Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Gardner Edgerton Board of Education to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to the Gardner Edgerton community.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Background: Readers want to know something of your background. Briefly explain your education and employment history and how those experiences qualify you for this job. Readers also want to know if you currently have or in the past have had children go to schools in the district you seek to represent.
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Member 1 (two-year unexpired term)
Julie Aldridge
I have been married to my best friend, Brian, for almost 26 years and moved to our Gardner home 25 years ago. I am a mom of four who all graduated Gardner Edgerton High School (GEHS) in 2003, 2005, and twins in 2021. I am a grandma, aunt, and great-aunt to children who attend various schools in the Gardner Edgerton school district. I co-founded a nonprofit organization for adults with disabilities in the Twin Cities metro area of Minnesota to become professional visual and performing artists locally, nationally, and internationally. I helped the Disability Rights Council (DRC) in changing Special Education law on Seclusion and Restraint in public schools. I am a trained Education Advocate with a Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) program and am appointed to several children throughout the State of Kansas to step into the role as a parent in the special education process. I have a master’s degree in special education and am currently an educator in a neighboring district. I am currently on the Gardner Edgerton Policy Committee. I also volunteer with various autism and special needs programs throughout the metro area, I will ensure every voice is heard, valued, and validated in the Gardner Edgerton school district with dignity and respect for all.
Matthew Harlow
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Melissa Hershey
I am proud to have two boys who attend local schools—my 9-year-old is at Madison Elementary, and my 13-year-old is at Pioneer Ridge Middle School. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Emporia State University. During my time there, I developed a deep appreciation for the dedication and enthusiasm required to succeed in a rigorous program, which was often inspired by friends pursuing careers in education. Their passion for teaching has always motivated me, and now, as a parent and professional working alongside educators daily, I am even more committed to supporting our schools.Currently, I serve as a 1:1 nurse and paraprofessional for a student with medical and special needs. My experience extends beyond healthcare—I previously served as Chair of the Nursing Coordinating Council at Menorah Medical Center, where I led teams of nurses to address staffing and equipment needs, working directly with leadership to improve patient care and working conditions. This role taught me valuable skills in leadership, advocacy, and collaboration.
In addition to my healthcare background, I have been actively involved in community and political efforts. I served as Chairwoman of the Gardner Edgerton Republican Party, managing a team of officers and organizing community events. I have also been elected twice as a Precinct Councilwoman. Across all my roles, I have learned that effective leadership depends on listening, clear communication, and working collaboratively toward shared goals.
Member 4
Sam Dominguez
I work as a Data Analyst by day and spend most evenings and weekends enjoying time with my husband and our two kids. Whether we’re exploring a new exhibit at the KC Zoo, spending the afternoon at a park, or tackling a new craft project together at home. Family time is incredibly important to me, and I try to create moments that encourage creativity, curiosity, and connection. I’m also actively involved in my son’s elementary school community, where I serve as PTA Treasurer. This role allows me to combine my professional skills in data and organization with my passion for supporting students, teachers, and families.
Beyond school activities, I dedicate much of my free time to volunteering with nonprofit organizations across the KC metro area. I work with groups that provide early childhood education opportunities for children living below the poverty line, as well as an organization that supports survivors of domestic violence and advocates for awareness and prevention efforts.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and an Associate’s degree in Anthropology, which have both deepened my appreciation for the ways science and culture intersect to shape human experiences. I grew up on the West Coast but chose to plant roots in Kansas in 2018, and I’ve never looked back. My experiences growing up in California, including periods of instability and personal challenge, taught me resilience, compassion, and empathy for people from all walks of life, fueling my lifelong commitment to advocacy and service.
Lana Sutton (incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Member 6
Greg Chapman (incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Keith Davenport
I’m the proud father of four wonderful kids in the school district – two in elementary, one in middle school, and one in high school. We’ve lived in the school district since 2015. The Board of Education is responsible for the budget, policies, and vision for more than 1,000 employees. Unfortunately, our Board of Education rarely has any executive level experience represented among those decision-makers. I own and operate several small businesses in the community and have extensive human resources and budget experience because of it. My past experience also includes work with Johnson County Mental Health Center and Johnson County Community College, where I worked on student success initiatives. I have a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Olivet Nazarene University, a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri.
