Tracy Taton
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Tracy Taton ran for election to the Maize Unified School District 266 to represent District 2, Position 5 in Kansas. She lost in the general election on November 2, 2021.
Taton completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Tracy Taton was born in Wichita, Kansas. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas in 2002. Taton's career experience includes working as an independent stylist, first grade teacher, and kindergarten teacher.[1]
Elections
2021
See also: Maize USD 266, Kansas, elections (2021)
General election
General election for Maize Unified School District 266 District 2, Position 5
John Harrison defeated Tracy Taton in the general election for Maize Unified School District 266 District 2, Position 5 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Harrison (Nonpartisan) | 61.8 | 3,163 | |
 | Tracy Taton (Nonpartisan)  | 38.1 | 1,950 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 6 | ||
| Total votes: 5,119 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. John Harrison and Tracy Taton advanced from the primary for Maize Unified School District 266 District 2, Position 5.
Campaign themes
2021
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Tracy Taton completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Taton's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I have been invested in Maize USD266 since 2006. I am a former elementary teacher in Maize and Derby and a former assistant Softball coach in Derby. I am a current parent in USD266, my girls have attended Maize schools since starting at the Maize Early Childhood Center and currently attend Maize South Intermediate and Maize South Middle School. I am an advocate for students, families, and staff. I have advocated for many students and families during the IEP process as I have been on both sides of the IEP process as a teacher and parent. I am passionate about our district and want to make sure we continue to be a top district in the area and the state. My passion is helping others and kids. I believe every kid deserves a chance. There is much more to being a BOE member than what has transpired in the last year and a half with COVID.
- We need to raise student and teacher morale. The last year and a half has been hard for all, not just students and staff, but everyone. Students and teachers are our future.
- Effective communication between all stakeholders in the district (students, parents, staff, community members, and administration).
- Student achievement. Not just teaching to to a test, but making sure our students are leaving our schools ready for the next step they choose.
I am passionate about our public schools, which is why I am running for a BOE position for a public school. I think it is very important for all candidates to be pro public school and against the voucher system. The voucher system is something that is looked at at the state level, however, if our state would change to a voucher system, our district would lost a lot of funding. How are we going to raise salaries if we lose funding for our district? I respect all that choose a private school for whatever reason that may be legacy, personal choice, or another need. I do know that the voucher system will devastate many public schools.
I look up to my parents. My dad was raised in poverty, moving every six months for his mom to avoid paying rent. He was determined at an early age to help out others, including his family. He quit school in eighth grade to contribute to his family’s living expenses that were a bare minimum. He joined the Air Force at an early age with the blessing of his mom. My dad was determined and was successful in breaking the poverty level.
I would like to follow my parent’s example. They do not judge others on where they come from, they do not agree with all of their friends on different ideologies, however, they treat all with respect. I think it is important, especially now, we can agree to disagree, but still get along.
I would like to follow my parent’s example. They do not judge others on where they come from, they do not agree with all of their friends on different ideologies, however, they treat all with respect. I think it is important, especially now, we can agree to disagree, but still get along.
Trustworthy, Reputable, Relational
Listener, I will listen and keep an open mind as I am listening to others.
Relational, I build relationships with those that I meet.
Real, I am honest, whether I agree or not, I will tell the honest truth.
Being able to set apart personal beliefs for what is best for the district as a whole.
A positive impact for the district for all.
Space Shuttle Challenger exploding was my first historical event that I remember. I was in third grade at the time of this event.
My very first “official” job was when I was a freshman in high school at Golf Park in Wichita, KS. My first job after graduating college was an all day Kindergarten Teacher at Swaney Elementary in Derby, KS for three years.
Oh The Places You’ll Go, I think everyone is born has a chance if they are given the chance and encouragement.
Not really sure, it has been a long week.
Living by Dierks Bentley
Finding the right care for my child.
The primary job of a school board member is to be a voice for all in the district. You need to reach out to student, staff, families, community members, and administrations. Our Superintendent provides weekly notes to our BOE members, it is imperative for all BOE members to read this notes, but also interact with other stakeholders and do their own research on these issues. A BOE member is to make policies that is best for all stakeholders in the district.
Students, staff, administrators, and all community members within our district.
Listen, reach out, build relationships with those in our community to make sure I am supporting policies that are best for the overall interest of a public school district that serves nearly 8,000 students.
I am open to talking to all stakeholders in our community. I will keep up my social media presence communicating with the district. I will continue to seek out community members who I have yet heard from. I think it is important to hear form students, staff (all district staff), and community members.
I think it is important to recruit those that want to be in our district and want to make a positive difference in the lives of our students.
There are so many variables in this question. It might be the home life of the child, it might be a personal issue that has happened in the past with the student, it might be a health issue with a child, it could very well be mental health as well. The best way to make sure all are getting a quality education for that child is building relationships with our students and staff.
A good teacher is one that tries to build a relationship with all students that will allow this, as well as flexibility. There are so many more ways to measure this besides standardized testing, some students do not test well. This is not new, which is why we need to listen to teachers instead of those that have never been in education saying how students should test.
I highly encourage supporting our staff in continued learning opportunities.
I highly encourage supporting our staff in continued learning opportunities.
I think the last year and a half has showed us we need to put more into our virtual schooling. This is the preference of some students for their best learning module.
Continually speaking out against a voucher program for our state.
Being aware of what is going on in our schools, building relationships.
This is very important to me. I fought with insurance for three months to get my daughter the mental health care she has now. I am one hundred percent supportive of providing more mental health opportunities for all students and staff.
Technology is very important. Most of our kids are more technological than the parents. I believe our district has been top notch in technology. We were one of the few districts that had the technology for all students to have their own chrome books when the state shut down schools in March of 2020.
I write jokes on my daughter’s lunch plate every day, not sure I have a favorite anymore!
The most important thing is to try to keep students in person!
Building a relationship also means being trusted, showing honesty like I have done in my campaign I will continue to build relationships. I am open and honest. I encourage our community members to reach out to me. I want to hear from parents. I have had thirty minute phone conversations with community members that I know have my “opponent’s” sign in their yard. I am open to hearing all sides and have read many articles sent to me by community members on all sides.
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
2021 Elections
External links
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Candidate Maize Unified School District 266 District 2, Position 5 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 21, 2021
