Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in contested races address leading up to the Aug. 4 primary election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.
Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question. So far, we’ve published responses on property taxes and state tax policy.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Readers want to hear what statehouse candidates say about fully funding public schools and special education. Several readers also expressed worries that vouchers could harm Johnson County’s public schools. How would you advocate for funding public schools and special education? Where do you stand on school vouchers?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
District 5 — Republican
Jon Chitwood
My top priority is delivering a stable school funding formula before the current one expires next year. We need a funding system that actually works so schools can plan, taxpayers have certainty, and students are prepared for real careers. The Legislature’s approach of shifting costs onto local property taxpayers while forcing schools to rely on lawsuits is not a long-term solution. I will fight for real funding stability for our schools, meaningful efficiency improvements in education, and genuine relief for taxpayers.
I believe public schools must come first. They serve the vast majority of Kansas students, including students with disabilities, rural students, and families who do not have other practical options. We certainly can’t afford vouchers if we can’t meet our existing SPED obligation in public schools.
Today’s education is tomorrow’s economy. I will fight for stable school funding, stronger career and technical education, meaningful efficiency improvements, and services that help every student succeed.
Courtney Sappington (incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Courtney L. Crawford
Did not provide the Post with a response.
District 26 — Democratic
Robert Collins
Strong public schools are one of Johnson County’s greatest strengths and one of the primary reasons families choose to live, work, and invest here. They prepare our future workforce, strengthen our communities, and attract employers. As your representative, I will work to ensure Kansas fulfills its constitutional obligation to adequately fund public education and its statutory commitment to special education.
First, we must recognize that education is an investment in Kansas’ future, not simply another line item in the state budget. Strong public schools support a strong economy, protect property values, and help businesses recruit the skilled workforce they need.
Second, I support maintaining the Gannon school finance formula, including inflationary adjustments that help schools keep pace with rising costs. I also support Governor Laura Kelly’s responsible, multi-year plan to gradually increase state funding for special education until Kansas meets its statutory obligation. School districts should not have to divert money from general education to provide legally required services for students with disabilities.
Third, we must keep public education dollars in public schools. I oppose vouchers, education savings accounts, and similar proposals that divert taxpayer dollars from the schools serving the overwhelming majority of Kansas students. Kansas cannot fully fund public schools while simultaneously reducing the resources available to them.
Fourth, we must be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I will work to identify waste, fraud, and abuse across state government. Protecting taxpayer dollars is not about cutting essential services; it is about preserving and strengthening them. I also support voluntary statewide procurement initiatives that help school districts reduce costs by leveraging their combined purchasing power for major expenses while preserving local control.
Finally, we must strengthen the educator workforce by investing in teacher recruitment, mentoring, retention, and professional development. Recruiting and retaining excellent teachers improves student outcomes while reducing the significant costs associated with high staff turnover, making it a smart investment for both our schools and taxpayers.
Laura Johnson
Did not provide the Post with a response.
District 27 — Democratic
C. Edward Young
I am opposed to private school vouchers. Public schools are obligated to provide services that private schools are not. Removing a child from the public school that requires no additional services does not decrease the burden on taxpayers, it decreases the percentage of the population not requiring special services and therefore increases the cost to the school district and the impact to district taxes. Parents choosing to send their children to private school are making a choice not to use public services. This is like choosing not to participate in recreation programs or use the community center or call the police. An individual’s choice in the community does not reduce the burden on the community. People who choose not to have children could make the same argument for receiving a voucher because of their choice. Likewise, people whose children are no longer in school could make an argument for a rebate. However, all those people receive the benefit of the public school. The quality of life in an area is a direct reflection on the quality of the public schools. The public schools produce doctors, lawyers, recreation directors, and firefighters.
Article 6 of the Kansas Constitution should be a point of pride. We, as a citizenry, obligated ourselves to provide public education. The Kansas Constitution and federal law require us to offer certain services. Failing to meet this obligation is a disservice to our fellow Kansans. There may be aspects of the funding formula that require a revisit. Arguing over what 92% means is obnoxious.
Sara Kiewiet
Public education is the reason I decided to run for the Kansas House. As a mom and PTO Secretary, I’ve made it a priority to listen before proposing solutions. I’ve met with both the current and former Blue Valley School District superintendents, Blue Valley school board members, the retired Director of Blue Valley Special Education, teachers, and parents to better understand the challenges our schools face. Those conversations have reinforced my belief that our students succeed when our schools are adequately funded and our educators are supported.
I believe Kansas has a constitutional responsibility to fully and predictably fund public education, including special education. The state has consistently underfunded special education, forcing local districts to divert general education dollars to meet students’ needs. Special education serves a broad spectrum of students – including those with disabilities, developmental differences, and gifted learners – and every child deserves the individualized support that helps them reach their full potential. We must honor our commitment to special education funding so every student receives the services they deserve without reducing resources for other classrooms.
I do not support using public dollars for private school voucher programs. Public education serves every child, regardless of background, ability, or income, and our priority should be strengthening the schools that educate the vast majority of Kansas students. Rather than diverting funding away from public schools, I want to invest in excellent teachers, safe learning environments, strong special education services, and the resources students need to succeed.
District 30 — Democratic
Tyler Holmes
I am a proud graduate of Kansas public schools from kindergarten through law school (Blue Valley and KU). Every Kansan deserves the opportunity to receive the same incredible education I did, and we all stand to benefit in the form of more educated citizens and workers. I will advocate and vote to meet our state constitutional obligations for K-12 funding, including fully funding special education, and increase support for our post-secondary institutions. I oppose vouchers.
Amelia Wiederaenders
I support fully funding public schools and special education. I am against vouchers, because it is just a way of further defunding our public schools.
Zachary Thomas Hawkins
I am a proud product of our public education system here in Kansas. Public school has afforded me opportunities in life that I would not have had otherwise. The next generation of Kansans deserves the same opportunity. Our children deserve a strong education that cultivates critical thinking, builds confidence, and equips students to face life’s challenges. My number one issue is fully funding our public schools and fully funding our special education system. My dedication to our schools and teachers has not gone unnoticed. I am honored to be the ONLY candidate for house district 30 recommended by the Kansas National Educations Association (KNEA) – the largest teachers union in the state.
My platform on education is simple: give our teachers and school districts the money that they need to educate! For over a decade now, the state legislature has not met the constitutionally required funding levels set by the Kansas Supreme Court in the Gannon case. It’s long overdue that we fully fund our schools, give our teachers the salaries they deserve, with a fair retirement plan through KPERS.
Another problem facing our schools is intentional underfunding through private school vouchers. I don’t support vouchers in Kansas. Vouchers take funds from an already depleted public school budget and shift them to private entities which have no obligation to serve the public. I believe it’s irresponsible to give taxpayer dollars to unregulated and unaccredited private institutions.
District 78 — Democratic
Tim Lundberg
Public education is an integral part of the foundation of a functioning society. I am solidly in favor of fully funding public schools, including special education. I oppose any program that diverts public tax money to private schools.
KaMesha Bernard
Did not provide the Post with a response.
District 121 — Republican
Mike Storm (incumbent)
I proudly voted to fully fund K-12 public education, and I also voted to increase funding for special education. The amount appropriated for special education is determined during the budget process by legislative leadership and the budget committees before it comes to the full Legislature for a vote.
I believe we need to do more to improve the health and well-being of Kansas kids. That means requiring elementary schools to provide recess, encouraging students to meet national fitness standards, and removing unnecessary artificial dyes and additives from school meals. Healthy kids learn better, and our schools should help set them up for success both inside and outside the classroom.
Parents deserve to have choices in their children’s education, but we also have a responsibility to maintain strong public schools that prepare every student for success. I will continue supporting our public schools while working with parents, teachers, and local school boards to improve educational outcomes for every Kansas student.
Thomas Palenske
Funding public schools needs to be a priority for the state — education is one of the most important foundations to our success as Americans. With that funding, we need appropriate fiscal accountability. We also need to ensure that the funding reaches our rural school systems. Seperate from funding — parents should have the right to school choice whether public or private. The voucher system allows many families to choose school systems better in line with their values or more fitting for their child’s needs; however, those schools receiving any state funds, whether public or private, must adhere to the same policies. The school voucher program is a good opportunity for families to exercise their freedom of choice, especially those families with lower income or special needs, but like many other government programs, we must ensure it does not become inflated and it does not take away or cause challenges for funding our public schools. The use of vouchers should be a targeted approach and the state needs to be cognizant of how vouchers may be affecting our public schools.
Coming up:
Tomorrow we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:
Many readers noted that housing costs make buying a home in Johnson County increasingly out of reach for young families and make it harder for downsizing seniors to stay in Kansas. What state tools — housing finance, construction or zoning reform or property-tax mechanisms — would you support to make housing more attainable?
