Last school board member hopefuls file for races

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 26, 2005 by Barbara Hollingsworth Capital-Journal

Voters in Topeka Public Schools will hear a lot about the district's successes and shortcomings in coming months.

After Tuesday's noon deadline to file for office, two candidates had filed for each of three openings on the school board in Topeka Unified School District 501. Because no race drew more than two candidates, the school board races won't be on the ballot until the April 5 general election.

Although experience often gives incumbents a boost, questions about an international check scam and busing troubles likely will haunt veteran board members.

"There is part of me that was pretty humbled and angry at some of the things we had going," board president and candidate Mark Braun said Tuesday. "I think the message is to get out that those are fixed. I also want to make sure the message of academic improvement that we have seen is one that the citizens recognize."

His opponent, Betty Horton, has expressed concerns about the check scam, but on Tuesday she said the main issue will be the quality of education. To improve quality, she said, the district needs to plan strategically.

"We are flying by the seat of our pants," said Horton, an educator who has worked with the district at different times and referenced a strategic plan for the district she worked on in the late 1990s. "One of the things the strategic plan talked about is mobilizing the community. I don't see that happening."

In recent years, Horton and fellow candidate Janel Johnson have been among those to stand by former Quinton Heights Elementary School principal Sandra Lassiter. Lassiter and her supporters frequently have attended school board meetings complaining about what Lassiter described as an early, forced retirement from the district. She and the district recently settled her federal court dispute.

Johnson, who faces incumbent Doug Glenn, has said the way district officials handled the issue with parents was one reason she wanted to run for the school board.

The third race pits former district administrator Ned Nusbaum against Alfred "Al" Gutierrez, who has actively volunteered in the district.

School board members appointed Gutierrez to the board in August, a seat Nusbaum also sought.

Other districts

At least one race in si contested in Seaman USD 345, Auburn- Washburn USD 437 and Shawnee Heights USD 450.

Each seat will be decided in the April 5 general election. Although school board members run from different sections of school districts, voters may cast a ballot for each race in their school district.

Here are the candidates:

Auburn-Washburn USD 437: Incumbent Darren Haddock is being challenged by Shawn Tipping for Position 4. In the race for Position 5, incumbent Tom Denman faces Christine Garrett. Steve Cavanaugh, who was appointed to the board this year, is running unopposed for Position 6.

Shawnee Heights USD 450: Linda Hersh will take on board president Ann Dunn in a bid for Position 4. Position 5 incumbent Ken Scott is unopposed in his re-election bid as is newcomer Steve Walker, who is seeking election to Position 6.

Seaman USD 345: Incumbent Ann Minihan faces Jack Jacob in the race for Position 4. Incumbent Greg Hanna is unopposed in his run for Position 5. Bill Rollins and Frank Henderson Jr. are seeking election to Position 6. The incumbent, Steve Whorton, isn't seeking re- election.

Silver Lake USD 372: Incumbents Cindy Hawkins and Sam Grant are unopposed in their re-election bids for Positions 4 and 6, respectively. Clint Wichman is also unopposed in running for Position 5.

Final candidate

Henderson was the final candidate to throw his hat in the ring. He is seeking election in Seaman USD 345.

Henderson, executive director of the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board, has volunteered as PTO president and a site council member at North Fairview Elementary School.

He volunteers on the site council at Northern Hills Junior High, where his two children attend school.

He is vice president of the Sunrise Optimist Club, where he has volunteered with the softball and baseball programs and led the student essay contest.

"I guess the bottom line is, as a district we have great students and great families, and I want to ensure that the quality of education and that the future of education in our district remains solid," said Henderson, 46.

Barbara Hollingsworth can be reached at (785) 295-1285 or barbara.hollingsworth@cjonline.com.