Julie A. Hedrick, candidate for 259 school board District 2 in Wichita, KS
Name: Julie A. Hedrick
Age: 65
Occupation: Architect; Retired Division Director of Facilities for Wichita Public Schools for Wichita Public Schools
Previous government service: I was elected to the Board of Education for USD #259 in 2017 so will complete my first four year term in January. I have also served on several city of Wichita boards including Design Board and Access Advisory Board.
Have you run for office before? (Please list any previous offices sought)
The only time I have run previously is when I won USD #259 BOE four years ago.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it?
The top issue in my race is that school is for the kids and school board should be to serve the kids. This means in all decisions I will stay focused on kids and what’s best for kids; not on a political or personal agenda. My record for the past year proves this to be my focus. I’m in this for the kids.
The board’s actions have been dominated this past year and a half by the response to the COVID-19 issue and the policies surrounding it. Please outline what you feel needs to be done to protect our children at this point, and specifically address whether you think a mask mandate for staff and/or students is necessary now. Why or why not?
As conditions have changed, the BOE has reviewed the data and the facts surrounding the situation and have modified guidelines when conditions change. We are just on the brink of having a vaccine available for all our youngest students. That is a huge factor for change. As Covid cases continue to drop and data shows fewer and fewer quarantines and absences and when a vaccine is available for every student should they choose to have it, the board should reconsider and discuss the appropriate response.
The district has invested millions of dollars during the pandemic to create the capability of equipping students for remote learning. Now, the state Legislature has prohibited school districts from offering that option to parents on an ongoing basis. Do you agree or disagree with that decision by the Legislature? Why or why not and what, if anything, do you intend to do about it?
One of the positive results of the pandemic is technology available for all students. That is a great asset and opportunity for our students even when they are on site. For the majority of families, we found that it works best for kids to be on site. But there are varied needs for our students and families throughout the district and we attempt to meet the needs of all the best we can. For those who prefer remote, I would like the Legislature to make it a possibility. Plus we should be able to pivot to a remote option on bad weather days and when water pipes break so that we can maximize learning days. What will I do about it? Contact my legislators and express my opinion as I have done on important issues in the past.
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