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Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District Director {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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    Paul Coffman
    (N)

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    Lacie Cumberland
    (N)

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    Ruth Johnson
    (N)

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    Patty Phillips
    (N)

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    Christine Sarsfield
    (N)

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    Tommi-Jai Walsh
    (N)

Biographical Information

What are the most important issues facing your district? How would you address them?

Why are you running for school board and what are your qualifications?

If the current state budget does not provide adequate funding for increasing needs, how will you meet the shortfall?

What role should families play in the education of their students? What opportunities do you see for the school district to partner with parents and caregivers towards this end?

How would you address early childhood education needs in your district?

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Incumbent? YES or NO Yes
I believe our most immediate pressing concern is our funding. With all the changes that are being talked about at the state level, we are preparing budgets with most of our funding streams in limbo.
I am passsionate about life. We only get one shot and I want to make it count! I am about helping others learn more about themselves and discovering their niche and pursuing it. I want students to learn what they do and don't like, both are just as improtant. I love when teachers are passoinate about their calling everday and it shows in their classrooms. I see this all the time when I visit buildings. I want others to feel valued and loved. Many of these things happen when in the school arena, teachers and students have what they need and feel empowered to give it their all! I believe a high level functioning board member can help accompllish these things.
Fortunately, our district has good reserves and we can use it to get through a couple of years to see how it all falls out in the legislation and court arenas. Then some tough decisions will need to be made. That can look like cuts in the budget and going to our taxpayers for a levy increase.
It is a joint effort with the driving force coming from the parents. We all must be on the same page so that the student thrives and succeeds to the best of their abilities.
We currently have a good early childhood program but we have a propostion on the April ballot to help update this program. This is an area that always shows improvement to the students when they have access to a great early childhood programming. This can be achieved in the home or in a district facility.
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Campaign Email embugs.grandma@gmail.com
Public Elected Offices Held Cass County Republican Central Committee
Incumbent? YES or NO no
Most important -many of the buildings and support systems are being pushed beyond what they were designed to handled. Aging facilities, transportation demands and maintenance needs all effect the daily experience of students and staff. I believe the district must take proactive, long-range approach facility planning, ensuring that buildings remain safe and functional and aligned with modern learning needs. This including prioritizing maintenance, evaluating capacity and making pressures and making fiscally responsible decision about upgrading or expansions. Academic and Student outcome is another top priority. Student achievement is the heart of mission and ensuring every student has support needed to succeed. I want to focus on strengthening early literacy, support teachers with the tools and training they need, using data to identify where students are struggling so intervention can happen earlier. Improving outcomes requires collaboration among educators, families, and the board.
I am running for Ray-Pec School Board because I care deeply about long term success of our students and the health of our district. Our community deserves thoughtful, steady leadership that listens, ask questions and make decisions based on what is best for students. My background as a Register Dental Hygienist and Cass County Republican Central Committee has prepared me to analyze complex issues, work collaboratively, and approach challenges with a problem-solving mind set. If I do not know the answer, I will gather information to obtain the answer. I want to contribute to a school system that remains strong, transparent and focused on student achievement.
If the state funding does not keep pace with the increasing needs, the district must be disciplined and strategic. I support a balance approach that includes prioritizing essential services reviewing expenditures for efficiency and seeking grants or partnerships that bring additional resources into district. At the same time the board should continue to be advocating at state level for fair and adequate school funding. Responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars is essential, and I am committed to making decisions to protect students and community. We all have budgets to rule our daily lives and school districts must also operate within their budgets.
Role of families are important and essential partnership in student success. When parents, guardians, caregivers are engaged, students benefit and thrive. I believe the district can strengthen this partnership by improving communication, offering more opportunities for families to participate in school activities ad creating clear avenues for feed back. Wheater through family engagements nights, transparent curriculum communication, or better use of digital tools we can build connections that support learning both at school and home
Early Childhood Education lays the foundation for long term academic success. I support efforts to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities, strengthen early literacy skills and promotes a smooth transition into kindergarten. Partnership with community childcare providers and exploring ways to increase capacity can help meet the needs of the family while preparing students for success from the beginning. Ray-Pec School District provides early childhood services primarily through the Shull Early Learning Center, some of the programs are (PAT) Parents As Teachers, Developmental screening, Pre-Kindergarten Programs which uses a board approved curriculum aligned with Missouri Early Learning Standards, Ray-Pec Kindergarten Standards, Early Childhood Research.
Campaign Email tommi.jai.walsh@gmail.com
Campaign Phone 8169141166
Incumbent? YES or NO no
Fairness. Class sizes are unfair across the district. Lunch Times and Plans times are not fairly administrated. Fairness in pay across KC is lacking. Paid Time Off / Sick leave is not fair. They deserve more. Bullying is unfair to our students. Respect for student needs is not all fair and needs addressed. Help those with mental health needs.
I am running for office to bring attention to the unfairness of certain practices. I have been a school social worker for 24 years in Kansas and a child and adult therapist since 1999. I hold multiple advanced degrees of which I used social work as my career.
1. Monetizing Facilities and Assets Facility Rentals: Renting out gymnasiums, auditoriums, and fields during off-hours or summer months for local leagues and events. Advertising & Sponsorships: Placing banners in stadiums, digital ads on school websites, or logos on school-related collateral (e.g., school calendars). Solar Net-Metering: Generating revenue by selling excess power from rooftop solar panels back to utility companies.

2. Corporate Partnerships and Exclusivity Deals Exclusive Provider Contracts: Signing exclusive deals with beverage companies (e.g., Pepsi) or athletic brands (e.g., Nike) for campus-wide use. Branded Spaces: Partnering with companies to fund, install, and maintain equipment, such as branded, healthy vending machines. School-Business Partnerships: Partnering with companies that sponsor lab upgrades in exchange for using the space for client demos.

3. Innovative Fundraising and Grants "Round-Up" Programs: Partnering with with local retailers.
Partnering with families is important. Especially regarding mental health. Making it cost free to be a volunteer would help. Using volunteers during recess and lunch and afterschool clubs is great. Homework should be only for a short review and not hours of work. Families need time to do things together. Parents helping at their kids events is wonderful. Open communication.
Responsive Caregiving: Children need loving, consistent, and warm interactions to feel secure, including talking, reading, and singing to them. Physical Health & Nutrition: Proper nutrition, regular health check-ups, and adequate sleep are foundational. Safety & Stability: A safe, non-toxic environment for exploration, along with routines that provide structure and predictability. Play-Based Learning: Opportunities to explore, move, and engage in play (both indoors and outdoors) to foster brain development, motor skills, and problem-solving. Emotional Support: Validation of feelings, encouragement, and help learning to manage emotions. Social Connections: Opportunities to interact with peers and caregivers to build social skills and self-esteem.