New Topeka-area school board members says they'll listen to the community when making decisions
Topekan and incoming USD 501 board member Lisa Schmitt is feeling humble after she unseated incumbent John Williams in Tuesday's general elections.
Schmitt received 4,994 votes while Williams received 3,716 votes.
"Rev. Williams has served in the position for two terms and is obviously passionate about Topeka schools and all that it embodies," Schmitt said Wednesday. "That being said, the results show me that our constituents desired a change, and I hope to be the positive change they want."
Schmitt said she looks forward to being a board member who supports students and their families, teachers and staff.
"I want to be a positive, collaborative addition to the school board," Schmitt said. " I consider myself an optimist and believe that there is no problem that cannot be solved if we are working together to do what is right."
Schmitt was one of three school board candidates who won against incumbent board members.
Seaman school district board members Cherie Sage and Keith Griffin lost their seats to Donna McGinty and Chris Travis.
Sage has held the District 4A seat since 2016 and Griffin has held the District 5B position since 2018.
McGinty received 2,151 votes to Sage's 1,024. Griffin received 1,297 while Travis came out on top with 1,786 votes.
Seaman's final seat up for election will remain with Kyle McNorton who had no opponent.
McGinty told the Capital-Journal she is honored to be elected to USD 345's school board and understand the responsibility that comes with the title.
"The constituents in the district have entrusted me with part of that responsibility," McGinty said. "As a member of the school board, I will always seek to represent the constituents who elected me to the office."
Chris Travis says he will listen to community
Travis said the opportunity to sit on Seaman's school board isn't about him, it's about the students, district and community.
"I am extremely grateful for everyone's efforts over these last several months," Travis said. "It has shown me that there is hope and a brighter future for this community."
Travis said he hopes to be an approachable and open-minded board member who will listen to the community's thoughts and concerns.
"I am looking forward to bringing the focus back to education and preparing the kids for the next phase of their lives," Travis said. "I am excited to see this district continue to improve. I look forward to working with the faculty and students, gathering their thoughts, concerns and ideas to promote a better learning environment."
All school board candidates are sure to face various issues once they begin their term including challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
More: Critical race theory, COVID-19 policies, funding will challenge Topeka-area school board winners
McGinty, Travis and Schmitt all told the Capital-Journal in a Q&A they don't support mandatory vaccinations and masking.
Lisa Schmitt beats John Williams on USD 501 school board
USD 501 also gained two additional new board members.
Randall Schumacher will take over the District 2, Position 2 seat which is being vacated by Michael Morrison. He won the race with 4,417 votes.
The District 3, Position 3 seat now belongs to Keith Tatum who ran unopposed. Scott Mickelson will vacate the seat when his term expires in 2022.
All three USD 437 seats up for election will be retained by incumbents Jacqueline Whitney Lightcap, Michael White and Bryan Smith.
USD 450 board members Rosa Cavazos and Erica Price held onto their respective seats.
Christina Flaming won the District 6C seat with 1,360 votes. The position was previously held by Renae Hansen who has chosen to vacate the seat when her term expires.
Flaming's opponent Kristy Van Metre received 1,007 votes.
Here are all of the unofficial, final results for each Shawnee County school district as reported by the Shawnee County election office:
USD 501
District 1, Position 1
Lisa Schmitt: 4,994
John Williams: 3,716
District 2, Position 2
Andrew Foreman: 2,146
Randall Schumacher: 4,417
Alan Smith: 2,003
District 3, Position 3
Keith Tatum: 7,384
USD 345
District A, Position 4
Donna McGinty: 2,151
Cherie Sage: 1,024
District B, Position 5
Keith Griffin: 1,297
Chris Travis: 1,786
District C, Position 6
Kyle McNorton: 2,670
USD 372
Michael Christopher:269
Kimberly Colcher: 223
Trent Hanni: 153
Brady Hoffman: 179
Shannon Taylor-Weber: 387
Josh Whitehead: 272
USD 437
District A, Position 4
Jacqueline Whitney Lightcap: 2,571
Shanna Simpson: 2,259
District B, Position 5
Bryan Smith: 3,870
District C, Position 6
Michael White: 3,911
USD 450
District A, Positon 4
Rosa Cavazos: 2,265
Jill Koch: 1,317
District B, Position 5
Erica Price: 2,317
Tim Watts: 1,369
District C, Positon 6
Christina Flaming:1,360
Kristy Van Metre: 1,007
Brianna Childers is the food and fun reporter for the Capital-Journal. Reach her at bchilders@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @brichilders3.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: USD 345 incumbents lose seats in Topeka-area school board race
