Oct. 6, 2025 update: This post was updated to add information about Lucy Rumsey DeWitt’s qualifications.
Most of the school board candidates for Unified School District 232 in De Soto think family involvement is ideal if students ask to go by a name not on their school records.
But some candidates described exceptions, such as when a child wants to use a nickname or if they’re afraid of disclosing to their parents. And others said teachers should always use children’s preferred names and pronouns or be free to make their own decisions.
On Nov. 4, residents of the school district — which covers not only De Soto but parts of Shawnee, Lenexa, Olathe and unincorporated Johnson County — will see six candidates on their ballot.
For the Member 4 position, newcomers Lucy Rumsey DeWitt and Nancy Moneymaker will face off. For the Member 5 position, incumbent Calley Malloy faces challenger Christian Amend. For the Member 6 position, incumbent Brandi Jonasson faces challenger TJ Finan.
All of the candidates responded to at least part of a Beacon survey about their positions and priorities, but Moneymaker and Malloy skipped the multiple-choice questions.
Moneymaker said “usually the choices did not quite represent what I was thinking” on the multiple-choice options. Malloy said she felt “limited by the format” because “the multiple-choice structure made it difficult for me to fully express my perspective, and I was concerned that my responses could be taken out of context.”
Jonasson also skipped a single multiple-choice because she said none of the options “seem to fit what I believe.”
Responses have been edited for clarity, grammar and AP style. Most of Malloy’s responses and one of Jonasson’s were edited for length because they exceeded the word limits given to candidates.
Here’s where the candidates stand on issues such as school budgets, vaccines and what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents show up at a school.
Click on a link to jump to a section of the questionnaire:
- School spending
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in schools
- Teacher pay
- Vaccination policies
- Transgender students
- Technology in school
- What are the three biggest challenges that your school district is facing?
- Name up to three specific things you would do on the board to address the most important issues facing the district.
Meet the candidates
Member 4
Lucy Rumsey DeWitt
Occupation: Homemaker
Background and qualifications: De Soto graduate 2011, bachelor of arts from Baker University and parent of a child in the district.
Campaign website: Lucyfordesoto.com
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/share/162tcs4Npm/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Favorite school event: Football games
Nancy Moneymaker
Background and qualifications: My qualifications have included teaching at all levels of student learning and in many varying subjects. In 1996 I organized and started an academy for elementary grades that emphasized history and science. It is still a thriving academy today.
Campaign website: NancyMoneymaker.com
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579378706782
Member 5
Calley Malloy (incumbent)
Occupation: Director of program development for Minds Matter. We provide rehabilitative support to individuals with brain injury.
Background and qualifications: I am the incumbent and spent the last four years on the board. I have an extensive health care background and a strong commitment to public education. I am a parent to two USD 232 students and the daughter of a public school teacher.
Campaign website: www.calleymalloy.com
Social media: https://facebook.com/malloyfordesotoschoolboard
Favorite school event: Convocation. It’s time to meet all the new teachers/staff and welcome back the current teachers, staff, principals and administration after summer.
Christian Amend
Occupation: Self-employed, I own an inspection company and school, Kansas City Inspection University.
Background and qualifications: I am a professional engineer licensed in Kansas and Missouri, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, USAF veteran.
Campaign website: christianamend.com
Favorite school event: Football
Member 6
Brandi Jonasson (incumbent)
Occupation: Owner, project manager — Lure Creative Digital Marketing
Campaign website: brandiforusd232.com
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/BrandiForUSD232
Favorite school event: Homecoming parade, Read Across America, Relay for Life
TJ Finan
Occupation: Intensive needs specialist at St. James Academy
Background and qualifications: I have worked in education for 13 years. Was a football, basketball and baseball coach at Mill Valley High School. I have a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and a master’s degree from Pittsburg State University.
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1252298790022360/
Favorite school event: All athletic events
Multiple-choice questions
School spending
In my district…
- We’re spending too little on schools, at the expense of students.
- We’re spending too much on schools, at the expense of taxpayers.
- We’ve struck the right balance on taxes and school spending.
DeWitt: De Soto is paying off a bond five years early, saving taxpayers over $1 million.
Moneymaker: We need to analyze the budget for fiscal responsibility to pay teachers more and fully fund special education.
Malloy: USD 232 has demonstrated strong financial stewardship of taxpayer dollars, maintaining the same mill rate since before 1993. However, challenges arise when special education is not funded at its mandated 92% level. The district is forced to shift spending from the general fund.
Amend: We need to manage the budget responsibly.
Jonasson: In our district we work to maximize our local tax dollars to ensure the greatest benefit for our students. We still need the Kansas Legislature to fully fund special education.
Finan: Our school uses resources efficiently, maintaining quality education and being transparent with the community about where funds go.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in schools
If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials show up at a school, my district should…
- Cooperate as much as possible without getting into legal trouble.
- Cooperate as little as possible without getting into legal trouble.
- Other (please explain)
DeWitt: Schools are a safe place for children. It is our job to protect them from undue harm and ensure they feel protected.
Moneymaker: Stay within the law.
Malloy: The district has protocol in place. If such a situation arises, no one is to be let into the building until district administrators are on site. At that point, we will consult with our legal counsel. Our social workers, counselors and staff will work closely with the student.
Jonasson: We abide by district policy. The principal of the school will contact district leadership who will review any provided documents with our security team and attorney.
Finan: I believe that cooperation can be done respectfully and within legal boundaries, protecting both the school and its students. It’s important to handle such situations carefully to maintain trust and safety in our community.
Teacher pay
Teachers in my district…
- Need a significant pay raise.
- Are paid too much already.
- Are making about the right amount.
DeWitt: Teachers and paras are not paid nearly enough for all the work they do and the energy they give to students.
Moneymaker: Teachers should be paid as market executives are.
Malloy: I am proud of the raises we have been able to provide to our teachers and staff during my four years on the board. I am also proud that our teacher pay compares or is equal to the other Johnson County districts. There is always more work to be done when it comes to teacher salaries.
Jonasson: I will always advocate for teachers and staff to get pay increases. We have voted every year to increase pay.
Finan: Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future of all students. Many work beyond school hours, often using their own money for classroom supplies. Fair pay would recognize their dedication and help attract and retain high-quality educators.
Vaccination policies
My school district…
- Is strict about students receiving required vaccines, and should stay that way.
- Is strict about students receiving required vaccines, and should be more flexible.
- Is flexible about students receiving required vaccines, and should be more strict.
- Is flexible about students receiving required vaccines, and should stay that way.
- I don’t know my school district’s vaccine policies.
DeWitt: Science is clear that vaccines save lives.
Moneymaker: I don’t know the district’s current vaccine policies.
Malloy: Kansas Department of Health and Environment set the school immunization requirement. Kansas law mandates that children must be vaccinated against certain diseases before attending school. Kansas law allows for medical, religious and personal belief exemptions to school immunization requirements.
Jonasson: We follow the requirements the Kansas Department of Health and Environment set which is Kansas law K.S.A. 72-6261 and K.A.R. 28-1-20.
Finan: Clear vaccine policies help keep students safe, but it’s also important to consider individual medical circumstances.
Transgender students
If a student under 18 years old requests that a teacher call them by a name and/or pronouns that don’t correspond to their gender assigned at birth, the teacher should:
- Always agree.
- Agree only with parental permission.
- Never agree.
- Be free to decide whether to agree, based on personal beliefs.
DeWitt: School is a safe place and they should feel free to express themselves in a way that feels comfortable and conducive to learning.
Moneymaker: As a parent, I would want to know. So I would want to extend that common courtesy to other parents.
Malloy: Our district protocol allows students to be called by a preferred nickname. Any formal change to a student’s name on school records requires parental consent. Staff work closely with the family and the student to create an environment where learning can continue uninterrupted and the student feels safe.
Jonasson: The teacher should refer the student to the counselor. Parents should be informed. If the student expresses that they do not feel safe sharing this information with their parents, the student could then choose to go by the name on record or their last name.
Finan: Parents should be involved in important aspects of their child’s life. Decisions about names and pronouns have a significant impact on students, and schools should respect the role of parents in guiding their children.
Technology in school
My school district:
- Doesn’t do enough to prevent harmful and distracting uses of technology in school.
- Is too restrictive about how new technologies are used in school.
- Neither.
DeWitt: There are safeguards in place to monitor internet activity and access to websites.
Moneymaker: Classroom teachers know their students and in my opinion are the best people to weigh in on this question.
Malloy: I trust our teachers are successfully keeping students engaged in learning while thoughtfully incorporating the benefits of technology. It’s important that we prepare our students for a world increasingly shaped by technology. As a parent, I’ve been very pleased to see new learning apps recommended.
Short answer questions
What are the three biggest challenges that your school district is facing?
DeWitt: Teacher shortage, teacher pay, fully funding special education.
Moneymaker: 1. Student achievement.
2. Empower teachers with excellent curriculum, resources and funding.
3. Budget with responsible fiscal policies while considering the expanding future enrollment.
Malloy: I believe some of the biggest challenges are:
- Uncertainty in the funding formula. The current formula sunsets July 1, 2027. Uncertainty in the formula will allow for discrepancies or uncertainty in our budget for the upcoming year.
- Attracting and retaining educators.
- Growth in our area and preparing for that growth with teachers, staff and buildings.
Amend: Training for labor industries.
Jonasson: Lack of special education funding. Hiring and retaining qualified, dedicated teachers. Improving and expanding real-world learning opportunities for students.
Finan: Student-related issues/funding and resources/staffing challenges.
Name up to three specific things you would do on the board to address the most important issues facing the district.
DeWitt: Advocate for higher teacher pay, make sure special education students are receiving the education appropriate for them, and advocate to college students about the benefits of teaching.
Moneymaker: 1. Analyze current student achievement metrics.
2. Analyze the budget.
3. Analyze curriculum, resources and funding.
Malloy: 1. We advocate during every legislative session for full funding of special education. We remain committed to being fiscally responsible.
2. Attracting and retaining teachers starts with ensuring our salaries are competitive.
3. We will continue to closely monitor growth and expansion. While we want to avoid building schools too quickly, it’s equally important to maintain appropriate class sizes.
Amend: Work on the appropriate budget.
Jonasson: Advocate for special education funding while also making sure we are using our resources efficiently. Provide competitive pay and provide a supportive culture. Continue to invest in partnerships with local businesses, colleges and community organizations to broaden these opportunities.
Finan: Implement programs to train staff how to recognize students in need. Adopt new technologies and learning tools that can enhance student engagement and support diverse learning styles. Develop a leadership pipeline to ensure continuity and stability within the district.
