Caleb Smith (Kansas)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Caleb Smith

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 5, 2025

Education

High school

Wichita Northwest High School

Bachelor's

Wichita State University, 2009

Law

Washburn Law School, 2012

Personal

Profession

Attorney at law

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Caleb Smith ran for election to the Wichita Public Schools Board of Education to represent District 5 in Kansas. Smith lost in the primary on August 5, 2025.

Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Caleb Smith earned a high school diploma from Wichita Northwest High School, a bachelor's degree from Wichita State University in 2005, and a law degree from Washburn Law School in 2012. Smith also attended Iliff School of Theology. His career experience includes working as an attorney at law.

Elections

2025

See also: Wichita Public Schools, Kansas, elections (2025)

General election

General election for Wichita Public Schools, District 5

Incumbent Kathy Bond and Amy Jensen are running in the general election for Wichita Public Schools, District 5 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Kathy Bond (Nonpartisan)
		Amy Jensen (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Wichita Public Schools, District 5

Amy Jensen and incumbent Kathy Bond defeated Michelle Cunningham, Caleb Smith, and Phillip Samuels in the primary for Wichita Public Schools, District 5 on August 5, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Amy Jensen (Nonpartisan)	36.9	629
✔		Kathy Bond (Nonpartisan)	36.9	628
	Submit photo	Michelle Cunningham (Nonpartisan)	14.8	252
		Caleb Smith (Nonpartisan)	8.8	150
	Submit photo	Phillip Samuels (Nonpartisan)	2.6	45

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,704
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Caleb Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Caleb Smith, a proud graduate of Wichita public schools, an attorney, and the parent of children currently enrolled in USD 259. Growing up in Wichita schools gave me a firsthand understanding of how strong public education can shape opportunities and strengthen communities.

My career as an attorney has taught me how to analyze complex issues, listen to all sides, and make thoughtful, fair decisions—skills I am ready to bring to the Wichita Board of Education. As a parent, I see the challenges our students, teachers, and families face every day, and I am deeply committed to ensuring our schools are safe, well-supported, and focused on helping every child succeed.

I’m running to ensure that every student—no matter their background—has the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive academically and personally.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• “I am a parent and graduate of Wichita public schools, running to ensure every child—no matter their background—has access to a safe, supportive, and high-quality education. I believe strong schools build strong neighborhoods and a stronger Wichita.”
• “My priorities are improving student achievement, supporting and retaining great teachers, and modernizing our schools with fiscal responsibility. Every decision I make will focus on what is best for our students.”
• “I will bring a thoughtful, collaborative approach to the Board of Education—listening to parents, educators, and communities to ensure their voices shape the future of our schools.”

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about public education policy, particularly the areas that ensure equity, academic excellence, and community engagement. I believe every student deserves access to high-quality instruction, modern facilities, and strong support systems, regardless of their background or zip code.

I am especially focused on policies that:

Close opportunity gaps by investing in early literacy, career pathways, and programs that prepare students for college and the workforce.

Support teachers and staff with the resources, training, and respect they need to succeed.

Promote fiscal responsibility by making strategic, transparent investments that strengthen our schools and neighborhoods.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I believe the most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, accountability, and the willingness to listen. Public service is about representing the community’s values, not personal agendas.

An elected official should:

Act with transparency so that decisions are clear and understandable to the public.

Be a good listener, seeking input from those directly impacted before making decisions.

Show fiscal responsibility, ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely and tied to real outcomes.

Work collaboratively, recognizing that strong partnerships with families, educators, and community members lead to the best results.

For me, leadership means balancing tough decisions with compassion and keeping students at the center of every conversation.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibilities of a school board member are to ensure that every decision made supports student success and reflects the values of the community. A board member’s primary duties include:

Setting policy and strategic direction for the district, focusing on improving academic achievement and creating safe, inclusive learning environments.

Approving and overseeing the budget to ensure resources are allocated effectively and with fiscal responsibility.

Hiring and evaluating the superintendent, ensuring strong leadership and accountability.

Engaging with the community by listening to parents, educators, and students, and making decisions based on the needs of those directly impacted.

Monitoring academic performance and district goals to ensure continuous improvement.

A board member must always keep students at the center of decision-making while balancing long-term needs with transparency and fairness.

What is your favorite book? Why?

One of my favorite books is Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I admire this book because it shows how Lincoln built a leadership team of people with diverse viewpoints—even those who opposed him—and united them around a common purpose. It’s a powerful reminder that great leadership requires humility, listening, and the ability to bring people together to solve big challenges. These are the same qualities I strive to bring to public service.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

The primary job of a school board member is to set the strategic vision and policies that ensure student success, manage resources responsibly, and hire and hold the superintendent accountable for district performance. Listening to families and the community is also a key responsibility.

Who are your constituents?

My constituents include every student, parent, teacher, and community member in USD 259’s District 5. While my role is to represent the district, I believe strong schools benefit everyone, from families to local businesses.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

I would advocate for equitable access to resources, targeted programs for underserved students, and professional development for staff. I believe in listening to the unique needs of each school community and creating policies that promote inclusion, cultural responsiveness, and fairness.I would advocate for equitable access to resources, targeted programs for underserved students, and professional development for staff. I believe in listening to the unique needs of each school community and creating policies that promote inclusion, cultural responsiveness, and fairness.

How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?

I will engage with parent-teacher associations, neighborhood organizations, business leaders, teacher's unions, and advocacy groups such as the Urban League and local nonprofits. Building relationships means attending community events, holding listening sessions, and creating open lines of communication.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Good teaching is student-centered, adaptive, and focused on both academic and personal growth. I believe in measuring teaching success through student engagement, growth metrics, and feedback from both students and families. I would support innovative methods like project-based learning and technology integration.

In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?

I see a need for expanded career and technical training, apprenticeships, and STEM programming. Building partnerships with local businesses and colleges can create pathways into skilled trades, healthcare, and high-demand industries.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

I support pursuing a transparent, phased bond proposal and advocating for fair state funding. It’s critical to demonstrate to taxpayers exactly how funds will improve classrooms, safety, and student outcomes.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Safety policies should be proactive, not reactive. I support investing in secure facilities, training for staff and students, and strong mental health resources to prevent crises. Safety must be balanced with maintaining welcoming school environments.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

I will advocate for more school counselors, social workers, and partnerships with mental health organizations. I believe mental health is directly tied to academic success and teacher retention, and it must be prioritized.

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

I would focus on increasing transparency in decision-making, improving equity in resource allocation, and expanding career-readiness programs. I also believe parent and community engagement policies could be strengthened through regular town halls and advisory councils.

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

A safe, inclusive, and well-equipped environment where every student feels supported and challenged. My ideal classroom encourages curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, with strong teacher-student relationships at its core.

How do you feel like your school district handled the coronavirus pandemic? What, if anything, would you do differently in the future?

The pandemic was unprecedented, and while the district did an overall good job under difficult circumstances, there were still areas for improvement in communication and remote learning support. I would push for stronger digital infrastructure, better family communication, and clear contingency plans for future emergencies.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

I plan to support the further creation of parent advisory councils for each cluster of schools, host regular town halls, and ensure parents have direct input on district decisions. Meeting parents where they are—in their neighborhoods and schools—is critical.

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

We must offer competitive pay, supportive work environments, and ongoing professional development. Creating a culture where educators feel valued and heard is key to attracting and retaining talent.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Transparency and accountability are essential for public trust. Every dollar in a school budget should be tied to outcomes that directly support students and classrooms. I believe in open communication about spending, clear reporting to the public, and ensuring taxpayer funds are used responsibly.

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Candidate

Wichita Public Schools, District 5

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