later.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
As a proud Southeast High graduate, former USD 259 teacher, and former elected leader, I am deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and teachers in our district. My experiences have shaped my understanding of education and allowed me to comprehend the unique challenges faced by both students and teachers. My vision is to create a leading school district in Kansas, where board-level accountability ensures consistent standards across all schools, and an action plan that improves student and teacher achievement, behavior, and building performance.
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
By actively listening to the concerns of students, parents, teachers, and staff throughout the district, I believe we will find and put into action real solutions that will help create a work environment that values those that teach and the students there to learn. I will advocate for policies and effective training that we know work, to effectively address and diffuse the disruptive behaviors while addressing the school-to-prison pipeline. I will work to create an environment that makes academic expectations and disciplinary actions transparent, consistent, and equitable from building to building across the district.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
WPS is on the right track, however there are some additional tactics and strategies needed. Most of our students are students of color, predominately Hispanic and Black, and these same students qualify for free and reduced lunches demonstrating some economic needs. I will advocate for our district to become laser focused and recruit more teachers who reflect our students, recruit more experienced teachers and lastly, consider growing the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, making it accessible to more than the current Para-Educator. Each of these recommendations when employed have been shown to improve retention as well as students’ academic and disciplinary behavior.
