School Board Elections

Eight candidates running to be on the Blue Valley School Board spoke at a forum hosted by the Blue Valley Post on Wednesday. With four open seats, candidates have split into two even slates: one that represents the status quo, and another that seeks to push back against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and lessons about race and racism.

Robert Sagastume, a senior student advisor with the Hispanic Development Fund, and Spark Bookhart, a convener with the Parent Power Lab, are seeking the subdistrict 3 spot on the Kansas City Public Schools board.

Shereka Barnes knew she couldn't return to teaching, even as schools faced worsening staff shortages during the pandemic. But she did return to the education field, this time in a different role.

After a pro-slavery petition and a teacher repeating a racial slur, Park Hill diversity issues took center stage. Leaders say there’s an appetite for change.

This year's school board elections were met with heightened interest after district leaders faced debates over COVID precautions, teaching race in schools and books in school libraries.

School board elections are in the spotlight, with district leaders facing divisive issues over COVID precautions, teaching race in schools and books in school libraries.

A 2014 analysis pinpoints the characteristics of individual school board members that improve a district's chances of outperforming similar districts.

Superintendent Pam Stranahan was given a $425,000 severance package by the Gardner Edgerton school board before its newly-elected conservative majority could take office in January. Incoming board members were eager to fire Stranahan over her COVID-19 decisions.

Candidates have from Dec. 7 through Dec. 28 to file for offices like city council and school board in Missouri.

Kansans went to the polls on Tuesday to decide a number of critical races, including the next mayors of Overland Park and Kansas City, Kansas. Hear about the results of those elections, plus a number of school board races that became battlegrounds for controversial national issues.

It's Election Day in Kansas, and the most contentious races may actually be for your local school board — which have become battlegrounds for issues like face masks and "critical race theory." Also, experts say Missouri's lack of mental health coverage may be causing physicians to over-prescribe anti-anxiety meds.

In Blue Valley and other districts, school board races that previously were tame affairs are increasingly lit up by hot-button national issues, including schools’ efforts at addressing race and diversity.