Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for De Soto 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 USD 232 community.

Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

Student achievement: Monitoring student achievement and enacting policies and programs that drive that achievement is one of the main responsibilities of a school board. What do you see as the most urgent area for academic growth in your district? And how would you tackle it if elected?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:

Member 4

Lucy Rumsey DeWitt

At the most recent board meeting, the results of state testing were shared. In all three categories, ELA, science, and math, USD 232 scored well above the state average. These scores are proof of the dedication and diligence of staff, teachers, and students themselves teachers who work tirelessly every day. A new state test was administered this year and we will not have trackable data until next year, but our district is committed to tracking student learning and growth and finding ways to address any flags that may arise. With the rapid growth of the district, the most pressing concern is hiring and retaining quality teachers in USD 232 who will continue our district on this positive trajectory. To help achieve this goal we need to continue to offer competitive salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities to our educators. It is my job on the board to continue to listen to all stakeholders and make decisions to support learning.

Nancy Moneymaker

The De Soto School District continues to excel in student achievement despite numerous federal and state mandates that often limit local flexibility. Ensuring academic growth remains the primary responsibility of the school board, yet accurately measuring achievement has become increasingly difficult under current state requirements.

Kansas mandates achievement reporting through limited measures of “success,” such as assessment scores, graduation rates, and postsecondary effectiveness. While the Kansas Can Vision “Kansas leads the world in the success of each student” and its Mission “To prepare students for lifelong success” sound aspirational, their implementation often conflicts with true academic achievement. These goals emphasize arbitrary outcomes rather than mastery of core learning, sometimes leading to higher scores or higher graduation rates without ensuring students are fully prepared for future challenges.

State assessments further complicate this picture. Administered under a contract between the Kansas State Department of Education and the University of Kansas, the tests include psychometric items with no definitive answers and remain inaccessible for review before or after testing. This lack of transparency prevents educators and school boards from using the results as reliable indicators of student achievement.

To gain a clearer understanding of achievement, school boards must rely on additional, locally controlled measures. Empowering teachers, particularly in PK–6, to emphasize foundational skills in literacy, math, and critical thinking has proven to yield lasting improvements. Supporting strong instruction in these early years is the most effective path to sustained academic growth and meaningful student achievement.

Member 5

Christian Amend

Did not provide the Post with a response.

Calley Malloy (incumbent)

Student achievement remains our district’s top priority. While we continue to perform exceptionally well and consistently exceed state averages, we recognize that there is always room for growth and improvement. As a Board, we are committed to ensuring that every school within our district is performing at a high level so that all students have equal opportunities for success. We will continue to make sure teachers and students are fully prepared by providing the necessary tools, resources, and support to help every learner reach their highest potential.

Member 6

TJ Finan

One of the most urgent areas for academic growth in our district is improving foundational literacy and math skills, particularly in the early and middle grade levels. These core competencies are the building blocks for all future academic success, yet data often shows gaps forming as students’ progress through school. To address this, I would advocate for early intervention programs, expanded tutoring support, and professional development that helps teachers with the latest evidence-based instructional strategies.

Another area needing attention is the achievement gap among student subgroups, including students with disabilities and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. We must ensure all students have access to the resources, support, and instruction they need to thrive. Additionally, I would support programs that promote student engagement, such as project-based learning and real-world application of skills, which not only improve academic performance but also build critical thinking and collaboration.

Lastly, increasing parent and community involvement in student learning can make a significant impact. If elected, I would work to create stronger connections between schools and families, ensure data is used transparently to track progress, and support policies that prioritize growth, support teachers, and keep students at the center of every decision.

Brandi Jonasson (incumbent)

I think there are several areas we need to keep our focus on as a district. First, we still need to pay attention to the learning loss from the pandemic. We’ve made a lot of progress, but we can’t get comfortable. We have to keep supporting students who are still catching up.

We also need to make sure our kids are ready for whatever comes after graduation, whether that’s college, trade school, the military, or going straight into a job. They need to leave high school with strong critical thinking skills and the ability to keep learning as the world changes.

I’d love to see us keep expanding real-world learning opportunities and college and career pathways. And we can’t ignore how much technology, especially AI, is changing the job market. We should be preparing students and teachers to use it in meaningful ways.

That means continuing to invest in our teachers through professional development and coaching so they feel confident using new tools and bringing fresh ideas into their classrooms.

We also need to use data to understand what’s working for our students and where they might need more support. And just as important, we need to keep the lines of communication open with families and the community, sharing both our successes and the areas where we can do better.