Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Spring Hill 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 Spring Hill 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 4
Autumn Coleman-Marconett
I was born in Nanjing, China and adopted in the late 90’s. I served 8-years active duty in the Marine Corps and am presently a disabled veteran. I have a Bachelor’s in Accounting, MBA, and am pursuing a PhD in Higher Education. I am a published book author. I have 2 children, soon to be 3. One of which goes to Dayton Creek Elementary. My others are 2 1/2 and due beginning of December. I have a wide variety of both educational and lived experiences that qualifies me for such a position.
Nicole Melius (incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Member 5
Steve Miller
I graduated from The University of Kansas with a bachelors in secondary education and a special education certification. I spent the next 5 years teaching adaptive special education at Bonner Springs High School in the KC Metro area. During my time in Bonner, I worked directly with students on IEPs in the classroom, advocated for and managed the IEP implementation for a caseload of 25+ students, and provided support in the general education classroom. I coached a State Champion golfer and served as the Chair for the Special Education department.
I left education to pursue a 10+ year career in hospitality, and became the Assistant General Manager and then Interim GM of a Country Club in KC, where I helped guide a Board of Directors on club decisions through Covid.
Wanting to spend more time with my family, I transitioned into the Technology Staffing industry in 2022, where I help jobseekers in the tech field find careers.
Each step of my journey has centered around helping people and that passion for supporting others, paired with my background in the classroom, make me a highly qualified candidate for the School Board.
I have 5 beautiful children, ages 6 to 13, attending school in the district, thus I’m incredibly invested in not only USD 230, but the community as a whole.
Chris Olsen
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Member 6
Ted Beauchamp
I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics with an emphasis in Actuarial Science from Kansas State University. I declined multiple opportunities in the actuary field to pursue a career in industrial automation instead. I’ve designed and programmed many automated systems. I’ve worked closely with engineering firms, contractors, and municipalities in the application of high horsepower motor controllers, from conceptual designs to delivery and commissioning. I currently work for ABB, a large electrification and automation company, where I manage service contracts for heavy industry customers. Given my background, I’m a big supporter of STEM programs and look forward to expanding our current curriculum and after school activities in these areas.
I have four kids in the district and my wife is a teacher. I served as co-chair on the Vote Yes 2025 bond committee and am now on my third year as a member of the Spring Hill Middle School Site Council, having served as chair last year. I’ve been volunteering for Game On for Kansas Schools, a public education advocacy group, for the past year.
My corporate experience with automation and contracts, strong advocacy for public education, vested interest for my own children, and desire to support and respect all students qualifies me for this position.
Keith Ewing (incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
