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Jessica Beeson
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Jessica Beeson was an at-large representative on the Lawrence Public Schools Board of Education in Kansas. She won a four-year term on the board in the general election on April 7, 2015.
Biography
Beeson grew up in Lawrence and graduated from district schools. She went on to earn a B.A. from the University of Kansas and an M.A. in near eastern studies from the University of Arizona. Beeson works at the University of Kansas where her work includes overseeing lifelong learning programs, community partnerships, project facilitating and lecturing for the leadership studies minor.[1]
Beeson is married and has two children who attend district schools.[1]
Elections
2015
Five seats were up for general election on April 7, 2015. Because more than three candidates filed for one position, a primary election was held on March 3, 2015.
Incumbents Bob Byers, Rick Ingram, Shannon Kimball, and Randy Masten were up for regular election. Masten was the only incumbent not to file to run for re-election. Byers, Ingram, and Kimball faced challengers Lindsey Frye, Ronald Gordon-Ross, Jessica Beeson, and Jill Fincher for the four-year terms up for election.[2] Ingram, Kimball, Beeson, and Fincher won the regular election.
An additional seat appeared on the ballot due to a vacancy on the board that was filled by appointment in 2014. Adina Morse resigned from the board in August to serve as the executive director of the Lawrence Schools Foundation. Marcel Harmon was appointed on September 8, 2014, to fill that vacancy.[3]
Because the seat would not have been up for regular election in 2015, the election for this seat was for the two years left on its unexpired term. Harmon ran to remain in the seat against challengers Mary Loveland, Kelly Spurgeon, and Norine Spears. Because more than three candidates filed for the race, a primary election was held. Harmon and Loveland advanced to the general election, where Harmon won his first full-term in the seat.[2]
Results
| Lawrence Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 4-year term, 2015 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Shannon Kimball Incumbent |
18.9% | 5,418 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jessica Beeson |
17.6% | 5,050 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jill Fincher |
17.3% | 4,951 | |
| Nonpartisan | Rick Ingram Incumbent |
16.6% | 4,758 | |
| Nonpartisan | Bob Byers Incumbent | 14% | 4,015 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lindsey Frye | 9.3% | 2,669 | |
| Nonpartisan | Ronald Gordon-Ross | 6.3% | 1,819 | |
| Total Votes | 28,680 | |||
| Source: Douglas County, "Online Election Results (official)," accessed April 16, 2015 | ||||
Funding
Beeson reported no contributions or expenditures to the Douglas County Clerk in this election.[4]
Endorsements
Beeson did not receive any official endorsements in this election.
Campaign themes
2015
Beeson provided the following statements on student equity, teacher advocacy and community engagement on her campaign website.
| “ | Student Equity
Lawrence is an economically, culturally and racially diverse community that enriches the student experience. Our district must continue to improve upon programming that aims to help students struggling with issues like illiteracy, poverty, hunger and unstable home environments so they can succeed academically and be prepared for college and careers. Additionally, we must continue to make progress on closing the achievement gap so that all of our students are academically successful. In order to address the non-academic concerns that impact our students, we should look toward partners in the community for their assistance and expertise. For example, I proposed a project to the district that, in partnership with local nonprofits, would ensure kids had access to meals on snow days. This is just one possibility and I would strongly support discovering others.[5] |
” |
| —Jessica Beeson's campaign website (2015)[6] | ||
| “ | Teacher Advocacy
We have dedicated, hardworking teachers throughout the district. They need to feel supported and protected by the school board. I’ve talked with many teachers who feel the only time they communicate with the board is when there is a problem or it’s time to negotiate their salaries. I would advocate for a more open environment that allows teachers to feel comfortable bringing suggestions and thoughts to the board. We ask a great deal from teachers and they rise to the challenge. Every policy the board puts into place and every new initiative proposed by the state or the district has to be implemented in the classroom by teachers. That is a hard job that requires flexibility and creativity. As a board member, I would work to open up those lines of communication and to receive more teacher input.[5] |
” |
| —Jessica Beeson's campaign website (2015)[7] | ||
| “ | Community Engagement
Our community invests money and time in public education—collectively; we care a lot about our public schools. Despite that, we may face serious budget shortfalls in the coming years if the state continues down the path of cutting K-12 funding. Rather than waiting until we have an acute crisis on our hands, like closing schools or teacher layoffs, we need to involve the community now. As challenging as the process was several years ago, engaging parents and other stakeholders from all over Lawrence resulted in keeping schools open and teachers employed. It also created a sense of trust that the district understands the priorities of the community. We need to keep that momentum going and continue to engage the community as we plan for the future.[5] |
” |
| —Jessica Beeson's campaign website (2015)[8] | ||
See also
- Lawrence Public Schools, Kansas
- Lawrence Public Schools, Kansas elections (2015)
- Hot tub Gatorade, turnout in Peoria and the Wisconsin state budget... (April 8, 2015)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jessica Beeson for Lawrence School Board, "About," accessed February 10, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Douglas County Clerk, "Unofficial City/School Candidate Filings To Date," January 27, 2015
- ↑ Lawrence Journal World, "Marcel Harmon appointed to Lawrence school board," September 8, 2014
- ↑ Douglas County Clerk, "Candidate Reports," accessed May 28, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Jessica Beeson for Lawrence School Board, "Student Equity," accessed February 10, 2015
- ↑ Jessica Beeson for Lawrence School Board, "Teacher Advocacy," accessed February 10, 2015
- ↑ Jessica Beeson for Lawrence School Board, "Community Engagement," accessed February 10, 2015
| 2015 Lawrence Public Schools Elections | |
| Douglas County, Kansas | |
| Election date: | Primary: March 3, 2015
General: April 7, 2015 |
| Candidates: | At-large, 4-year terms (Four seats): • Incumbent, Bob Byers • Incumbent, Rick Ingram • Incumbent, Shannon Kimball • Lindsey Frye • Ronald Gordon-Ross • Jessica Beeson • Jill Fincher
At-large, 2-year term (One seat): • Incumbent, Marcel Harmon • Mary Loveland • Kelly Spurgeon • Norine Spears |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
