Voter guide: Who’s running for Wichita school board & their views on teachers, tests, safety
All voters in the Wichita school district will be able to cast ballots in an at-large school board race featuring two candidates: Brent Davis and Melody McCray-Miller.
Only voters who live in a specific district can vote in the other two races. To find out which school board district you live in, go to the Kansas secretary of state’s VoterView at myvoteinfo.voteks.org, put in your information and click on districts.
An ideological majority on the school board hangs in the balance in this election. Social conservatives picked up three of four board seats on the ballot in 2021, and the impending retirement of at-large representative Sheril Logan and District 3 representative Ernestine Krehbiel guarantees there will be at least two new faces on the seven-person 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.
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 mayoral candidates here.
Wichita school board, at-large
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?
The district will not receive additional Federal Relief funds tied to COVID, and the funds received must be spent by the end of 2024. I would like to see a cost/benefit analysis done on programs and projects funded by federal dollars. This performance and cost analysis will help with deciding which programs to keep and those that we will consider no longer funding.
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
Effective mental health programs are important. The district offers several programs designed to support students’ mental and emotional health. For example, the Kansas Opportunity Support Program, a joint initiative between USD 259, the state and COMCARE Sedgwick County, assists students that are struggling with mental health, behavioral and emotional concerns. But there is a waiting list for services. 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?
My experiences as a former USD 259 Teacher 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?
Our district is doing its job to aggressively implement a comprehensive plan to keep students and staff safe in all buildings. The increase in disruptive behaviors being demonstrated, is unacceptable. Thankfully there have been no threats with weapons, or injuries during the fights. Parent and community engagement and involvement in our schools has been shown to help reduce these behaviors. As we continue to implement evidence based interventions and actions, this will help improve student behavior.
What steps should the district take to improve students’ math and reading skills/test scores?
The district has set realistic and aggressive goals to continue the improvement in students’ math and reading skills/test scores. A student’s ability to read at grade level by third grade is the single greatest predictor of future success. With Federal Relief Funds, USD 259 invested in the initiative, LETRS, Language for Teachers of Reading and Spelling program. Early assessments are confirming that this professional learning program, rooted in the science of reading, is improving third grade reading scores.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
Our district should become laser focused and recruit more teachers who reflect the diversity of our students. We must recruit more experienced teachers and, 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.
Are there any types of books students should not have access to in school libraries or classrooms? Please explain.
Currently, parents as well as other members of our community, acting as members of the committee to initially review textbooks, are closely involved in the selection of books that will be accessible and utilized in curriculum. USD 259 also has a process in place, where parents and other members of the community review any book(s) that come forward as a book being challenged, and after a thorough review, the committee decides to remove the book or allow it to remain in circulation.
What should the district’s approach be to handling emerging AI technologies?
The district’s approach to the emerging AI technologies should include a comprehensive discussion around the need for a policy. Even though artificial intelligence along with machine learning has been around for a while, ChatGPT accelerated the interest in generative AI. Students are already using it. Some of our most innovative teachers are incorporating AI into lesson plans. I believe it will be to the district’s benefit to gather appropriate stakeholders and have a real conversation about where and how we might create an AI Technology policy that meets the needs of our district.
How should the school board balance having the resources to fund schools with residents’ concerns about property taxes?
Currently, fifty-five percent of our funding comes from the State of Kansas. And thirty-three percent is comprised of federal revenues. This leaves twelve percent of our funding coming from local revenue, including local property taxes, investment income, local grants, and contributions. The district has an obligation to meet the pressing needs put forth in an intentional budget, while exercising fiscal restraint and responsibility.
How would you ensure transparency in school board and school district actions?
All School Board official business and any official actions taken by the Board should be conducted in a public space and thereby accessible to members of the public to attend via in person, via YouTube and via transcribed minutes.
Is there anything not currently taught in Wichita Public Schools that you think should be taught? Anything currently being taught that you think should not be taught?
I support looking at expanding Spanish Heritage Learner and Dual Language curricula across the district. I believe the Spanish Heritage Learner program will help students to gain knowledge in both languages. This program is specifically designed for students who have a familial, or community connection to Spanish and can benefit educational and civically!
Wichita school board, District 3
District 3 in south Wichita is generally bound by McLean Boulevard to the west and Rock Road to the east. See a map here.
Ken Carpenter
Age: 58
Position: Contractor Sales Coordinator
Past: Retail Store Manager
Education: BA from Kansas State University
Party: Republican
Phone: 316-244-8623
Email: ken.carpenter4schools@gmail.com
Website: carpenter4schools.com
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 concerning problem we face in our schools is bad student behavior. Many students come from broken homes where they don’t know how to show respect, be responsible, and be resourceful. When teachers are faced with this dilemma it can severely limit their ability to teach. This hinders their ability to keep the class under control and students test scores suffer. That is why it is so essential for us to give students and teachers the tools they need through policy development and budget appropriation.
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
We have a great school system not only for the students but also for all of the teachers and it’s about to get even better. We need to face the fact that society is deteriorating all across our country with diminishing moral values and standards which bleed into our schools. Families have been fractured due to failed relationships. No matter what’s happening in a student’s lives we want to do our level best to provide each and every one of them with academic excellence.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
I am the candidate who has worked for over 30 years in the Wichita area solving problems and providing excellence in customer service and satisfaction. I have had the experience of raising four wonderful children who are now successful, productive citizens. I envision myself being a voice for parents at school board meetings. I am an advocate for using programs that will more effectively reward noble behavior so as to minimize classroom disruption. This will allow students to better focus on academics.
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
For now, we need to make sure policies already in place are being adhered to by staff. Often times the problem isn’t the policy, it’s the implementation of those policies. That being said, when all sensible avenues including counseling have been exhausted and a student’s behavior remains unchanged, then transferring that student to a more restrictive school or remote learning may be the best alternative. Our end goal is to help them realize their true potential.
What steps should the district take to improve students’ math and reading skills/test scores?
In order to improve test scores, we need to improve attendance. We can do this by offering attractive rewards to students who achieve perfect attendance throughout the school year and offer second and third place prizes as well for those who only miss one or two classes. Being tardy or having an unexcused absence from class means a student wasn’t there to hear the lecture. Schools could ask parents and/or churches to donate gifts to be given to the deserving students before summer break.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
We need to ensure we offer teachers a competitive wage and compensation package. We also need to provide them with sufficient support staff and classroom supplies. All classroom equipment should be in good working order. Having these necessities in place will help with recruitment and retention efforts and it will encourage high school students to choose this career path. Substitute teachers could also be offered incentives to become accredited, full-time teachers.
Are there any types of books students should not have access to in school libraries or classrooms? Please explain.
I support age-appropriate material which aligns with our state standards.
What should the district’s approach be to handling emerging AI technologies?
Good or bad, AI technology is here to stay. Students need to learn about it, so we need to make it available.
How should the school board balance having the resources to fund schools with residents’ concerns about property taxes?
Be prepared to add or delete programs at the schools as necessary in order to meet the needs of students. If our economy goes into a recession, we should be prepared to be flexible with homeowners needs. If the economy is booming, look for ways to shore up maintenance and security on the buildings and add promising programs to give students more pathways to grow and add value to their resume so they can be ready to go right to work right out of high school if they wish.
How would you ensure transparency in school board and school district actions?
Since decisions made by the school board affect society at large to some extent we are required to have our meetings recorded and available for public view. We do under the “public comment” procedure allow all concerned citizens the opportunity speak during our board meetings with the understanding that they will remain cordial. If we find that we have made an error with any decision, we should publicly admit that an error was made and arrange to get it corrected.
Is there anything not currently taught in Wichita Public Schools that you think should be taught? Anything currently being taught that you think should not be taught?
I think Drivers Ed should be brought back into the schools. That’s a basic life necessity.
Ngoc Vuong
(English pronunciation: NOK VAWNG; Vietnamese pronunciation: NEE-YAWP VOONG)
Age: 23
Position: Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) at Wichita State University
Past: Former Project Manager at Safe Streets Wichita
Education: Honors Baccalaureate in Psychology and Public Health, Minor in Economics; Current Community Psychology PhD Student at Wichita State University
Party: Democrat
Phone: 316-516-3078
Email: votevuong@gmail.com
Website: votengocvuong.com
What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?
Our students’ lives do not exist in a vacuum. Schools are a reflection of our society. Our schools are expected to take on the world’s issues without adequate resources or pretend these issues do not exist at all. We set our students up for failure with both approaches. I will work with our community and other levels of government to more efficiently/effectively address broader issues that affect academic achievement (such as adverse childhood experiences) and educator/classified staff morale.
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
Most students experience sleep deprivation, affecting academic performance and promoting aggressive/risky behavior. How can USD 259 encourage good sleep hygiene? And should schools start later in the morning? We need to improve our students’ level of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviors. And we need to proactively address the foster care-to-prison/school-to-prison pipelines and the mental health, loneliness, and opioid epidemics. All of this requires family/community collaboration.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
As an educator, I teach general psychology. As a researcher, I study behavioral health, drug policy, and education reform. And as a proud product of USD 259, I’ve mentored dozens of students and regularly volunteered in our schools. As the District 3 candidate who reflects the values and lived experiences of our students, school employees, and families, I’m running to ensure student success and school discipline, improve family/community engagement, and strengthen/protect our public schools.
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
Problematic student behaviors will not be tolerated. I stand by our building administrators and school employees in enforcing school discipline, ensuring school safety, and promoting a positive school climate and culture. I also support improved access to school-based behavioral health services; districtwide implementation of evidence-based mental health promotion, substance use prevention, and violence prevention programs; and more high-quality alternative educational programs and settings.
What steps should the district take to improve students’ math and reading skills/test scores?
While we can teach to the test, what’s more meaningful/beneficial is promoting students’ critical thinking skills inside/outside the classroom. Rather than rote memorization and regurgitation of information, I want students to think for themselves, be curious, and driven to learn. As an educator, I encourage my students to teach others what they learn, to quiz themselves on what they’re supposed to know, and to think of creative ways they can remember information and apply that information.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
Living wages. More competitive pay/benefits that reward longevity. Paid family, medical, and bereavement leave. Sustainable, manageable workloads (smaller class sizes, adequate planning time, reduced take-home work). Eliminate red tape/bureaucracy that prevents teachers from fulfilling their main duties. Ensure the safety of schools and protect teachers’ mental health/well-being. Ensure professional development opportunities are relevant and meaningful. Enforce fair contract negotiations.
Are there any types of books students should not have access to in school libraries or classrooms? Please explain.
I agree our students should have developmentally- and age-appropriate materials that stimulate empathy and higher-order thinking. However, attempts to ban books are a major red flag. Censorship undermines diversity of thought, intellectual curiosity, and freedom of expression. Moreover, calls to ban certain books in USD 259 are often from people who have no connection to USD 259/Wichita at all and pertain to books that were not even in our classrooms nor libraries to begin with.
What should the district’s approach be to handling emerging AI technologies?
Our society has an unhealthy relationship with technology. Problem technology use (social media addiction, children’s online exposure to porn and violence, and plagiarism through AI) undermines students’ focus, well-being, and ability to think for themselves. As a realist (a blanket ban will be limited in effectiveness), we need clear guidelines on appropriate use of AI in education, enforce academic integrity, and help students understand how AI contributes to misinformation/disinformation.
How should the school board balance having the resources to fund schools with residents’ concerns about property taxes?
In general, we need to improve communication with all stakeholders, meaningfully involving them in the decisions we make. We need regular internal/external audits of our budget/finances to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. And we must ensure robust evaluations are being conducted of USD 259’s various programs, policies, and practices. Through it all, our school board and district leadership must uphold listening and learning from our students, school employees, families, and community members.
How would you ensure transparency in school board and school district actions?
The major pros of property taxes are that they’re stable/reliable. The major cons of property taxes are that they can lead to disparities in school funding and impose undue burden on low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. I support property tax relief, ensuring property tax transparency, and improving housing affordability. However, public education (including special education) must be fully funded. I oppose efforts by special interests to defund our public schools.
Is there anything not currently taught in Wichita Public Schools that you think should be taught? Anything currently being taught that you think should not be taught?
We need to have opportunities that no other private school nor surrounding school district has. And we need better alignment of our classes/curriculum with the needs of the 21st-century economy. I support our schools having more specialized programs (such as IT, health care, advanced manufacturing, and aviation/flight) that families could transfer their children to. And I support USD 259 adopting applied/active learning principles in all of our classes. Lastly, USD 259 needs driver’s ed again.
Wichita school board, District 4
District 4 in south Wichita is generally bound by Meridian Avenue to the west and Washington Avenue to the east, although boundaries extend slightly in both directions. See a map here.
Jason Carmichael
Age: 49
Position: Real Estate Owner/Invester/Manager
Past: US Army Aviator
Education: MBA - Wichita State University
Party: Republican
Phone: 316-768-1512
Email: Jason@JasonFor259.com
Website: JasonFor259.com
What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?
Fentanyl poisoning. ”Just say no”, isn’t working with everyone. My nearest high school had 77 police reports in the last year on illegal drugs. How many times has this illegal and deadly activity happened that has NOT been caught and reported to law enforcement? Tighten up and enhance security. Collaborate with Wichita Police and Sedgwick County to possibly have dedicated police to the district, maybe in way that Wichita State Police does.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
Get early education focused on reading. It’s a travesty that the state board of education reports for Wichita Public Schools that currently 82% of the student body are not effective at English Language Arts (ELA) or simply “reading”. This is a trend since 2015 that has not stopped getting worse.I want the focus on learning how to read in the first four years of school so reading is not the barrier to learning the next eight years.
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
Changing the cell phone policy to a unified district wide no use in the classroom policy I think is a good decision and just a start.Teachers have to have the backing of the administration knowing that when their class is being disrupted, action will be taken.
What steps should the district take to improve students’ math and reading skills/test scores?
Change the curriculum immediately to past proven methods of success.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
Getting qualified teachers is not the problem, keeping the good ones and rewarding them is the challenge I see. The district must focus on high expectations and competition. I know our future leaders are capable of great accomplishments, it is our responsibility to ensure they are encouraged to perform at the very best they can and more by highly motivated, rewarded, and appreciated educators.
Are there any types of books students should not have access to in school libraries or classrooms? Please explain.
No response.
What should the district’s approach be to handling emerging AI technologies?
The biggest challenge AI is giving educators is plagiarism. School is about individual accomplishment and personal success. On the other hand if helping to develop AI tech is part of the STEM curriculum, then by all means full speed ahead. The report card of the district shows that only about 5% fit into this category.
How should the school board balance having the resources to fund schools with residents’ concerns about property taxes?
Covid Money is going away, just under one year of those monies are left. Me personally, my taxes were increased nearly 15% this year. Everyone feels property taxes directly and indirectly. Mortgages cost more and rent gets raised. USD259 spends 38% more than state average does per student. If you exclude the six alternative schools from this USD259 still spends 7.6% more than the rest of the state.
How would you ensure transparency in school board and school district actions?
Continue to have open, recorded, published meetings.
Is there anything not currently taught in Wichita Public Schools that you think should be taught? Anything currently being taught that you think should not be taught?
Math 14%, ELA (Reading) 18%, Science 14%. As soon as these basic fundamental grades become the focus of education, then I think we can start putting our attention on other extracurricular academics.
Stan Reeser
Age: 61
Position: No response
Past: Volunteer for the Wichita Public Schools through PTOs and School Site Councils, Wichita City Council Member 1991 to 1995, Board Member of the Wichita Transit Authority Board 2016 to early 2018, Appointed to the Wichita BOE in October of 2017. Elected to the Wichita BOE in November of 2019. Have served on the Wichita BOE for nearly 6 years which included 2 years as Board President from January of 2021 to January of 2023.
Education: Graduate of Wichita High School South, 1980 and a Graduate of Wichita State University in 1988.
Party: Democrat
Phone: 316-636-7864
Email: Stan@VoteStanReeser.com
Website: www.VoteStanReeser.com
What is the most pressing issue for the Wichita school district and what do you think the school board should do about it?
Teacher retention is the most pressing issue now before us, with nearly one-third of Kansas teachers planning to leave education in the next few years, during my time on the School Board, we have been working to address the needs of our teachers in an effort to retain them, and we must continue our work in this area.
What other issue do you feel strongly about?
It’s time for the School Board to develop a new five-year strategic plan. Our focus on our current plan increased our graduation rates and helped us make progress with reading and math scores. I am committed to using best practices and, like I did during my two years as President of the Board of Education, keeping the long-term focus on executing our plan.
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision?
During my four years on the Wichita Public Schools Board of Education, two of which I served as board president, I have a successful record of leading and bringing about positive change – including guiding an increase in our graduation rate from 74% to 80%. My wife, my kids, and now my grand kids all attended Wichita Public Schools. I am heavily invested in making sure we have local effective public schools that provide each child with the opportunity to live up to their fullest potential.
What if anything needs to change about how schools deal with disruptive student behavior in the classroom?
The Board of Education must continue to make school safety one of our highest priorities. The key is to find the right balance between consequences for improper behavior with efforts to address the causes. Restorative Practices, a way for students to be accountable for their actions and take steps to correct them, is an effective technique we use to address behavior and safety matters.
What steps should the district take to improve students’ math and reading skills/test scores?
We have made progress in basic reading and math skills in many elementary schools. We must continue to target our weakest areas with the use of phonics and math basics while balancing the needs of our proficient and accelerated students.
What should the Wichita school board do to recruit and retain qualified teachers?
A recent statewide survey of teachers highlights areas we must address to retain our teachers. First, we need to increase compensation while holding teachers accountable in the classroom. Teaching is an emotionally and mentally draining occupation, and we need to ensure our educators have access to quality mental and emotional health services. Third, we need to continue to offer more opportunities for professional growth and continuing education.
Are there any types of books students should not have access to in school libraries or classrooms? Please explain.
Our students deserve every opportunity to enjoy the wide world of reading books appropriate for their age. School Board members should work with our professional staff to make sure our students have the age appropriate resources to learn and grow.
What should the district’s approach be to handling emerging AI technologies?
Our children should learn to rely on their own critical thinking skills before turning to artificial intelligence. AI is an emerging technology that we need to keep an eye on.
How should the school board balance having the resources to fund schools with residents’ concerns about property taxes?
The School Board needs to be realistic with its budget. Inflation and rising property values have been tough on hardworking Kansans, and we owe it to them to be fiscally responsible with the resources we currently have. There are always going to be new programs, technologies, and systems for our schools. The School Board has a responsibility to prioritize its needs and work to get our district the biggest return on its investment.
How would you ensure transparency in school board and school district actions?
I would like to see regular town hall style meetings with the public, especially when we have important decisions coming up. I support the growing use of community surveys to help us shape our decision-making. I also think we need to share our goals and progress on our district website.
Is there anything not currently taught in Wichita Public Schools that you think should be taught? Anything currently being taught that you think should not be taught?
We want to ensure our students are future-ready, whether they need training for the job market or are preparing for college. Working with local businesses, colleges, and tech schools, we need to make more opportunities available to our students. Critical thinking skills, basic life skills, and financial literacy are all areas that could use support.
