Last month, the Kansas City Public Schools Board candidates forum brought together six individuals, each vying to shape the future of education in their community. The event, moderated by young community leaders, dove deep into some of the critical issues facing public education today.
The candidates — Tanisha Ford, Joe Nelson, Brittany Foley, Bruce Beatty, Kelly Thompson, and Rita Cortez — came from diverse backgrounds but shared a common goal: improving educational opportunities for Kansas City’s students.
Moderated by Blaque KC — a grassroots group of parents, teachers and young leaders — the forum gave candidates a chance to present their visions for the district’s future. Topics like student safety, access to technology, and district funding dominated the conversation.
On AI and technology in schools
The first question of the night focused on cell phone use and the role of AI technology in classrooms.
Sub-district 1 incumbent Rita Cortez acknowledged that adapting to new technology, including AI, is inevitable.
“AI is going to force us to incorporate it into how we teach, how we learn — whether we like it or not,” Cortez said.
District challenger Kelly Thompson emphasized the need for digital literacy.
“We need to make students smarter around the use of technology,” she said.
At-large challenger Joseph Nelson proposed the creation of AI clubs at the high school level, encouraging more student-led exploration of the tools shaping their world.
On Immigration and Student Protection
Immigration policy and student safety were also critical topics, with candidates emphasizing clear communication and student safety when discussing potential encounters with ICE in schools.
“When it comes to ICE, we have to follow the law that’s given to us,” said sub-district 5 candidate Bruce Beatty. “We need to educate the administrators on what that policy is and how we’re going to react to all the situations that may or may not come up,” he added.
Kelly Thompson emphasized the importance of parental involvement and legal protections. “By law, public schools are required to educate any child, regardless of immigration status,” she said. “No one should be able to remove a child from a school without a parent present. That is just the bottom line.”
On District Budget and Teacher Support
Candidates also addressed the district’s budget priorities, with several emphasizing the importance of supporting teachers and involving the broader community in financial planning.
Nelson suggested offering housing subsidies and debt forgiveness to teachers, while incumbent Tanisha Ford underscored the need for community input in setting budget priorities.
“We need that community voice to guide what our budget priorities are going to be,” Ford said.
Sub-district 5 candidate Brittany Foley spoke to the broader vision behind their shared goals.
“I want every child to have access to do whatever they want, no matter what their life circumstances are,” she said. “I want KCPS to be a school district where everyone has a choice and opportunity.”
A Community Invested in Education
The forum showcased a community deeply invested in transforming public education, with candidates offering thoughtful, compassionate ideas for addressing complex challenges. From tech integration and teacher retention to student safety and long-term planning, the candidates demonstrated a shared commitment to meaningful, lasting change in Kansas City’s public schools.
As the school board race heats up, the March forum made one thing clear: the future of Kansas City’s students isn’t just a campaign issue — it’s a community priority.
The April 8 election will determine which of these visions will guide the district’s path forward.
