Students to Host School Board Candidate Forum

Kearney School District residents have an opportunity to learn more about this year’s Board of Education candidates during a public forum hosted by student leaders from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 in the auditorium at Kearney High School.

This public forum is being sponsored by the school’s Student Advisory Board, Student Council and National Honor Society. Kearney High School seniors Jacob Dillon and Emmy Gates will emcee the event. The school is located at 715 E. 19th St. in Kearney.

Voters will make their selections to fill two spots on the school board during the April 8, 2025, municipal election. Those positions are currently held by John Kern and Meredith Cole, neither of whom are seeking reelection.

All four school board candidates have been invited to participate in the high school’s public forum:

• Christina Lindsay

• Michael Joe Hickey

• Justin Paul Cook

• Jason Klindt

At the public forum, the candidates will be given a brief opportunity to introduce themselves and then the moderators will ask questions submitted by their fellow students. The candidates will be given an equal amount of time to respond to each question. The questions will not be shared ahead of time.

In Missouri, school boards are composed of seven non-partisan, volunteer elected officials who each serve three-year terms. The primary job of the school board is to employ the superintendent and set the strategic goals and policies for the district, according to the Missouri School Board Association (MSBA). The board’s other roles include facilitate public engagement in order to help meet stakeholder expectations, oversee the Superintendent of Schools, who in turn is solely responsible for district management and operations, monitor district progress toward meeting the Board goals, and govern itself effectively, efficiently and with transparency.

Residents must be registered by Wednesday, March 12 in order to cast their votes in the April 8 election. Visit the Missouri Secretary of State’s website for more information.

KPGZ News – Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

School Board Hosting Info Session for Candidates

Kearney School District’s Board of Education will be hosting an informational session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 at the central office for individuals who are interested in running as candidates for the Board in the April 2025 municipal election.

All members of the public are welcome to attend. Please inform BOE Secretary Becky Burkemper by emailing burkemperb@ksdr1.net or calling (816) 628-4116 before the close of business on Monday, Nov. 11 if you plan to attend.

This session is designed to provide useful guidance for those who may want to serve on the school board. Topics will include information about board elections and the roles and responsibilities of the school board members.

Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins on Dec. 10 and ends on Dec. 31, 2024, for the municipal election that will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Visit the Missouri Secretary of State’s website to learn more.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

Masters Honored with Hometown Hero Award

The public education team at Kearney School District has long recognized that Lead Social Worker Meeghan Masters is extraordinary; now that distinction is being recognized by a prominent organization that focuses on supporting families across the nation.

Meeghan Masters with Nic Vasquez

Modern Woodmen of America has selected Mrs. Masters for its Hometown Hero Award. The honor was announced by Modern Woodmen Financial Representative Nicolas Vasquez during a surprise event with dozens of her family members, co-workers and friends yesterday afternoon at the KSD central office.

“Since I started working as a social worker for KSD, I’ve made it my mission to help ensure that every child can have the same kind of experiences and opportunities at school as my children have,” Masters said. “I’m so grateful to Modern Woodmen for this award because it affirms and supports that mission that we are all trying to achieve as a team. This is amazing.”

Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services society headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois. The society’s Hometown Hero program provides an opportunity to honor an individual or volunteer group for their outstanding service to the community or an act of bravery. The award aligns with the organization’s commitment to support social, educational and volunteer activities that identify and meet local needs.

“I cannot think of a person in our Bulldog community who is more deserving of this award,” said Mr. Vasquez, who also serves as a member of the KSD Board of Education. “Meeghan embodies the true spirit of selfless service that is an example for us all.”

As part of the award, Modern Woodmen will make a $100 charitable donation to the organization or deserving individual of Masters’ choice.

Masters became KSD’s first social worker in October 2015. Since then, the program has expanded to include two other full-time social workers and her elevation as leader of that team.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

School District Invites Community to Boundary Process Open House

Kearney School District will be hosting an informational open house for members of the public as part of the Elementary School Boundary Process from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28; the location will be announced as details are finalized.

Kearney School District is in the process of evaluating the attendance boundaries for each elementary school this fall in order to help ensure that we operate effectively and efficiently with our resources. This process was initiated in September as the district’s Prop B bond capital improvement projects near completion and with new residential developments planned.

The open house will be an opportunity for KSD parents/guardians, employees and community members to:

- Review the proposed changes to KSD's elementary school attendance boundaries

- Talk about the proposals with members of the Elementary School Boundary Team

- Provide your feedback before the process is finalized

This process is likely to impact at least some of KSD stakeholders. Before any major boundary changes, the district is first allowing key stakeholders to ask questions, express concerns and provide their insights during the Elementary School Boundary Team meetings.

The Elementary School Boundary Team is currently reviewing demographic factors like projected enrollment growth and new residential developments, establishing decision-making criteria and generating proposed boundary options. Over the next several weeks, the team will engage the community to seek feedback, refine its recommendations, and eventually present a plan for approval by our Board of Education.

The team is comprised of 17 parents/guardians with children enrolled in Kearney School District. That group includes four KSD employees. They were selected by an administrative steering committee after completing an interest form.

Community members are encouraged to visit www.bit.ly/ksd-boundary-process for more information and updates as the process continues.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.

School District Seeks Public Input with Annual Survey

Kearney School District parents/guardians, students, employees and community members have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback by completing the 2024 KSD Annual Survey.

“Responsive Leadership & Community Engagement” is one of the four central pillars of the district’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan. The annual survey is one of the most important methods used by the district to fulfill the goals included in that plan, according to Superintendent Emily Miller.

Dr. Emily Miller

“We must facilitate stakeholder engagement and empower student voices if we are going to achieve our mission to provide exemplary educational experiences in a safe and supportive learning environment,” Dr. Miller said. “The responses we get from this survey will help us achieve that goal.”

This survey will be active until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18. All survey submissions will be kept anonymous.

The results will be compiled and analyzed by district administrators and then shared with the Board of Education and stakeholders. An executive summary with key insights will be posted this winter on the Kearney School District website.

Visit ksdr1.net/survey for a link to complete this year’s annual survey.

Ray Weikal contributed to this story.