Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in federal, state and local races address leading up to the Nov. 3 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 special education, and reading and literacy.

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

Readers across the ideological spectrum asked about parents’ rights. Some want more say over which books their children are exposed to in the classroom and school library. Others worry about banning books. What role should parents play when they object to a book? Should the state set one policy, or continue leaving that to local boards?

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

Amy Diediker (Democratic)

I believe we should trust our educators and local school districts to select high-quality, age-appropriate books for students. As a mom of three, I value the opportunity for my children to be exposed to a variety of ideas, perspectives, and cultures through literature.

I also believe parents should have the ability to make decisions about what is appropriate for their own children, while respecting that other families may make different choices. Parents should have the option to select alternative reading materials for their children without removing those books for all students.

Ultimately, I believe these decisions are best made at the local level, with educators, parents, administrators, and local school boards working together, rather than being dictated by the State Board of Education.

Jim McMullen (Republican)

Local school boards are really much better positioned to address these questions since they live in their respective communities and have access to their elected board members. There are two important principles that the State Board can emphasize … (1) parents always have the right to object to content, even if it doesn’t make sense to leadership or others, and (2) common sense solves most problems.

Coming up:

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

As federal health officials revise vaccine recommendations, readers asked whether Kansas should keep its current school vaccine requirements, including for measles. What is your position, and what role, if any, should the state board play?