Gina Montalbano Zesiger

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Gina Montalbano Zesiger

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2024

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Gina Montalbano Zesiger (Republican Party) ran for election to the Kansas State Board of Education to represent District 4. She lost in the Republican primary on August 6, 2024.

Biography

Gina Montalbano Zesiger grew up in Silex, Missouri and lives in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. Zesiger earned a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education, and master's degree in special education and teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She also earned an education specialist degree in administration from Northwest Missouri State University and an educational doctorate from William Woods University.

Her career experience includes working as a teacher in the North Kansas City School District and as the assistant principal of Park Hill School District. Zesiger owns Z&M Twisted Vines Winery with her husband.

Elections

2024

See also: Kansas State Board of Education election, 2024

General election

General election for Kansas State Board of Education District 4

Connie O'Brien defeated Kris Meyer in the general election for Kansas State Board of Education District 4 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Connie O'Brien (R)	50.7	79,486
		Kris Meyer (D)	49.3	77,228

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 156,714
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 4

Kris Meyer advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 4 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kris Meyer	100.0	14,465

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,465
= 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.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 4

Connie O'Brien defeated Nancy Moneymaker and Gina Montalbano Zesiger in the Republican primary for Kansas State Board of Education District 4 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Connie O'Brien	44.8	9,885
		Nancy Moneymaker	36.2	7,991
		Gina Montalbano Zesiger	19.1	4,212

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 22,088
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Montalbano Zesiger in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Gina Montalbano Zesiger did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Interview with KSN News

Zesiger highlighted the following themes in an interview with KSN News on July 16, 2024. The questions from KSN News are bolded and Zesiger's responses follow below.

“

What are the top 3 things that deserve your immediate attention, and what actions would you take on them? Kansas public schools face several pressing issues that require focused attention and robust solutions. As a proponent of fully funded public education, I believe the following are the most critical challenges: Adequate Funding: Ensuring that Kansas public schools receive consistent and adequate funding is paramount. Despite efforts to improve funding levels, schools still face budgetary constraints that impact teacher salaries, educational resources, and student services. Fully funding schools is essential for providing quality education and supporting both teachers and students effectively. Teacher Recruitment and Retention: The Kansas State Board of Education has recognized the importance of addressing teacher licensure issues to improve teacher recruitment and retention. Recent changes, such as removing certain licensure exams, aim to make the process more accessible for aspiring educators. However, ongoing efforts are needed to attract and retain high-quality teachers in the state. Early Childhood Education: Enhancing early childhood education is a priority, as highlighted by the Early Childhood Transition Task Force. This task force focuses on developing a comprehensive strategy for early childhood programs, emphasizing the need for a strong foundation in the early years to ensure long-term educational success. Mental Health Support: Addressing student mental health needs is crucial. Programs like the Mental Health Intervention Team Program are vital in providing necessary support to students, helping them overcome challenges and succeed academically and personally. What can be done to ensure the safety of students at school? A well-rounded approach to education in K-12 classrooms encompasses not only academic rigor but also the social and emotional well-being of students. It is essential to balance individualized education with the broader needs of students’ academic and emotional development. Our school culture, shaped by dedicated staff, plays a pivotal role in enriching students’ lives both socially and emotionally while maintaining high academic standards through carefully crafted content and curriculum. To achieve this balance, schools must utilize research-based strategies, involving school counselors and external agencies, to equip students with the skills to navigate a diverse world. Inclusivity is paramount, ensuring all students feel safe and supported in their learning environments. Positive behavioral outcomes are integral to this approach, and there is ample evidence-based content and curriculum available to address the evolving societal landscape without imposing political or ideological beliefs on students. Our school handbooks and processes should clearly outline expectations for safety. Monitoring the school environment and allowing for the inclusion of School Resource Officers bridges the gap between public safety and student interactions with law enforcement. The primary goal is to create a safe and conducive learning environment where students are ready to engage and succeed. Even though critical race theory is not a part of Kansas’ academic standards, what is your stance on the topic? By fostering a non-biased, inclusive atmosphere, schools can effectively support the comprehensive development of every student, preparing them for the complexities of the modern world. What should the Kansas BOE do to make sure at-risk students are not being left behind? The State Board of Education plays a significant role in guaranteeing that our public schools meet high standards of teaching, learning, and student readiness for life beyond the classroom. By keeping every penny within the public education system, we can address the diverse needs of our communities, including those of students with special education requirements and alternative learning needs. Public schools are the cornerstone of what makes our communities strong and vibrant. Public education is imperative to success in the future, providing equitable opportunities for all students. While private education is a choice, it should not be funded with public dollars, as public education is foundational to our society’s prosperity and growth. What is the largest challenge facing schools and how do you propose the BOE helps them solve it? The Kansas State Board of Education plays a critical role in supporting local school districts through policy, funding advocacy, and program development. Ensuring that public schools are well-funded and equipped to meet the diverse needs of students is essential for the future success of Kansas education. What resources do you think Kansas schools need that they currently don’t have? We need to ensure that resources support effective teaching, learning, and student outcomes. The State Board of Education plays a key role in advocating for adequate funding from the state legislature, ensuring that financial policies support equitable access to education for all students. By holding districts accountable for the resources allotted to them and ensuring funds are spent appropriately on evidence-based teaching and learning practices, the Board helps maintain transparency and trust within the education system. This collaborative relationship between the legislature and the Board is essential for ensuring that financial resources are used effectively to support the best interests of all learners throughout Kansas.

”

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Gina Montalbano Zesiger campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Kansas State Board of Education District 4	Lost primary	$2,314	$0
Grand total			$2,314	$0
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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Kansas State Board of Education District 4

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