Shape Student Futures: Vote for Independence School Board

0:00It's March 28. This is Kansas News today, AI-powered stories from your city. Four new candidates are running for two open seats on the Independent School District's Board of Education, with voting set for April 7. The district serves 14,000 students across Independence, Sugar Creek, Blue Summit, and part of Kansas City. Incomments decided not to run again, so these winners will be fresh faces on the seven member board. winners will also decide on a $60 million loan to fully renovate three elementary schools and upgrade over 20 other buildings. Last year, folks kept the four day school week with over 60 percent support. Meanwhile, a Missouri bill to cut board terms from six years to three is moving through the house after passing the Senate. The candidates bring different backgrounds. Justin Durham, an architect who sat in on tons of school board meetings, pushes healthy finances and tech programs like HVAC training. Zach Harman McLaughlin from Graceland University wants more community input through town halls

1:02and data sharing. He's got the Teachers Union nod. Jeff Jewel, a fire chief with school security experience, focuses on cameras, training, and officer tech, even after flipping to support the four day. Week. Sarah Wimberly, a pastor from an educator family, prioritizes teacher support, resources for immigrant and unhoused kids, and family voices, she shares the union endorsement, ballot choices like these shaped student futures from safer halls to better facilities, so get out and vote on April 7th to steer the district.