What Wichita school board candidates have to say about the issues
Wichita school board
Voters will choose one board member in the at-large race and one in the District 4 race.
In the District 4 race, incumbent Jeff Davis will be on the ballot but says he is not campaigning. He did not respond to The Eagle’s voter guide questionnaire.
At large
Michael Capps
Age: 37
Occupation: CEO at itKansas
Education: Community College of the Air Force, Western Governors University
Experience: None
Phone: 316-202-8683
E-mail: michael@cappsfor259.com
Website: www.cappsfor259.com
Q. Please explain how your experiences and education qualify you to be on the school board.
A. As a business leader, parent and active member in our community, the variety of life and professional experiences provides me a unique insight into focusing our students and teachers. With more than a decade managing large budgets, including complex government contracts, I understand firsthand the strategies needed to reduce costs, while still delivering and enhancing our district’s services. Combined with having a student in our district, I understand the challenges our parents face.
Q. If elected, what would be your top priority?
A. My top priority is succeeding with what we have. Education finance in Kansas is under continuous change in Topeka and most districts will see a reduction in funding. Success will come from looking at our spending, focusing on the classroom and teachers first and questioning whether spending is truly for the benefit of our students and teachers in non-classroom areas. Restoring focus on the classroom will improve our community engagement.
Q. Do you think the district’s schools are adequately secure? If not, what should be done to make them safer?
A. The safety of our students must be our highest priority. USD 259’s Safety Services are highly trained individuals with a passion for student safety. Combined with our local law enforcement partnerships, I believe our district delivers a safe environment for students. However, safety is a constantly evolving matter that requires investment in training and resources for all staff to stay ahead of issues and insure a safe learning environment.
Sheril Logan
Age: 69
Occupation: Retired former educator: teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for USD 259, and assistant dean at WSU
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education
Experience: Wichita Public Schools board member, current president
Phone: 316-722-6708
E-mail: logan@sherillogan.com
Website: www.sherillogan.com
Q: Why are you running?
Q. Please explain how your experiences and education qualify you to be on the school board.
A. I have spent my entire working career as an educator (teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, assistant dean). This leadership experience at all levels has helped me guide the district through multimillion-dollar budget reductions. These are not easy times but I listen to the community, parents, staff and students, study the facts and made decisions that will keep the district moving forward by raising achievement. The budget cuts have not stopped so I am still needed.
Q. If elected, what would be your top priority?
A. My top priority always will be educating all children to highest levels. It takes money to educate our urban population of 51,000 students with 78 percent free and reduced lunch. This means taking budget cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. It also means looking differently at how we engage the parents, community and businesses in a partnership to educate our students for the technological world where they will work. There must be a laser focus on what is needed at the classroom level.
Q. Do you think the district’s schools are adequately secure? If not, what should be done to make them safer?
A. With the bond, all our schools will have a tornado safe room and secure entrances where all must enter and be screened before going into the building. Schools have regularly scheduled safety drills, bully prevention training and staff training in safety. Schools must have a safe and secure environment for all students to learn. All these should continue because in today’s world we have to stay vigilant in making sure our schools and students are safe.
District 4
Joshua Blick
Age: 38
Occupation: Owner of Wichita Tire Store
Education: GED
Experience: Wichita District Advisory Board, Cleaveland Traditional Magnet PTA president, Southwest Neighborhood Association president
Phone: 316-778-0095
E-mail: Joshua@JoshuaBlick.com
Website: www.JoshuaBlick.com
Q. Please explain how your experiences and education qualify you to be on the school board.
A. I believe that District 4 needs a leader that has been involved in the community and has a voice in the community. As a local leader in my community we have learned that handouts don’t grow on trees and it’s going to take partnerships with local business and local communities to help fill in the gap with the budget restrictions. Providing these resources and connections will be key for our students of the district.
Q. If elected, what would be your top priority?
A. Balanced budget, student safety, student accessibility to new technology, increase STEM Programs and build partnerships within our local businesses and communities.
Q. Do you think the district’s schools are adequately secure? If not, what should be done to make them safer?
A. I have experienced the increase in student safety within the present school year and I believe that we are moving in the right direction. With newer technology comes increased cost, but the safety of our students should take weight.
Online voter guide
Learn more about city and school board candidates in Sedgwick and Butler counties in the online voter guide at Kansas.com/politics.
This story was originally published March 28, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "What Wichita school board candidates have to say about the issues."