Betty Arnold is running for another term on the state school board, but Army veteran Jason Carmichael is trying to take her place. 

Republicans have won this seat three times in the past five elections. 

Election day is Nov. 5, Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote and early voting starts Oct. 16. You can find your polling place and the races you vote in here. 

Who are the candidates for District 8? 

Democrat Betty Arnold (Incumbent) 

Arnold’s first term on the State Board of Education started in 2021. She previously spent 10 years on the Wichita Board of Education, where she was president and vice president. 

“Serving in the role of an officer highlights my leadership skills and certainly draws attention to the confidence in my integrity that was expressed by my fellow board members in selecting me for multiple terms,” she said. 

She’s been the chair of the Sedgwick County Democratic Party and a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. She’s also on the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee and Migrant Education Program Committee and is co-chair of the Kansas School Mental Health Advisory Council. 

She is endorsed by the Kansas National Education Association and Game On for Kansas Schools. 

Arnold’s campaign Facebook page is here. 

Republican Jason Carmichael 

Carmichael served in the U.S. Army for over nine years. He studied at the University of Texas San Antonio and has a bachelor’s degree in finance in real estate and an MBA in health care from Wichita State University, a KSNT article from a past election said. 

He’s also worked for Boeing. 

His campaign website is here. 

What is the first thing you’d do in office if elected? 

Arnold: I would continue to address and prioritize the need to mitigate the polarization that has occurred regarding public education. Most parents want a quality education for their children in a safe and positive environment. Most businesses want the assurance of a qualified workforce.  Most community members want the comfort of knowing that the last and least of students are provided for. I believe the disconnect has occurred because all stakeholders are not seated at the table and do not share equally in the decisions that impact student success. We need to strengthen the presence of (the) public in public education.

Carmichael: Carmichael didn’t respond to the questionnaire. His Facebook page said, “the ‘vision’ of the Kansas Board of Education is way out of date. It’s time for a new vision. My goals are to change the food served, demand physical fitness, and enforce individual academic achievement. Nutrition, physical fitness, and personal academic achievement.”

How can the State Board of Education better support students who are falling behind? 

Arnold: A solution cannot be garnered without knowing the factors that are contributing to the student lagging behind. Variables have been identified as causal, but until real family engagement occurs that is designed and individualized to meet specific needs, support will remain as one size fits all.

Carmichael: Carmichael didn’t respond to the questionnaire. He said in a 2023 election questionnaire by KSNT that a lack of motivation is the largest obstacle to student success. 

“There are dozens of mentorship groups all throughout Wichita,” he said in 2023. “These groups have to have easier access. Mentors give motivation to students to want to be better.”

What role should the Kansas Board of Education play in LGBTQ issues? 

Arnold: The mission statement adopted by the State Board of Education makes no distinction and operates on the foundation of equality. This can be strengthened by adding all protected classes to non-discrimination.

Carmichael: Carmichael didn’t respond to the questionnaire. He didn’t talk about LGBTQ+ students specifically.

KSNT asked him in 2023 about culturally inclusive and racially diverse education. He said districts need to “talk about it, recognize our differences and accept people for who they are. Study the Pledge of Allegiance and focus on the very last word.”

How can the State Board of Education support teachers? 

Arnold: Teachers are (the) backbone of the educational institution and deserve not only the respect of that fact but the compensation as well.

Carmichael: Carmichael didn’t respond to the questionnaire. 

Do you think Kansas schools have quality curriculum? Why or why not? 

Arnold: Yes, however curriculum often has to be reviewed to ensure that it remains current with the changes of industry needs and technology advances that occur.

Carmichael: Carmichael didn’t respond to the questionnaire. 

Is there an issue/question that you weren’t asked that you want to talk about? 

Arnold: It is important to gain an understanding of how an elected official will represent their constituents. Will they show up, will they speak up, will they heed the will of their constituents, will they get political amnesia? There are indicators for every candidate of what the voting public can expect based on at least the level of involvement from past activities.
Carmichael: Carmichael didn’t respond to the questionnaire.