In the 2024 State Board of Education election, the projected winner for district four, which consists of central north and north east districts including USD 497, as of 9:30 p.m. is Kris Meyer.
Meyer of the Democratic party is from Johnson County, KS, and is leading against Republican Connie O’Brien. Meyer has worked as a teacher in De Soto for 16 years, and her plans if elected are to ensure equitable and proper funding for public schools and to support teachers by advocating for sufficient resources and listening to educators.
“The first thing I’d do is work to ensure that every school in Kansas is fully funded, particularly for special education, at-risk programs and social-emotional learning,” Meyer said in an interview with The Beacon.
In the same election taking place for district six, which is made up of northeastern school districts including USD 497, the projected winner as of 9:30 p.m. is Beryl New.
New of the Democratic party is from Junction City, KS, and is leading against Republican Bruce Schultz Some of New’s priorities are protecting students and staff from any threats, whether external or internal, focusing on the literacy of students, and assisting in teachers pursuing an alternate route to the profession.
“I understand the challenges and the celebrations at each level of an educational system,” she said in an interview with The Beacon regarding her stance on finding alternate routes into the teaching profession.
Regarding the district four election, 74% of votes have been counted as of 9:30 p.m. while 84% of votes have been counted in the district six election.
