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 school funding and special education, and vouchers and the public system.

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

Readers raised concerns both about federal pressure on districts over diversity initiatives and a desire to keep schools focused on core learning rather than “culture-war” fights. What guidance should the board give districts, and how should it respond when schools face outside political or legal pressure on these matters?

For the Kansas State Board of Education, there is a primary just for Republicans. Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:

Jim McMullen

My entire time in an elected position (on my local school board), I advocated for schools to emphasize their core mission … which is to equip young people with a foundational body of knowledge that will serve as the building blocks that students need to excel. Many in the education field have spent far too much energy focused on social or political matters like DEI. Just focus on core principles, and these controversies will disappear.

Steve Roberts

Did not provide the Post with a response.

Coming up:

Tomorrow we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:

Readers seem to come at this issue from both directions. Some said they want “no boys in girls’ sports” and object to “transgender bathrooms” as a focus. Others want the board to more forcefully protect LGBTQ and other vulnerable students. What is the board’s proper role on these questions, and how would you handle them?