Here's who's running for the four seats up for grabs on the Topeka Board of Education

The four incumbents up for re-election to the Topeka Board of Education are each in fact running, but only two face competition.

In District 1 Position 4, incumbent Lalo Muñoz is facing a challenge by Lana Kombacher and Jacqueline Bosch.

For the member-at-large seat, incumbent Richard Bonebrake runs against Antoine "AC" Collins and John R. Williams.

District 2 Position 5 and District 3 Position 6 incumbents Sue Bolley and Melanie Stuart-Campbell are running unopposed.

Advance voting by mail begins Wednesday. In-person advance voting starts Monday, Oct. 23 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Shawnee County Elections Office.

Polls open 7 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, and close 7 p.m. Mail ballots must be received at election office or polling places by 7 p.m.

Responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity.

Introduce yourself and any relevant qualifications that would inform you as a potential member of the school board.

Antoine B. Collins: Hi, my name is Antoine Collins. I like to go by "AC." I decided to run because I believe I can an asset to the forward progress of today's students. I believe in diversity, education, and inclusion. We must move forward for our kids' sake.

Melanie Stuart-Campbell: I'm from Topeka and have been an educator for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles. I've taught all ages ranging from preschool to adults, in Kansas, New York, Ecuador, and the Republic of Congo.I currently teach Spanish at an educational service center and also serve as an instructional specialist and advocate for the Kansas Migrant Education Program. In these current and past educational roles, I've developed a strong understanding of the public school system — both its successes and challenges. I am proudly serving year four of my first term on the Topeka Board of Education and also currently serve on the policy, Sheldon Head Start, and the Dual Language committees for our school district. My husband is a middle school teacher and our two children attend Topeka High School.I am a passionate advocate for public education — especially how it can best prepare our most marginalized students for post secondary success. I have published five children's books and speak three languages proficiently.

Lana Kombacher: I am a retired women's health nurse practitioner working part time as registered nurse. I went to school in Topeka USD 501, as did three of my children. I also now have grandchildren in the district. I want to assure that they and all of our kids have the best education without added agendas.

Rich Bonebrake: As a member of many state and local boards, I've gained experience working with others to improve the community especially in the areas of health care and youth experiences in Topeka. These activities include Kansas Foundation for Medical Care, a peer review committee for Kansas hospitals and physicians,; an original founder of Health Access, which covers health care for non-insured individuals and children for over 20 years and continue to serve on their board; Shawnee County Medical Society president; Stormont Vail Medical Staff President; Stormont Vail Hospital Board; little league baseball coach; and proud father of four successful Topeka USD 501 graduates.

I graduated from Manhattan High School and from Kansas State University, attended Justus Liebig University in Germany for one year, received my MD from Northwestern University, Chicago, and completed a four-year residency at the Mayo Clinic.

Education and my Kansas community have long been an important part of my life.

John R. Williams: I've been an active member of this community since May 1979 and hold a bachelor's in architecture from Kansas State University. After a fulfilling 28-year career as an architectural project designer with the state of Kansas, I retired in July 2010. My strong ties to Topeka Public Schools include my wife and three of our adult children who are all graduates. Currently, my granddaughter Khamille is a fourth grader at Williams Magnet Elementary. I previously served on the school board from 2013 to 2022, where I held roles as vice president and president. Since retirement, I've worked as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional and have been a SPED paraprofessional at Pathways Learning Center (a PRTF) since 2013. I'm also involved in several boards of community organizations such as the Topeka Rescue Mission, Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka, and Living the Dream, Inc. I serve as youth pastor of The New Beginning Baptist Church and volunteer, mentor and tutor in Topeka Public Schools.

Lalo Muñoz: I am a father of three children enrolled in the Topeka Public Schools system as well as a proud graduate. I've dedicated my time and efforts as a volunteer within our schools for the past 10 years. My years of active service in our schools serve as a strong foundation to leverage on our school board.

In 2019, I was elected to the Topeka Board of Education, where I tirelessly strive each day to better serve the needs of our students, teachers and staff. I have worked diligently serving on the finance, equity and policy committees, broadening my knowledge of and guiding our district forward. In 2022, I was elected president of the school board, further amplifying my commitment to our educational community.

My career spans two decades in the nonprofit sector, where I've consistently worked to support the most vulnerable individuals in our community. In addition to my career, I have always felt called to volunteer my time with many endeavors including helping to establish Washburn Tech East, serving on the Chairs Council for the Greater Topeka Partnership, and joining the Brown vs. Board 70th Anniversary Coalition.

Sue Bolley: My name is Sue Bolley. I am a lifelong Kansan. I attended Topeka Public Schools off and on in my school career. When I graduated from college, I was employed by Topeka Public Schools for 22 years as a teacher, district coach and a building coach helping to guide teachers. I received my master’s degree in building leadership before I retired. I have been on the Topeka Public Schools board for four years as a member, a vice president and now as the current president.

What motivated you to run for school board, and what difference do you think you could uniquely make?

Collins: Honestly, this is my first time ever into politics. But having someone I love in the USD 501 system, got an inside look into their school system. I talked to teachers and they have reasonable demands not being met. I should help them.

Stuart-Campbell: I was motivated to run for school board because I felt my advocacy and voice could make a significant difference for our students. Because I speak Spanish, I am able to listen to the suggestions of our Spanish-speaking community. I also want to do my part to advance the continued improvement of our award- winning Dual Language program, where native English and native Spanish speaking students learn in both languages starting in preschool and graduate as bilingual and biliterate world citizens.

Kombacher: I was motivated after the COVID fiasco and our kids being forced to mask and not interact. Our schools were closed early on. Our kids were often at home with no help on their studies, as parents had to work.I feel the parents haven't been allowed to engage fully with what is being taught to our kids.They should get full transparency from our educators and school board.

Bonebrake: We used to be first in the world in student proficiency in math, science and language. That is no longer the case, and we need to come up with better ways to ensure student success. Our students are our most important natural resource and they deserve the best education in the world to be able to deal with an ever changing world. If we have a successful education system, it will attract outside businesses to our community and will provide local high paying employment opportunities for our students and community. Families will choose to move and stay in a community that has great schools.

Williams: My motivation to run for the school board comes from encouragement within the Topeka Public Schools community. I bring extensive leadership experience at the local, regional and national levels. During my previous terms, I served as the western region director of the National Council of Black School Board Members and on the executive steering committee of the National Federation of Urban and Suburban School Districts. I'm committed to the servant-leadership model and will prioritize our students' academic pursuits while fulfilling my responsibilities to the school board, superintendent, community and, most importantly, our students and staff.

Muñoz: As a parent with three children in the district, I believe that the most effective advocates are parents themselves who can speak firsthand to student needs and parent concerns. Having grown up in east Topeka, I am passionate about helping all students be successful, especially our most vulnerable. Our community’s future prosperity is interconnected with solving this great challenge.

As a bilingual board member, I would bring a unique and invaluable asset to Topeka Public Schools. Bilingual members can facilitate communication with diverse communities, fostering inclusivity and understanding. These contributions enhance the board's effectiveness in creating a more equitable and accessible education system, ultimately benefiting students and the district at large.

As someone from a diverse background, the inclusion of diverse board members significantly enhances the effectiveness of an education board. Diverse perspectives, stemming from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, foster innovation, enrich decision-making processes, and better represent the diverse student population. These differences lead to more well-rounded, equitable and inclusive policies and initiatives. Ultimately, the value of diversity within an education board lies in its capacity to drive positive change, promote fairness and create an environment that mirrors the broader community it serves.

Bolley: When I was working for Topeka Public Schools, I would attend our board meetings and think that most those members really didn’t totally understand what happens in the business of education. I could tell they didn’t really understand learning in the same way as the educators. I thought I might be able to bring that insight to board decisions in a more powerful way. I think I have been able to do that. I do like to be an advocate for education at the state level. I attend Kansas Legislature committee hearings often to hear what the views of our representatives are about public education. I listen and then I know I must have a strong voice for public education. I believe public education is the foundation of a democratic and free country. I think I must raise my voice for our students and for our educators. Our teachers are our heroes, and they need to have voices lifted for them.

What is one way schools in your district are exceling, and what steps would you take to further those efforts?

Collins: Topeka USD 501 is taking students who would've been pushed aside and they're given a fair chance to excel no matter their background. That's excellent, and we need to push even further in that direction. We must invest in the changing demographic to ensure America's greatness. No exceptions.

Stuart-Campbell: I think our schools are excelling at providing language support services, with nearly all of our campuses offering English Learner (EL) instruction to students learning English as a second language. Our Newcomer Program at Jardine Middle School provides specialized instruction for students new to the USA from various countries, such as Ukraine, Nicaragua, and Honduras. We can improve these important services by finding ways to recruit and retain the essential talents of our bilingual educators.

Kombacher: We have some very good teachers that really care about the kids. Improving how we work with them, and not pushing agendas on them that they do not support, will improve retention

Bonebrake: USD 501 has implemented many programs and plans which were beneficial to teachers and students. Students are able to select more options to extend their learning. Summer school options have been extended and expanded and remote learning has been used when schools were forced to shut down. Teacher pay in the district has improved every year and is the highest in the county, comparing favorably with other large districts. Post-graduate programs for teachers have expanded, enabling our professionals to extend and expand their learning (as well as their pay) without paying tuition. I would like to see teacher pay and scholarship opportunities expanded further.

Williams: I'm pleased with how the District has addressed the mental health crisis, especially among students aged 12 to 18, particularly post-COVID. The hiring of mental health liaisons has been a positive step. As a member of the board, I will ensure that we maintain vigilance and allocate the necessary resources to continue addressing this critical issue.

Muñoz: One way our schools are exceling is the rise of our graduation rates. Over the last 12 years, our high school graduation rates have consistently improved, rising by 17% between 2010 to 2022. Topeka High and Topeka West have each reached rates of 94.4% and 95.9%, respectively. This progress is something to celebrate while acknowledging disparities that impact our diverse students. As a board member, I would highlight and celebrate this progress, acknowledge the work of teachers and staff, request regular progress updates and advocate that any disparities be included in our strategic plan as an additional measure of progress.

Bolley: Topeka Public Schools is an inner-city school system, and we have a high level of poverty and all the concerns that come with this cycle. Our district staff does a remarkable job of filling the needs of our students. The school staff are there every day to help support our students to help them find ways to excel in their lives. I see those success stories every day as I visit schools and attend school activates. Some of those successes could be for a student in trauma to be able to stay in a classroom all day for instruction. That is a huge success for a few students. Others successes are doing a pathway of learning that is preparing them for their futures. Our district has several alternative schools just to be there to help all students find success. That is what we strive for in our district. I will always support this as a board member — whatever it takes for our students to succeed.

Where are schools in your district falling short, and what solutions would you bring to the table?

Collins: Inclusion, personally speaking. I attended a Democratic meeting. Over 90% of the attendees were older than me. But I saw why. No signs, no flags — nothing that said to young minds, "Welcome." We must be the example of acceptance for all, not just the knee-jerk social media impulses.

Stuart-Campbell: I would like for more people in the community to know that the Spanish/English Dual Language program is for native English-speaking students too, so I will continue to advocate that we improve our efforts to promote the program to our English-speaking families.I also would like to see World Languages offered in middle school, especially Mandarin Chinese. To remain competitive in the global marketplace, the United States is falling short in producing citizens bilingual in English and Mandarin. We currently offer no Mandarin instruction. As a board member, I can emphasize the importance of this issue and suggest the school district seek ways to not only find qualified teachers, but also promote the importance of the language so students and their parents will want to enroll in Chinese classes.

Kombacher: We need to see where the money is going that was given to the school system for our kids. Highest amount spent on kids, and lowest test scores? Things are not working. We need to focus more on what our kids need, not on the agenda that is given to the school.

Bonebrake: We are still losing too many teachers and administrators. USD 501 is conducting an independently administered employee satisfaction survey. The board and administration are committed to improving the workplace environment and following through with addressing any recommendations revealed in this survey.

Williams: I believe our schools are doing well considering the limited resources available. To enhance our student's education especially those with exceptionalities, I will work closely with fellow Board members and the District leadership to identify potential grants and implement sound fiscal policies, ensuring they are prepared for life challenges upon graduation.

Muñoz: One way our schools are falling short is the challenge of reducing chronic student absenteeism. Before COVID, our absenteeism rate was 11%. Post-COVID, that rate has doubled. Students can’t learn if they aren’t in school. As a board member, I would work to identify additional resources to help students catch up on schoolwork. I would ask the district to identify creative strategies to reduce tardiness in an effort to address chronic absences before it starts. I would use data to identify at-risk students and address underlying issues causing absenteeism. I would work alongside parents to positively reinforce behavior changes.

Bolley: One way our district is trying to improve is to move more of our students from level 1 in state assessments up the continuum. This is one focus I have asked of our superintendent, Dr. Tiffany Anderson, and she has taken on that challenge wholeheartedly. It is a challenge. When we have students dealing with trauma and coming to us to learn, we must tailor our instruction to find educational success for them. We must build in many opportunities for our students, like before and after school programs, tutoring, clothing, and sending food home to help with family hunger. Our social workers and counselors do a wonderful job finding resources to help our students be more ready to learn. I support these efforts as a board member, and I believe these efforts will help our students be more successful as learners.

What is the biggest issue facing the school district?

Collins: Honestly? Adults and social media and the maddening anti-COVID pressure they put on children to appease their own social clique. Kids should not be facing death or life changing health issues for some parent's social media likes.

Stuart-Campbell: We, as a country, are witnessing a crisis in education due to the shortage of professional educators and the proverbial pipeline of future educators drying up. The reasons for this are many and are beyond any one person's control. As a board member, I will continue to support higher salaries and hourly rates. I will also continue to encourage our district to find innovative means to attract more educators to this noble profession.

Kombacher: The biggest issue is getting and retaining competent teachers without forcing on them a certain way of teaching. We must never allow our kids to be force masked and vaccinated without parental permission. We must keep the family unit intact and support parents.

Bonebrake: We do not have enough money to fully fund education and especially special education. Most educational funding comes from the state and the legislature has consistently failed to adequately fund education. This is especially true with special education which, although it is federally mandated, Kansas has chosen to only fund it an average of 70% for the last decade. In order to make up the difference, USD 501 has to make up the shortfall out of its general budget. This amounts to over $4 million a year and takes away from all other programs for children. The Kansas Legislature has to be convinced to fully fund special education and contribute more to education funding generally.

Williams: Post-COVID, schools in our district will face challenges related to mental health, food insecurity and school safety and security. Collaborating with community stakeholders will be essential to addressing these issues effectively.

Muñoz: One of the biggest issues facing schools in USD 501 is the lack of a fully funded special education program. The decision by the Kansas Legislature to not fully fund special education forces local school districts to take funds meant for all students to address this short fall. Those funds could be used to reduce absenteeism, enhance reading and math levels of elementary students, support social and emotional needs of students and more. I would engage board members, parents, staff and community members to share the impact of underfunding special education and the opportunities possible when this is addressed.

Bolley: Post-COVID has been an issue for our district, as well as all districts across the nation. One area that our district recognized as a concern was in the area of mental health and as a board member, I have continued to support extra mental health support in our schools. It goes right back to statements above. We must help our students to be in the right place to be able to learn at their full capacity. That is what Topeka Public Schools try to do every day. I am proud to have been a part of that the last four years, and I will continue to find ways for our students to excel while supporting our employees with what they need to do that for our community.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka Public Schools Board of Education races include four incumbents