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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Reorganized School District No. 7 (Lee’s Summit) for Director {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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    Regina Garrett
    (N)

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    Kamile Johnson
    (N)

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    Kirsti A. Martin
    (N)

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    Erica Dolores Miller
    (N)

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    Rodrick K. Sparks
    (N)

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    Christopher Thornton (withdrawn)
    (N)

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    Matt Warton
    (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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Campaign Website: http://Drkjforlsr7.com
Campaign Email citizens4kj@gmail.com
Public Elected Offices Held LSR7 School Board Member
Incumbent? YES or NO Yes
Funding is the most important issue facing the district. I plan to address this by voting in favor of Prop C, ensuring we remain fiscally responsible, advocating for legislation that protects public funding for public schools, and not supporting vouchers for private school or school choice which could divert funding from public schools.
I have three years experience as a current sitting school board member. I understand the complexities of LSR7, the largest employer in Lees Summit that includes, finance, curriculum, student services, student and staff safety, facilities management, collaboration with local government and businesses, and state and federal legislation that impacts our schools and kids. I am a leader that listens to all sides and makes thoughtful decisions that support student and staff well-being and safety. Schools are in the business of people taking care of people and I have 15 years experience managing and caring for people outside of school board work. I teach at UMKC School of Pharmacy and have first hand knowledge of working with students and being a a life-long learner.
I voted yes to put Prop C on the ballot for the April 7th election, this is to increase staff salaries. I will also work with the board, the Superintendent and his staff to decrease expenses with minimal impact to students and staff where possible.
Parents/Guardians role includes supporting their children at home so that they are prepared for the school day and advocating for their child while in school. The school can provide resources or point families to resources that create safe and comfortable environments at home. The district should be responsive to parent/guardian concerns. The district should continue to have opportunities for parents to engage with LSR7 through committees, surveys/feedback, PTA, etc. The district should continue to improve on modes of communication with families. This builds trust and allows parents/guardians to make informed decisions.
I encourage the district to continue seeking grants and funding resources to grow the early childhood program. This will increase access and potentially lower the cost to zero, especially for families in need. I would also support growth for the Parents as Teachers program that helps our littlest learners and parents/guardians.
Campaign Email kirstiforlsr7@gmail.com
Campaign Phone 8168302979
Incumbent? YES or NO No
LSR7 is facing important challenges related to enrollment shifts, building discussions, levy conversations, and transportation gaps, and many families feel like decisions are happening around them instead of with them. I would prioritize clear communication, early community involvement, and thorough research before every vote. Protecting neighborhood schools requires proactive enrollment planning rather than reactive decisions. I believe families navigating IEPs, enrollment, and transportation should feel supported, not overwhelmed. Transportation access must be reviewed to ensure fairness and opportunity for all students. Budgeting must remain transparent and accountable, with every dollar clearly tied to student outcomes and long term sustainability.
I am running for school board because I believe families deserve transparency, thoughtful leadership, and decisions that are made with the community, not around them. As a mental health case manager, former child advocate, and mom to a child with special needs, I understand firsthand how district policies impact students and families in real life, especially those navigating special education and support services. As a licensed private investigator, I am trained to analyze information, research issues thoroughly, and ask the hard questions before making decisions or casting a vote. My work has required me to review complex information, document carefully, and stay grounded in facts and accountability. As a parent in LSR7, I am deeply invested in ensuring our schools remain strong, stable, fiscally responsible, and focused on student success for every child.
If the current state budget does not provide adequate funding, the first step is prioritization and transparency. We must clearly identify what is essential to student outcomes and focus on classroom instruction, student support services, and safety first. I would support a detailed review of spending to identify inefficiencies or areas where adjustments can be made without negatively impacting students. Long term forecasting and conservative budgeting are critical to avoid crisis driven decisions. If additional revenue becomes necessary, it should be presented honestly to the community with clear data on how funds will be used and how accountability will be measured.
Families play a central role in the education of their students because they know their children’s strengths, challenges, and needs better than anyone. Parents and caregivers should be active partners, not passive observers. Education is most effective when schools and families work together with open communication, mutual respect, and shared expectations for student success. Families should feel informed, welcomed, and confident asking questions. The district has meaningful opportunities to strengthen these partnerships by improving transparency around curriculum, IEP processes, and policy changes. Clear communication before major decisions, accessible listening sessions, and consistent two way feedback channels can build trust. Schools can also provide parent education resources and better guidance for navigating district systems. When families are truly included and empowered, students benefit academically, socially, and emotionally.
Early childhood education needs in our district center on kindergarten readiness, early literacy, access to quality preschool, and timely identification of developmental delays. We must ensure students enter kindergarten prepared with strong language, social emotional, and foundational reading skills. I would support reviewing readiness data annually to identify gaps and align preschool programs with evidence based literacy practices. Access is also critical, so we should evaluate program capacity, waitlists, and barriers that prevent families from enrolling. Early screening for speech delays and learning differences must be timely so intervention begins before gaps widen. Strong collaboration with families and community providers will help ensure every child, including those with special needs, has the foundation necessary for long term academic success.
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Campaign Website: http://rodsparks.com
Campaign Phone 8162872155
Public Elected Offices Held LSR7 Board of Education
Incumbent? YES or NO NO
First, it is essential that all bond-funded projects are completed on time and within budget. These projects represent a significant commitment from our taxpayers, and the Board has a responsibility to provide clear oversight, regularly review progress, and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.

Second, I would support continued advocacy for public education and local school board authority. Protecting local control helps ensure decisions about Lee’s Summit schools reflect the needs and values of our community and that resources remain focused on students and classrooms.

Finally, I believe school safety requires ongoing, intentional attention. This includes not only physical safety measures, but also fostering school environments where students and staff feel supported, respected, and able to focus on learning. Addressing safety effectively requires thoughtful policy, appropriate resource allocation, and strong partnerships with families and local agencies.
I am seeking a position on the Lee’s Summit Board of Education because this is a critical time for public education and experienced, steady leadership matters. Having previously served on the Board, I understand the responsibility and complexity of the role. I helped oversee complex budgets, supported major staff compensation increases, expanded early childhood programs, and strengthened student voice in board decisions.

Professionally, I work in the title insurance industry, where financial oversight, accountability and risk management are essential. I also bring leadership experience through service in union and community organizations. As a parent and longtime youth mentor, I care deeply about our students, educators, and families. I am ready to serve again with clarity, experience and a strong commitment to strengthening our public schools. Lastly,I have earned the highest level of board certification through the Missouri School Boards’ Association.
If the state budget does not provide adequate funding, I would prioritize protecting classroom instruction and essential student services first. We would need to carefully review spending, improve efficiencies where possible and delay or reduce non-essential expenses. I would also advocate aggressively for additional funding while working with the community to explore responsible local solutions. Any decisions would be made transparently, with a focus on minimizing the impact on students and staff.
Families should play a vital role in their students’ education. They are a child’s first teachers and strongest advocates, and their involvement directly supports academic success, attendance, and overall well-being. Schools are most effective when families and educators work as partners with shared expectations and open communication.

The district can strengthen this partnership by improving consistent, two-way communication, offering parent education workshops, creating meaningful volunteer and advisory opportunities, and ensuring families feel welcomed and heard. By building trust and maintaining transparency, we can create a strong home–school connection that supports every student’s success.
Early childhood education is one of the most important investments we can make in student success. During my first term on the board, we expanded full-day early childhood classes for four-year-olds at no cost to families, increasing access and helping more students enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Moving forward, I would continue to prioritize early learning by protecting and expanding access to high-quality early childhood programs, supporting strong literacy foundations, and ensuring we have well-trained educators in those classrooms. I would also seek partnerships and funding opportunities to sustain and grow these programs. When we invest early, we set students up for long-term academic and social success.
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