RICHMOND – All four candidates for the two, one-year terms on the school board answered questions about issues and philosophies affecting Richmond School District students and patrons.

The public will cast ballots April 5 for the two candidates whose views best fit what voters want.

Directions asked each candidate to start answers with a “yes” or “no,” so readers would understand the candidate’s thinking. Directions informed candidates an “X” would designate the option not to answer yes or no. Each candidate had a word limit to their answers.

General questions addressed basic information about each candidate and policy questions followed.

The candidates are Ethan Perkinson, Molly Lieberknecht, Jessica McMillan and Karmen Dooley.

BACKGROUND INFO

Give your age, address, marital status, number of children in school, highest grade completed, employer and relevant political experience.

PERKINSON – He is 31, married, has one child and one on the way, holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and works for ExecuPharm.

“Formerly Richmond Planning and Zoning Committee. Seven years government employment as a police officer.”

LIEBERKNECHT – She is 53, married, has a child in the district, holds a bachelor of science in business administration and is the Hilton Kansas City Airport sales director.

“Thirty-year hospitality/hotel veteran working with and managing teams. Mom of three, grandmother of seven, Richmond Middle School vice president of band boosters. … Appointed to a vacancy on the Richmond Board of Education in July.”

McMILLAN – She is 33, married, has two children in school, holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing, is working toward a master’s degree and works for Ray County Memorial Hospital.

“I recently completed a health care policy/advocacy class which has perked my interest in politics.”

DOOLEY – She is 46, married, has two children in school, is a “college graduate” and is self-employed.

“I managed a design team for a printing, mailing and marketing company before starting my freelance business, as well as previously owning a business in the community. … I am currently serving on the BOE as of July 2021.”

This public post pays nothing. Why are you running for office?

PERKINSON – “Being the son of a retired schoolteacher and father of two, I know the importance of a quality public education system and want to do my part to ensure Richmond has the best we can offer.”

LIEBERKNECHT – “I am running for office because I am inspired by how enriched my life has become by being involved in this community, and serving at this level gives me an opportunity to pay this forward to future generations.”

McMILLAN – “I am running for office to help ensure our children are growing up being educated with unbiased curriculum. … Lastly, I am running for school board to help protect the health and safety of our children and to come against Orwellian mandates.”

DOOLEY – “As a lifelong Richmond resident and an alumnus of the district, I am invested in our town and I am passionate about education. I want the best opportunities for the children of our community and I have the time to dedicate to the position.”

POLICY QUESTIONS

Has the board put safety first regarding masks and social distancing?

PERKINSON – Yes. “As it became clear that masks were not effective, they changed mitigation strategies and put mask choice into the parents’ hands, where it should be.”

LIEBERKNECHT – Yes. “The board works very closely with the administration to make sure safety and security of staff and students are top priority while maintaining transparency with parents and the community at-large.”

McMILLAN – Yes. “It is important that our kids stay in school. Studies have shown that children are not the driver of COVID-19. They have also shown that masks are detrimental to their health and a barrier for social development.”

DOOLEY – Yes. “The parents were allowed to chose what was best for their child and the school had proper mitigation processes in place.”

Can you suggest how having five people in the superintendent’s chair in less than three years represents a wellrun school board?

PERKINSON – No. “Having so much turnover in the superintendent seat with little to no information as to why is very concerning for parents. Stable, long-term leadership is important in growing the district.”

LIEBERKNECHT – Yes. “We have a resolute board determined to provide our school district the very best leadership opportunities and are very excited for the future and what will be accomplished.”

McMILLAN – No.

DOOLEY – Yes. “Timing and your candidate pool has a lot to do with securing a good hire.”

Does the district deal fairly with race, religion, gender and sexual orientation?

PERKINSON – Yes. “But if I were on the board, I would listen to any complaint to the contrary and ensure a thorough investigation was completed to determine all facts.”

LIEBERKNECHT – Yes. “The district adheres to all federal, state, local laws and state and local board policies pertaining to race, religion, sexual orientation and gender.”

McMILLAN – “Yes, from the best of my knowledge. This is not an issue I have come across yet.”

DOOLEY – Yes. “The district deals fairly with race, religion, gender and sexual orientation. Policies can always be reviewed and changed if necessary.”

Should the district teach the age-appropriate history of slavery and later ramifications?

PERKINSON – No. “All history should be taught in an age-appropriate and non-biased way. Students should not be able to determine the political affiliation of their teacher through the way they teach history.”

LIEBERKNECHT – Yes. “World history and the American experience should be taught appropriately at all age levels, as there is power in knowledge and from knowledge comes wisdom. Future leaders depend on it.”

McMILLAN – Yes. “I believe it is important that our children know the history.”

DOOLEY – Yes. “All aspects of history should be taught so that we continue to evolve and not repeat it.”

Are employees compensated competitively at all levels, from subs to administrators?

PERKINSON – No. “The empty substitute and teacher positions show we have work to do on paying our educators what they are worth. A comparison pay study, if not already conducted within the last year, is needed.”

LIEBERKNECHT – Yes. “Compensation appears fair in comparison to similar rural counties and school districts within the state of Missouri. Recruitment/retention of our wonderful teachers is essential and should remain a top priority.”

McMILLAN – Yes.

DOOLEY – Yes. “The administration and board have been working to improve compensation to be competitive.”

If state-approved (HB 1804), would elections by designated areas within the district help assure board members come from across the district, rather than, possibly, one area?

PERKINSON – Yes. “Our district is diverse, and we need to ensure the needs of urban and rural students are met equally.”

LIEBERKNECHT – No. “Richmond Schools are located in an intimate community that rallies around their students. Anyone who volunteers to support this mission should be taken seriously, regardless of location within the district.”

McMILLAN – X.

DOOLEY – No. “I believe people who want to be on the board will run, regardless of their area.”

Do you have a plan to improve board service to the public?

PERKINSON – Yes. “My first actions would be to work on having every board meeting live streamed online and streamline the ability for the public to ask questions at board meetings.”

LIEBERKNECHT – Yes. “It is vital that the board integrates with all community stakeholders not to forsake tradition but to encourage innovation. Our most valuable resource is our people.”

McMILLAN – Yes. “I plan to bring a health care perspective that follows peerreviewed, level-one scientific data.”

DOOLEY – Yes. “Continuing to educate myself at a state level in order to support the district at a local level.”