💬 We asked readers to share questions they’d like us to ask the candidates. Their responses helped us select the questions for candidates this year.
North Kansas City school board candidates say the district is putting an appropriate amount of emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
But they have differing ideas about teacher pay, school funding and how to respond to legislative efforts to expand school choice in Missouri.
Three candidates are competing for two spots on the North Kansas City school board this year. They include the two incumbents, Laura Wagner and Karee Gleason-Miller, as well as a challenger, Jason Russell.
The North Kansas City NEA, the district’s teachers union, recommends Wagner and Gleason-Miller.
The winning candidates will serve three-year terms on the board.
North Kansas City Schools is the largest public school district on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area, with more than 21,000 pre-K-12 students.
Mostly located in Clay County, it covers some of Kansas City’s Northland as well as North Kansas City, Gladstone, Pleasant Valley, Claycomo, Birmingham, Randolph, Avondale, Oakview, Oakwood Park, Oakwood, Oaks and small parts of Liberty and Independence.
We asked the candidates about their backgrounds, policy positions and priorities ahead of the election. All three 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 ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately
Meet your North Kansas City school board candidates
Laura Wagner (incumbent)
Occupation: Public engagement and communications manager at HNTB
Background and qualifications: I have volunteered with the North Kansas City School District for many years, with the NKC Education Foundation and with the Pathways program. I currently serve as the chair of the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Favorite school-related event: Convocation may be my favorite event due to the energy of the teachers and staff.
For more information see: WagnerForNKCSchools.com or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wagnerfornkcschools/
Karee Gleason-Miller (incumbent)
Occupation: Legal operations specialist at C2FO
Background and qualifications: I have served on the NKC Board of Education since 2020. I leverage my deep community involvement to advocate for student mental health, diversity and transparent communication, ensuring every family has a voice in our schools.
Favorite school-related event: Adult education and literacy ceremony which honors students overcoming barriers to earn diplomas and English as a second language goals.
For more information see: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karee.gleasonmiller/
Jason Russell
Occupation: Retired
Background and qualifications: I served as vice president of New Mark PTA (2021-2022) and Staley PTA (2024-2026) and was Staley membership chair for two years. I served on the original Gladstone Community Center Board and graduated from the leadership program.
Favorite school-related event: Staley bowling team tournaments and Game of Life at Gateway
For more information see: https://ballotpedia.org/Jason_Russell
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.
Wagner: We serve over 21,000 students. Most of the budget goes to salaries, then food and transportation. We serve nearly 3 million meals annually and send 165 buses out for students. We shouldn’t cut any of this from our budget. Informed taxpayers know.
Gleason-Miller: NKC leads in teacher pay, consistently raising salaries despite Missouri’s low state funding. While the board prioritizes competitive compensation, Missouri’s bottom-tier education funding forces districts like NKC to bridge the gap with limited resources.
Russell: Our current Board of Education is honestly doing a fantastic job already and the results of their work back that up.
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)
Wagner: There are very specific rules around law enforcement officer or ICE interviews with students. They are on the NKC School District site here: https://www.nkcschools.org/district/dept/safety-security/leo-interaction-with-students.
Gleason-Miller: Our district’s primary mission is to ensure every student can learn in a safe and welcoming environment. To that end, NKC Schools follows strict board policies regarding law enforcement. Our staff is trained to follow a specific protocol that prioritizes the student’s rights and minimizes any disruption to the school day.
Russell: Students do not need to see their friends removed from school by force. There is a time and place for everything and ICE can wait until the end of the school day.
Teacher pay
Teachers in my district…
- Need a significant pay raise.
- Are paid too much already.
- Are making about the right amount.
- Other
Wagner: Our district works with the NKC NEA (the district’s teachers union) and Collaborative Team for Teacher Negotiations to do what we can to pay our teachers well. Budgets are challenging. We also need to make a teaching career appealing for the long term for student teachers now.
Gleason-Miller: NKC teachers undoubtedly deserve a pay raise. While our board prioritizes competitive raises, Missouri’s low funding is a major hurdle. The state must work with NKC Schools to increase investment, ensuring we can recruit and retain the best educators.
Russell: I believe the salary is fair where it is currently. However, I do believe that additional bonuses and income opportunities for teachers should be awarded based on student performance results as well.
School choice
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.
Wagner: Ensuring our budget will work for the coming years is entirely dependent on the number of students we anticipate being in our schools. We will need to provide busing for all students and having the boundaries helps with planning.
Gleason-Miller: Public funds need to stay in public schools that serve every child with full accountability. Diverting tax dollars to private or charter systems weakens our community’s foundation and undermines the universal access that only public schools provide.
Russell: This is not something that can be explained briefly unfortunately. Feel free to contact me with additional questions or concerns.
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
Wagner: I am very pleased with the emphasis on DEIB in our district. We have a committee made up of teachers and community members who focus on these efforts. Student surveys ask about belonging which is important for student engagement and graduation.
Gleason-Miller: NKC Schools rightly prioritizes diversity to ensure every student feels seen and supported. By embracing our unique backgrounds, we prepare students for a global workforce and foster an inclusive environment where all learners can truly thrive.
Russell: Did not respond.
Short answer
Name up to three specific things you would do on the board to address the most important issues facing the district.
Wagner: I would continue to review the recommendations of the cabinet members to keep the budget in check, I would vote on changes to the budget that still support the top three expenses, and I would vote against any budget measures that do not directly support our students, teachers or staff.
Gleason-Miller: To address our district’s key issues, I will:
1. Lead execution of the 2025 $175 million bond to modernize middle schools and fine arts spaces with zero tax increases.
2. Launch the new strategic plan focused on student-centered growth and safety.
3. Advocate for fair funding as we navigate Missouri’s bottom-tier state support and pending new foundation formula.
Russell: I will be a strong, consistent voice for those who do not currently have one — especially special needs students, their families and the dedicated teachers who work tirelessly each day to help our children learn, grow and succeed. Every child deserves support, respect and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
If elected to the board, how would you fulfill your role of ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and in a way that best serves the needs of students?
Wagner: I ask any questions in advance of a vote and seek additional information when necessary. I am grateful to work with a district and superintendent who are also mindful of ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and in a way that serves the needs of the students and staff.
Gleason-Miller: I will prioritize fiscal transparency by overseeing the 2025 $175 million bond projects to modernize our facilities with zero tax increases. As we implement the new strategic plan, I’ll advocate for equitable resources despite Missouri’s low state funding, ensuring every dollar is directed toward student success and teacher retention.
Russell: All students deserve the highest quality education we can provide. That means modern teaching tools, up-to-date technology and classrooms designed for learning. It also means clean, safe facilities, secure transportation, well-maintained playgrounds and nutritious food.
