Caleb Smith (Kansas)
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.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Wichita Public Schools, Kansas, elections (2025)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
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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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 |
Michelle Cunningham (Nonpartisan) | 14.8 | 252 | ||
![]() | Caleb Smith (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 8.8 | 150 | |
Phillip Samuels (Nonpartisan) | 2.6 | 45 |
Total votes: 1,704 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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. | ||||
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Endorsements
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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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|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.- “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.”
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.
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.
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.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 19, 2025