Student achievement, diversity education and age-appropriate reading materials were some of the major topics of discussion at a candidate forum hosted by the Post on Thursday evening at the Lenexa City Center Library.
About 30 people attended, gathering at the heart of the library.
The forum featured six candidates vying for the four open Shawnee Mission Board of Education seats. Two candidates who will also appear on the ballot — Mark Tallent in the Shawnee Mission South area and at-large candidate Logan Austin — did not attend.
Who are the candidates?
Member 1, Shawnee Mission North area
Member 3, Shawnee Mission South area
- Incumbent Jessica Hembree
- Mark Tallent
Member 5, Shawnee Mission Northwest area
- Incumbent Jamie Borgman
- Lynn McLarty
Member 7, at-large
- David H. Westbrook
- Logan Austin
How to watch the forums
- The Post’s recording of the forum is embedded below.
- Immediately following the embedded video are the questions each candidate answered during the forum.
- Timestamps are included in bold to help navigate through the forum video.
- Candidate opening statements. [4:14]
- If you are elected or reelected, what is your biggest priority or priorities going into the next four years in the Shawnee Mission School District? [11:50]
Mario Garcia III. Photo credit Leah Wankum. - Do you think the district’s current approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is on the right track? Why or why not? [23:35]
Ronald Occhiogrosso. Photo credit Leah Wankum. - As a board member, you may very well be faced with requests from some parents to review or even remove books or curricular materials from schools. What principles will guide you as you determine whether a book or other materials should be removed from a school library or classroom? [39:02]
Jessica Hembree. Photo credit Leah Wankum. - Are current achievement levels in Shawnee Mission acceptable to you? Why or why not? [53:38]
Jamie Borgman. Photo credit Leah Wankum. - What qualities do you consider are essential for an excellent teacher? List the specific ways you as an elected board member will support teachers and staff. [1:07:53]
Lynn McLarty. Photo credit Leah Wankum. - The Shawnee Mission School Board earlier this fall unanimously approved a new $580 million budget for the current school year that saw a nearly 14% year-over-year increase in spending. SMSD’s mill rate remains the lowest of any Johnson County school district, but is this extra spending, that expanding budget, necessary, in your opinion? Why or why not? [1:17:55]
David Westbrook. Photo credit Leah Wankum. - What is Shawnee Mission doing right with student devices and what should the district change or improve? [1:27:12]
- Closing statements. [1:35:01]
