Shawnee Heights school board candidates share thoughts

Effectively meeting students' mental health needs and avoiding the election of board members with self-serving agendas were cited as priorities recently by candidates running for seats on the Board of Education for Shawnee Heights Unified School District 450.

The Topeka Capital-Journal recently reached out to pose three questions to each of the six candidates for the four board seats in USD 450 that are up for a vote Nov. 5.

Those candidates are Matt Stadler and Lauren Tice Miller for District A, Position 1; Rocky J. Busenitz for District B, Position 2; Eric G. Deitcher for District C, Position 3; and Joel Manzanares and Jason A. Schulz for Member At-Large.

Here is what the candidates who responded had to say:

District A, Position 1: Lauren Tice Miller

Why are you running?

I am running for re-election because I want to continue working to ensure the district builds upon the quality of education it is known for in order to adequately prepare students for a 21st century workforce. Our students deserve safe, secure, and inclusive learning environments with excellent teachers, modern amenities, and diverse academic and extracurricular opportunities. Our teachers and staff deserve a supportive workplace and to be provided with resources and opportunities to achieve success. Our patrons deserve accountability, transparency, and good stewards of their tax dollars.

I am proud of the work I have done with my fellow board members in my time serving the district. Some of the accomplishments I’m most proud of include: increasing base teacher pay to $40,000 per year; hiring a communications specialist, who has recently become communications director, to increase communication with patrons; adding art to sixth-grade classrooms; approving all-day preschool for at-risk 4-year-olds; offering in-school dental clinics; and, adopting a consistent policy for elementary schools to allow costumes and Halloween parties.

Shawnee Heights does many things well, but I believe there is always room for improvement. I will continue working with others to make positive changes for our district.

Why are you the best candidate in your particular race?

I am a lifelong resident and graduate of Shawnee Heights, by way of Tecumseh South Elementary. My husband and I have owned a home and lived within the Position 1A boundary for the past six years. Our son attended Shawnee Heights Elementary; he is now a seventh grader. We also have two daughters who are future students of Shawnee Heights. I bring insights and experience to the board as a former student and as a parent within the district as well as a current board member.

Additionally, I am the communications director for Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley. The 2020 Legislative Session marks the start of my eighth year working for the Kansas Legislature. It is my responsibility to keep constituents and caucus members informed. This gives me direct knowledge of past and present issues impacting our school district and our community from the state level.

Finally, as a communications professional with more than a decade of experience, I remain committed to actively communicating with and seeking the opinions of district patrons, even if they differ from my own. I will also continue helping identify ways to improve communication within the district.

What do you see as being the key issues in your district's election, and where do you stand on them?

First and foremost, we must keep working to strengthen the trust within our district. This comes with accountability and transparency. It is imperative for patrons, administrators, teachers, and staff to be informed of decisions at the appropriate times.

Secondly, the Kansas Legislature provided additional funding for K-12 public schools this past legislative session, and the Kansas Supreme Court determined it was adequate. However, with the way the Legislature works, nothing is ever permanent. As a board, we must continue to make fiscally responsible investments while also continuing to advocate for adequate and equitable funding.

Additionally, we must continue investing in resources and services to address our students’ social and emotional needs. This is a serious issue that is brought up in nearly every conversation. Fortunately, we have a great mental health team in place who is already working hard to identify these needs.

Finally, with the statewide shortage of teachers and bus drivers, we must creatively recruit and retain high quality teachers and staff. I believe this includes providing professional development opportunities, work/life balance initiatives, and access to resources to help create the best possible workplace and, in turn, learning environment for our students.

District C, Position 3: Eric Deitcher

Why are you running?

I am running for re-election to continue to serve the patrons of Shawnee Heights School District in the overall best interest of Shawnee Heights and to continue to advocate at the local and state level for public education.

Why are you the best candidate in your particular race?

I believe I am the best candidate for this particular race since quite honestly, I have no opposition in this election cycle. But with that, I am asking the patrons of the district to vote for me to show that they support my efforts in serving on the school board.

What do you see as being the key issues in this district's election, and where do you stand on them?

Fortunately, I see the only key issue in our district’s election is electing/re-electing individuals to the Shawnee Heights Board of Education that do not have a self-serving agenda. Currently, our board is made up of individuals that strive to serve in a transparent manner and in the district's best interest and I believe this has made for a very healthy school board that has worked well as an effective team in the overall best interest of the district.