2022 Board Candidates

Cory Terrell
7802 N Dalton Ct
Kansas City, MO 64151
816-509-6105

 

 

 

About the candidate

My name is Cory Terrell.  I'm a father to 4 kids.  Of the four, one graduated from Park Hill in 2020 and we currently have a sophomore daughter at Park Hill.  I've spent the last 20 years of my life working for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a Deportation officer and I'm married to my soulmate and forever love.  Our daughter starts on the varsity girls basketball team and we love attending her games and watching the kids grow and learn the game.  

Why They Are running for the Park Hill Board of Education

I am running for school board to give parents a voice in board decisions again.  We have a fantastic district and wonderful students who want better tools to prepare them for the rest of their lives.  As a parent, I'm proud of our schools but there is work to be done to become better.

issues They think most need the Board’s attention

I believe our greatest challenges as a district are upgrading our current schools to provide our students a safe, comfortable environment to learn in.  Some of our facilities are drastically out of date and require our attention.  We need to move away from race based teachings and get back to the basics of education in a classical sense, such as Aristotle, Plato and Socrates.  Additionally, our budget process needs to be more transparent so that the public can see and understand what our school can do and what it can afford.  

Tammy Thompson
4435 NW 64th Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64151
816-392-7135

 

 

 

About the candidate

I am a long-term resident of Platte County.  I attended the Park Hill school district until 7th grade and then graduated from North Platte High School.  I am a graduate of the University Of Missouri- Kansas City School Of Pharmacy.   I have spent the majority of my career as the Pharmacy Manager at the Kmart Pharmacy on Prairie View Road.   I loved being able to interact and serve the community as a pharmacist.  In 2016, I left Kmart to work for OptumRx as a Home Delivery Pharmacist and have recently changed roles to a Clinical Pharmacist.  

Along with my husband of 28 years, Timothy, we have raised 2 children that are 3rd generation Park Hill graduates.  Madison graduated in 2015 and this past fall graduated from Columbia College with a BS in Business Administration and has started her career as a nurse recruiter.  Nathan graduated in 2020.  He took advantage of the A+ program and attended Maple Woods until this last semester.  He just recently left for Basic Training for the Air Force Reserves.  When he is done with his training for the reserves, he plans to attend University of Central Missouri.  During their school years I was Madison’s Girl Scout leader, a member of the PTA and was a room parent.  

Why They Are running for the Park Hill Board of Education

I am running for School Board because I feel it is important to give back to the community and to be a voice for those who are unable to do so.  I was not able to run for school board when my children were in school.  My schedule as a retail pharmacist and 2 children in activities did not allow me the time to devote to this important position.  I know there are parents that are like I was, working full time and trying to be a good parent.   Wanting to be involved, but not having the time it takes to devote to keep Park Hill School District a place where children can receive a quality education.   I appreciate those who have made those commitments, when I was unable to.  I want to have a part in not only keeping Park Hill a top school district in the state but also improving upon it.  Although, I no longer have children attending school, it is important that our community is able to offer quality education for our children.  As we have learned, local elections matter and with Todd Fane and Susan Newberger stepping down from the Board, it is important to replace them with equally effective leadership, I believe I can fill that role. 

issues They think most need the Board’s attention

Currently, the most pressing issue is keeping school in person. Gaps in learning that may have occurred during this 2 yearlong pandemic will need to be addressed. 

Long term, as a growing county that will bring new families into the district, the Board will have to address increasing enrollment and changes in the demographics.   The Board will need to ensure that all students will have the tools needed to learn and thrive.   The pandemic has also brought to the forefront challenges across the state to public education. School choice is a hot topic right now in the state legislatures.   It is important that the Board stays abreast with the legislation that is being proposed and keep an open dialogue with the District’s State Representatives and State Senator, to ensure that proposed legislation does not impair public education negatively. 

Daryl Terwilleger
2915 NW 59th Street
Kansas City, MO 64151
816-695-7034

 

 

 

About the candidate

I am a Kansas City native and Winnetonka High School graduate. I received my Bachelor’s Degree and MBA from UMKC, and worked in Project Management at Cerner Corporation. After 12 years in a corporate environment, I Ieft the workforce to become a full-time stay-at-home dad, driven by my desire to become more active in the community and maximize quality time with family. My involvement in the Park Hill district includes serving as the Southeast PTA VP of Membership for four years, completing improvement projects for teacher classrooms, and volunteering at multiple PTA-sponsored events. I was also recently nominated for and completed the Park Hill Partners program, where I learned in-depth information about the district from an academic, financial, and human resources perspective. I have volunteered in the community as a Cub Scout den leader for four years and as a YMCA youth sports coach. My wife, Mary, and I have been married for 15 years and have two children in the Park Hill School District. Bennett is a 6th grader at Walden Middle School and Evelyn is a 4th grader at Southeast Elementary.

Why They Are running for the Park Hill Board of Education

I am running for Park Hill School Board because I deeply believe in the connection between strong, well-funded, safe public schools and the strong community that supports those schools. I am passionate about ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed. When we focus on the success of all students, all other stakeholders and functions in our district will also succeed. I have spent the last five years volunteering to help strengthen our community and our Park Hill schools. It would be an honor to serve our community as a school board member.

issues They think most need the Board’s attention

Some of the most important issues facing the School Board include:

• Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity Efforts - Every student should have a sense of belonging and feel safe in Park Hill schools. This should happen regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or any other lived experience that makes a student unique. I am encouraged by the steps Park Hill has taken to prioritize this initiative and look forward to the opportunity to help drive it forward.
• Take Care of our Teachers - We cannot succeed without good teachers, and teachers cannot succeed without the support they need. It is important that Park Hill is a place where we recruit, hire, and retain a diverse group of teachers. Teacher burnout is a critical issue nationwide, and I want to make sure Park Hill is doing everything we can to support our teachers.
• Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) - The CSIP is a five-year roadmap that
  defines goals and measurements for the district. It is designed to ensure all students graduate
  career or college ready and have had access to topnotch learning opportunities, designed to
  meet their unique needs. It's important that as we carry out our existing CSIP, and develop our
  2024-2029 CSIP, the School Board continues to review progress to ensure that Park Hill is
  meeting our goals, while staying true to the district's core values and mission.
• Invest in Infrastructure - Students, teachers, and staff are most successful in good quality
  facilities. The School Board must continue to use our taxpayers' money responsibly by listening
  to community feedback and investing in both new and existing facilities. Equity across all of our
  buildings and facilities is essential in maintaining the high standards for which Park Hill is
  known.

Jason Keck
8624 N. Utica Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64153
816-863-7002

 

 

 

About the candidate

Thank you for your time and consideration in allowing me to be your 2022 Park Hill School Board Candidate. I am ingrained in the Park Hill School District and have been for 35 plus years as a student-athlete and graduate first and then as a coach and mentor.  Later, through my  recognized educational, professional and volunteer efforts within the district, I was nominated and inducted into the Park Hill District Hall of Fame.  More recently, I have engaged as a project manager for the Park Hill Professional Studies Program via my own law practice by providing internship opportunities for aspiring Park Hill students.  As a licensed attorney in four states, I am a candidate that understands how to spot issues, analyze and use critical thinking to determine viable solutions across a wide area of subject matters and then how to make tough, educated decisions that are also financially responsible.

I am a resident of the Park Hill School District and the proud parent to my son, Cael, who is a senior all-state student-athlete and on the honor roll at Park Hill High School.  I am highly involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and also head a youth sports organization named Greater Heights Wrestling.  Many of the athletes that I have coached and continue to work with have found great success at both of the Park Hill High School programs not only as competitors on the mat, but also in the classroom possessing high character traits.  My sister, Jennifer Steele is a special education teacher in the Park Hill School District.  My nephew, Joshua Steele is one of the current varsity Park Hill High School wrestling coaches and who also substitutes regularly in the district.  I remain dedicated to the Park Hill School District and its community and would be honored to be a member of the Park Hill School Board.                  

Why They Are running for the Park Hill Board of Education

I am running for the Park Hill Board of Education because I feel like I can make a positive difference in the lives of our students, teachers, administrators, staff and the community as a whole.  I have a passion for education and for those tied to it - especially those who have also made a concentrated effort to work hard to better equip our students will the necessary framework, skills, temperament and compassion to be successful in whatever they do in the workforce and whoever they become in being productive members of society. Having a desire to take on pressing, sometimes difficult, issues and to bring about competent resolutions in a timely manner are also why I am running for the board.  I have a calling to be a significant contributor to ensure Park Hill School District remains one of the top districts not only in the state but in the country.    

issues They think most need the Board’s attention

Issues that need the Board's attention include but are not limited to the following:

1. Current Tax Bond Issue 
   -including necessary facility upgrades and expansion
2. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in the District
   -each individual must have an opportunity for success regardless of their socio-economical background, race, gender, sexual preference or religious beliefs and students and staff must feel good about coming to school
3. Social, Emotional and Brain-Based Learning Practices 
   -how is the district staying abreast of the most innovating teaching and learning practices and are we setting our students up for success no matter their path after high school which may include additional education through college, joining the military, or learning a skilled trade    
4. The Current and Future Learning Environments with Covid-19 and Other Potential Contagious Virus/Disease Types
   -the importance of protecting our students, teachers and staff members while assuring the ability of students to learn in a manner that promotes their mental health and social well-being as well as protecting our civil liberties
5. Special Education and Mental Health 
   -how is the Park Hill School District handling a rise in the need for these educational and counseling services for its students and what are we doing as a district to equip teachers, staff members and parents along the way in this challenging educational journey  

Shereka Barnes
6112 N Harden Ct
Kansas City, MO 64151
816-612-6803

 

 

 

About the candidate

Shereka Barnes was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and has spent 30 years of her life in the Park Hill School District—first as a student who graduated in 1992 from Park Hill High School, and then as a single mom of two students. Her youngest graduated in 2020 from Park Hill High School, and both of her daughters are now earning their college degrees. 

While her girls were in school, Shereka was lucky enough to be an involved parent: volunteering for school events, participating in the PTA, and serving as Vice President of the Park Hill Band Backers. 

She chose to run for school board in 2022 because she still has many family members who attend school in the district, and she cares about the future of all students. Her primary areas of focus include Responsible & Equitable Infrastructure, Leadership & Discipline Transparency, Ensuring Students are Prepared for Life, and Supporting a Diverse Staff & Curriculum. 

“Like many parents, I've watched our district expand and develop much-needed new schools,” she said. “But I've also seen our older buildings and facilities get left behind, and suffer at the expense of poor planning. We need a more disciplined and fiscally responsible approach for how we will tackle the significant renovations that are long overdue in our older facilities. We also need to be equipped for the anticipated growth in early childhood learning needs and population expansion in the western part of our district.”

Additionally, she believes that the equitable investment, support and funding of extracurricular activities can be significantly improved—as well as the access for all interested students to be able to participate or get involved.

Shereka believes successfully preparing our students for the next stage in their lives—whether it be the following grade level, graduation, trade school, workforce, public service or college—is the single most important job of the schools. For some students, high school is the final stop in their standardized education journey. She thinks we need to better prepare graduates—not only academically, but also to become accountable, self-sufficient and culturally adept citizens who are equipped for real-life challenges. To that end, she is also focused on supporting the development of a diverse staff, leadership and curriculum. 

“All students — not just students of color — benefit when they have access to diverse teachers, staff and leadership. This results in better test scores, improved graduation rates and better academic performances. Similarly, our students are better prepared when they have access to voices across many cultures and life experiences in our curriculum. While our student population has grown more diverse since I attended as a student, not much has changed for our teachers and leadership. And our students, who will be entering a global economy and diverse jobs, need to be prepared for how to succeed as they work alongside those from other cultures, backgrounds and countries.”

She is also focused on improving transparency and communication from the board to the community and parents. 

Her professional background is in both education and healthcare, and she currently works as a supervisor for three Urgent Care clinic locations in the KC area. She is also a member of Suburban Balance and SURJ-Kansas City. 

As a former educator herself, Shereka understands how critical it is to reach all students in the classroom. Additionally, she also believes teachers and staff deserve a healthy, safe workplace where they can thrive and do what they love, while being supported and compensated for their hard work. She remains committed to ensuring our district is prepared for the challenges it faces today and in the future. 

“We have amazing parents and an involved community — we have so much potential to be better, and not simply rest on our accomplishments of the past, but move forward together, creating an environment where our students, staff and teachers thrive.” 

Jeff Runyan
7614 NW 69th Terrace
Kansas City, MO 64152
816-824-5167

 

 

 

About the candidate

My name is Jeff Runyan.  I am conservative in my values, and I employ common sense in my decisions. I attended Union Chapel Elementary from Kindergarten to 6th grade.  In 7th grade, I attended Park Hill Junior High (now Plaza Middle School).  In 8th grade, I attended Lakeview Middle School.  I then graduated from Park Hill High School in 1994 as one of twelve valedictorians.  My wife and I currently have all five of our children attending schools in the Park Hill School District; one in elementary school, two in middle school, and two in high school.  I am completely vested in the well-being of our school district.

Why They Are running for the Park Hill Board of Education

I am running for the Park Hill Board of Education to combat the absolute apathy that I have seen from the majority of the current Board for the well-being of the students.  I am running to stop the attitude of going along to get along without regard for what the students, our children, have to endure.  I am running to remove politics and blind obedience to the cult of modern media from our district.  I am running to reestablish the Park Hill School District as the premiere school district in the Kansas City area.

issues They think most need the Board’s attention

I believe that the Board needs to recognize the right of parents to be heard and to once again be in their children's schools and involved in all they do.  I believe the district budget and facilities should favor the students, teachers, and parents over the administration, e.g., Park Hill South needs its own stadium, and Park Hill needs a new weight room.  In short, I believe the Park Hill School District needs a major course correction in the form of a Board of Education that seeks not for power, but instead seeks the well-being and happiness of our children, students, and teachers.

Christopher LaCour
925 NW Valley Lane
Riverside, MO 64150
203-815-6926

The candidate has not yet responded.

Kelli Johnson
8811 N Hull Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64154
816-547-5495

 

 

 

 

About the candidate

Kelli Johnson is running for the Park Hill School District Board of Education because she is passionate and purposeful about doing what is best for all of our students and teachers. As a mother of two Park Hill students (third grader at Tiffany Ridge Elementary and sixth grader at Plaza Middle), she has seen first-hand how critical it is for the school board to make decisions that go deeper than currently trending issues. Over the past 20 years, Kelli has worked professionally in various social work positions. Her current work as a case manager focuses heavily on education advocacy all over the KC metro area. 

Kelli graduated from William Jewell College with a bachelor of arts in psychology, which included a significant elementary education course load. Most recently, she participated in the Park Hill Parent Partners program, which gave her insight into the inner workings of the schools at a district level. Kelli also is a graduate of the Missouri Partners in Policy Making Leadership Training Program hosted by the Missouri Developmental Council. She and her husband, Ryan, relocated to the Park Hill School District three years ago and have been married 12 years. They have two children, a 9 year old son and an 11 year old daughter.

issues They think most need the Board’s attention

I think it is important for the school board and district level administration to be in tune with what is happening in the school buildings. We can’t let policy and power come at the expense of what is best for ALL the students and teachers. The school board needs to be aware that the dynamic of the district is changing; what worked decades ago isn’t necessarily going to be as effective today. We should be taking a whole person approach to our students. We must focus on what is best for our students physically, socially, mentally and emotionally. Tackling issues regarding safety is crucial – including current COVID-related health and safety issues, the security and adaptability of physical environments, along with efforts to curb bullying. There is work to be done to foster an environment of inclusion for everyone struggling with racial, socio-economic and/or disability-related obstacles. 

I am passionate and purposeful about finding solutions to these issues because they are the foundation of propelling Park Hill into a well rounded amazing school district where everyone has what they need to thrive.