Park Hill school board candidates believe the district has struck a good balance on supporting schools financially without overburdening taxpayers. But some say they want to make sure that the district’s spending is as efficient as possible.
Voters in the Park Hill School District will see four candidates on their ballots April 7, competing for three open positions. They include incumbents Alexia Norris and Janice Bolin and challengers Deanna Munoz and Brandon Kleinmeyer.
The Park Hill School District covers southern Platte County, including portions of Kansas City’s Northland and the municipalities of Parkville, Riverside, Platte Woods, Houston Lake, Lake Waukomis, Northmoor and Weatherby Lake.
The winning candidates will serve three-year terms on the board.
We asked the candidates about their backgrounds, policy positions and priorities ahead of the election. All four responded.
Their responses have been edited for clarity, grammar and AP style.
Click on a link to jump to a section of the questionnaire:
- School spending
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement in schools
- Teacher pay
- School choice
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- The most important issues facing the district
- How candidates would like to see DEI efforts change
Meet your Park Hill school board candidates
Alexia Norris (incumbent)
Occupation and employer: Attorney with Polsinelli
Background and qualifications: I grew up in Weston and attended West Platte. My husband and I have two girls, who both attend elementary school in Park Hill. I was appointed to the board in September 2025, and look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve.
Favorite school-related event: Back-to-school nights. I love seeing the kids so excited to reconnect with teachers and friends.
For more information see: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaNorrisForParkHill# and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/norris.4.parkhill/. My website will be active soon.
Deanna Munoz
Occupation and employer: Founder of Chicano Center for the Arts and director of organizing for Latinx Education Collaborative
Background and qualifications: I bring professional leadership and deep community roots to Park Hill. As a nonprofit leader, I’ve built programs, managed budgets and partnered with schools and families. I’m running to keep our district strong, transparent and student-centered.
For more information see: deannamunoz4phsd.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586056083424 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannamunoz4phsd/
Janice Bolin (incumbent)
Occupation and employer: Director of soccer operations for Kansas City Current
Background and qualifications: I have been on the Park Hill Board of Education for 17 years. I have spent most of my career in accounting and finance working in both public accounting and private industry.
Favorite school-related event: Graduation! It’s amazing to see the accomplishments of the kids in our community.
Brandon Kleinmeyer
Occupation and employer: Tax professional
Background and qualifications: I have over 10 years of experience in tax and finance. My wife works in the front office at Renner Elementary, and our two daughters attend Park Hill schools. I am a numbers guy with a deeply personal investment in our district’s success.
Favorite school-related event: The Halloween parties. We are a Halloween family, so seeing all the creative costumes is fun.
For more information see: brandon4phsd.com
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 a good balance on taxes and school spending.
Norris: Park Hill balances student and staff needs with moderate tax increases. In 2025, voters approved Propositions G and O, which funded competitive teacher salaries and facility improvements per Park Hill 2034. The district is currently well-positioned.
Munoz: We’ve been thoughtful. We’re not the highest-tax district, and we’re not underinvesting in our kids. We’ve made strategic investments while protecting taxpayers — and that balance is worth preserving.
Bolin: In Park Hill we work collaboratively with the community to keep tax rates in line with what our stakeholders have supported with their votes. We provide a valuable education while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Kleinmeyer: Our total spending level is adequate, but it is misdirected. We spend too much on administrative bloat and outside consultants instead of our students and classroom teachers. We must reallocate this money.
Immigration enforcement 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)
Norris: The district is obligated to comply with law, but must prioritize the privacy, safety and security of our students and staff.
Munoz: I believe Park Hill would do the best it can to ensure the school community is safe.
Bolin: It is imperative that children feel safe at school. I think it is important to follow laws, but it is also critical for children to know they are protected by the adults at the schools and that school is a safe space.
Kleinmeyer: As a school board member, my sole focus is the educational outcomes, safety and fiscal health of Park Hill students — not federal immigration enforcement. I trust our district’s legal counsel to handle compliance with all laws.
Teacher pay
Teachers in my district…
- Need a significant pay raise.
- Are paid too much already.
- Are making about the right amount.
- Other
Norris: By passing Proposition G in 2025, our community supported Park Hill teachers. Our teachers are now paid in the top five for starting salary, and top three for average pay. However, we must continue to support salaries and benefits and not fall behind again.
Editor’s note: When Proposition G was on the ballot in 2025, Park Hill compared itself to 17 local peer districts in Missouri and Kansas when determining its starting salary ranking and 14 local peer districts in Missouri that use the same retirement system when determining average pay ranking.
Munoz: Park Hill hasn’t adjusted its operating tax in over 20 years. Proposition G was designed to provide the pay raises and benefits our teachers deserve, helping retain high-quality staff who are the backbone of our schools.
Bolin: Teachers are the pillars of our society and deserve much higher pay, but we are constrained by tax rates and funding. Our community recently approved a bond to increase staff salaries to remain competitive in the KC market.
Kleinmeyer: I believe our teachers needed a raise, which is why I voted for Proposition G last April to ensure they got one. To keep pay competitive moving forward, we must cut administrative bloat and redirect those funds, not raise taxes.
School choice legislation
Missouri lawmakers have proposed law changes to expand charter schools, allow students to switch school districts more easily and pay for more students to attend private schools. As a school board member, I would…
- Generally support these efforts.
- Support some, but not all, of these efforts.
- Generally oppose these efforts.
- Avoid advocating one way or another.
Norris: Public funds should support public schools. The answer is not to move students, but instead to adequately fund and support policies at the local and state level so every student at every school has the opportunity for a quality education.
Munoz: As a school board member, I would monitor changes from Jefferson City, protect strong public schools, keep funding in classrooms and support policies that serve all students, not just a few.
Bolin: Public education should be fully funded and private school should not be funded through public dollars. Charter schools should be held to the same standards as public schools and shouldn’t receive public funds until they have the same accountability.
Kleinmeyer: I am running for the Park Hill school board, not the state legislature. My only job is to make Park Hill so academically and financially strong that parents never want to look elsewhere for their children’s education.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
My school district….
- Overemphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
- Underemphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
- Puts about the right amount of emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB).
- Other
Norris: Students and staff must feel a sense of belonging to succeed. This emphasis is woven throughout so Park Hill is continually striving to meet these goals in a positive and inclusive manner.
Munoz: Park Hill’s DEIB work is part of district policy and planning, but community conversations continue to ensure all students feel safe, supported and reflected in their schools.
Bolin: Every child, family and staff person should feel welcome in our school buildings. I’m proud of the investment Park Hill has made to ensure equitable opportunity for all in our district.
Kleinmeyer: The district spends too much money on administrative DEIB frameworks and outside consultants. I support “practical inclusion” — redirecting that money to remove financial and logistical barriers so all students can participate in activities.
Short answer
Name up to three specific things you would do on the board to address the most important issues facing the district.
Norris: 1. Ensure transparent and efficient spending of Proposition O funds to implement the Park Hill 2034 facilities plan. 2. Support policies that ensure safety and security of our students while at school. 3. Support our teachers through top salaries, professional development and strong curriculum.
Munoz: I will prioritize teacher support with competitive pay and manageable workloads, advocate for academic excellence with early interventions and culturally responsive teaching, and ensure responsible budgeting that protects classrooms, student supports and teacher positions.
Bolin: I will continue to work to recruit, retain and value high quality staff in our district.
I will fight for public tax funds to stay in public education.
I will value transparency and integrity, and efficiency in our budget and spending.
Kleinmeyer: 1. Audit the overhead: Redirect funds from administrative bloat and consultants to the classroom. 2. Smart planning: Deploy sensible solutions for overcrowding (like portables) and halt invisible renovations. 3. Safety and accountability: Enforce consistent discipline to support teachers and protect students.
How would you like to see the district’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts expanded, reduced or changed?
Norris: I support focusing these efforts on the outcome of “belonging,” which impacts every student. We must ensure inclusive representation in our staff and curriculum while removing learning barriers. I advocate for continuing to use a data-driven approach so we can track progress in this space.
Munoz: I believe every student deserves to feel safe, respected and included. I will listen to students, families and staff, ensure transparency in DEI efforts and provide equitable support so all students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
Bolin: I am committed to continuing the DEIB work in our district. It permeates all parts of our organization in the work we are doing every day. It is important and will have a lasting impact as all families can feel like they belong at Park Hill.
Kleinmeyer: I support a shift to “practical inclusion.” True inclusion isn’t achieved through expensive administrative frameworks or consultants. It happens by removing barriers — expanding bus routes for career programs, lowering activity fees and ensuring all kids can participate in traditions like Halloween parties. Inclusion is an action, not a seminar.
