Voter guide: What Wichita school board candidates say on issues in District 1
Voters in District 1 of Wichita Public Schools can choose between two candidates for a four-year-term on the school board.
Incumbent Diane Albert is seeking a second term. Mackenzi Truelove is making her first run for the board. The two were the top finishers in the August primary.
District 1 extends from Central on the south to 69th Street on the north between I-135 and Webb. Only people who live in this area can vote in this race. Voters can find out which board district they live in by checking the Kansas secretary of state’s VoterView.
Those who are elected to the school board will be responsible for the Wichita school district’s policies and for managing its nearly $1 billion budget. Members hold their positions for four years and are not paid.
The election is Nov. 4. Advance voting by mail is open now. Request a ballot here by Tuesday, Oct. 28. Advance voting in person starts Monday, Oct. 20 at the Sedgwick County Election Office, 510 N. Main, Suite 101, in Wichita. Go here for details and information on satellite sites opening Thursday, Oct. 30.
To help voters learn about the candidates, The Eagle sent a questionnaire asking each candidate to share biographical details about themselves and respond to questions ranging from their priorities to student achievement to whether to propose a new bond issue.
Here is what the District 1 candidates said. The responses have not been edited.
Diane Albert
Age: 44
Occupation: Former Small Business Owner - General Contractor
Campaign phone: 316-869-2054
Campaign email: DianeAlbertBOE@gmail.com
Website: DianeAlbertBOE
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision? I am the current President of the Wichita Public Schools Board of Education, with proven leadership experience as both President and Vice-President. My vision is to keep student achievement at the center of every decision, raising achievement in reading, math, and career readiness, supporting strong teachers, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested wisely. I believe that education is the most effective way to lift families out of poverty and create opportunities for every child.
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it? My top priority is student achievement. We have restructured the board meetings to focus on academics and progress monitoring. In 2023, the district implemented professional development in structured literacy to improve reading outcomes. I will continue to push for better achievement in reading, math, and critical thinking, while supporting FutureReady Centers and CTE pathways that offer hands-on learning and industry-recognized certifications to prepare students for success after graduation.
Would you vote for the district to seek another public vote on a bond issue? Why or why not? I would consider supporting a future bond only if it is the most fiscally responsible way to meet the district’s significant facility needs. Taxpayer dollars must be used wisely, and any proposal must be transparent, right-sized for enrollment trends, and focused on critical maintenance and safe, modern learning environments. I support the Financial Oversight Committee’s work in reviewing options and recommendations, while remaining open to other funding solutions.
Would you vote to follow the facilities master plan and close more schools? Why or why not? School closures are not taken lightly, these are tough decisions. However, with financial constraints, we must invest resources where they have the most direct impact on student achievement. Underutilized buildings with high maintenance costs drain funds from student supports. Following the Facilities Master Plan, along with clear communication and a new public dashboard to help communicate facility priorities, will help to ensure transparency and responsible stewardship.
The city and county both lowered their property tax mill levies slightly this year while the school district did not. Would you vote to cut the district’s property tax rate in the future? Why or why not? Of course, there are many factors to balance. Teachers are working harder than ever, and it is imperative that we continue to invest in them financially and with professional development that drives learning. We are in the midst of making real changes and investments to improve outcomes. As a fiscal conservative, I believe discipline is essential. If we can continue these improvements while lowering the mill levy responsibility, I will support it.
How would you ensure the district is graduating students who are prepared with the thinking skills they will need in adulthood? Preparing students for adulthood requires both family engagement and student responsibility, as well as strong district support. Wichita Public Schools provides real opportunities through the FutureReady Centers and CTE Pathways, including construction and skills trade, auto tech, health sciences, and IT, while building critical thinking in academics. When students embrace these opportunities, they graduate ready for work, college, or military service. Learn more at www.usd259.org/CTE.
Mackenzi Truelove
Age: 33
Occupation: Senior Regulatory Coordinator
Campaign phone: No response
Campaign email: truelovecampaignUSD259@gmail.com
Website: Mackenzi Truelove for School Board USD 259
Why should voters consider you the most qualified candidate? What is your overall vision? Voters can consider me the most qualified candidate because of my B.S. in Biomedical Science, Master of Health Administration, and certificate in quality improvement. Background in healthcare and research give me the ability to focus on people while making data driven decisions. I believe in building community to improve schools in District 1 and city wide. With attacks on finances and diversity, I’m determined to expand resources, build trust and transparency, and protect DEI.
What is your top priority and what specifically would you do to address it? My absolute top priority would be getting a bond issue passed, and I will be out there personally calling and knocking doors to make sure people understand all they can about this issue. This relates to creating a safe and supportive environment for students and school staff and making sure that we can use other funding sources for other crucial items like staff pay and upgraded teaching materials.
Would you vote for the district to seek another public vote on a bond issue? Why or why not? I support another bond issue because maintaining and improving these buildings is important for the wellbeing of students and school staff. It’s extremely hard to look past the lack of support that we saw for the bond earlier this year when the tax rate wouldn’t have changed and the money would be for upgrading heating and cooling systems. Kids shouldn’t have to wear their winter coats throughout the school days when temperatures drop and teachers deserve a more comfortable working environment.
Would you vote to follow the facilities master plan and close more schools? Why or why not? I do not support the closure of schools unless there is a plan to build a new school in the same area. Schools make the neighborhood and families need close access to schools for safety and convenience. Closing schools removes this access and will only isolate some families and neighborhoods. The board needs to work to maintain robust neighborhoods, not slowly undercut those communities by closing schools therein.
The city and county both lowered their property tax mill levies slightly this year while the school district did not. Would you vote to cut the district’s property tax rate in the future? Why or why not? Unfortunately, no. Cutting property taxes would mean less of a funding source for our schools, which employs 5500 people and is the daytime dwelling place of over 45000 kids. Maintaining and improving buildings, educational materials, and programs requires a steady funding source and I think that our kids and school staff are worth maintaining the tax rate, especially with less and less funding from higher places.
How would you ensure the district is graduating students who are prepared with the thinking skills they will need in adulthood? While technology can bolster innovation, it can also stifle it. Cutting down on classroom distractions through cell phone use and teaching about how to identify AI fallacies is important. Being able to identify sources of truth is critical for informed decision making. Another is making sure that kids are really getting the education they need around real world issues like interest rates and filing taxes.