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, vouchers and the public system, and DEI, “culture war” issues and outside pressure.
Today, we’re publishing 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?
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
The Board’s proper role is to guide school districts to focus on their core mission and spend no energy on political or social matters. Just use common sense. Boys cannot be girls, and girls cannot be boys. This is common sense.
Steve Roberts
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Coming up:
Tomorrow we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:
Beyond funding fights, the board helps set academic standards for Kansas schools. One reader, for instance, asked whether students should have to pass the U.S. citizenship test to graduate. What standards or graduation requirements would you prioritize, and how do you see the board’s core role when it comes to setting the standards Kansas students must meet?
