The Sunflower sent questions to all Wichita Board of Education candidates on their experience, priorities and more.
Diane Albert
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
Wichita State students should vote for me because I’m focused on results that matter — strong academics, safe schools and opportunities that prepare students for real life. I’ve worked to expand Career & Technical Education and FutureReady Centers so students graduate ready for college or the workforce. As Board President, I’ve led with transparency, accountability, and common sense. Whether you’re new to Wichita or grew up here, your vote can help shape schools that build the next generation of
thinkers, creators, and leaders.
How would you describe the role of a Wichita Board of Education member?
A Board of Education member is a public servant and problem-solver. Our job is to keep student learning at the center of every decision and make sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. We set goals, track progress, and hold the Wichita Public School district accountable for results. It’s leadership, transparency, and helping students succeed. The board’s role is to make sure Wichita schools prepare every student to think critically, work hard, and be ready for whatever path they choose – whether college, career or service.
What experience do you have that makes you the best fit for this position?
I currently serve as President of the Wichita Board of Education and have led major changes that keep academics at the center of every decision. Before joining the board, I owned a small business as a residential general contractor, where I learned to manage budgets, solve problems, and deliver results. I’ve built consensus across diverse perspectives, improved transparency, and focused on outcomes that matter—better reading, math, and career readiness. I lead with common sense, accountability, and a commitment to student success.
What are your priorities if elected?
My priorities are improving student achievement, delivering measurable results, and elevating great teachers. I will continue focusing on strong reading and math instruction, expanding career pathways, and ensuring teachers have the tools, training, and support
they need to help students thrive. I believe in transparency, accountability, and using taxpayer dollars wisely. Wichita students deserve classrooms that challenge and inspire them – and teachers who are trusted and respected for the incredible work they do
every day.
What principles or values would you say are most important to you or would guide your decisions in this role?
Faith, integrity and accountability guide every decision I make. I believe that all people have value, dignity, and are created for a purpose and a destiny calling. Public schools play a vital role in providing a quality education that helps unlock each student’s potential. I value fiscal responsibility, transparency and listening before deciding. Education should empower students to think critically, work hard and build their own future. My focus will always be on results that reflect those values.
Are there any past actions of the board that you strongly agree or disagree with? Why?
I strongly supported and led restructuring board meetings to focus more on academics and progress monitoring. It keeps student achievement at the center of every discussion and holds us accountable for results. I also supported the creation of the Financial
Oversight Committee to strengthen transparency and fiscal responsibility. These actions improved the board’s operations and the way taxpayer dollars are spent.
The student population of USD 259 continues to decline in recent years, prompting the closure of several schools. What approach would you take on handling this issue if elected?
Declining enrollment is a serious issue that requires honest, data-driven decisions. We must right-size the district to match enrollment while protecting classroom instruction. School closures are never easy, but operating underused facilities diverts resources away from teachers and students. My approach is to be transparent, gather community input, and ensure resources are directed where they make the greatest impact on student achievement and long-term results for Wichita students.
The board has tentatively approved putting another bond issue on the ballot after voters narrowly rejected the last one. Do you feel another bond is the best option and why or why not?
The district has significant facility needs that must be addressed, and schools have limited options for funding large projects. A bond is the primary tool available, but any plan must be the right investment for Wichita. I will only support a proposal that is fiscally responsible, transparent, and clearly tied to improving student learning environments. We must right-size the district to match enrollment and make long-term investments that serve both students and taxpayers well.
Mackenzie Truelove
Why should Wichita State students vote for you?
I am a WSU Alumnus with a BS in Biological and Biomedical Science and a Masters of Health Administration. I love that school and want everyone that goes there to know that their younger siblings will be represented and cared for in this district. Their future and family’s future plans in the city of Wichita will be feasible with the public education offered here and that their younger siblings, relatives, and friends in the city will be treated like more than just statistics and test scores if I’m elected.
How would you describe the role of a Wichita Board of Education member?
The role of a board member is to represent the community in the decisions being made for USD 259. To build relationships with everyone involved – students, teachers and school staff, families, and community taxpayers – and bring those perspectives to decisions being made. It’s really about being the vessel through which the community’s voice is heard, while still standing on my own steadfast values that our kids in USD 259 schools are full and complete human beings with wants, needs, hopes and dreams, and should be respected as such.
What experience do you have that makes you the best fit for this position?
Background in science and health care — I’m an evidence-based strategic decision maker. What are the symptoms, what causes the symptoms, and how can we implement policy/programs that will treat those causes? We have the ability to care for students wholly, not just look at performance and band-aid when the numbers don’t look right. This creates a trust in the community that’s hard to have right now. Knowing voters/taxpayers care to make students’ lives less challenging builds confidence and personal responsibility for kids to do the same when given the opportunity.
What are your priorities if elected?
I’m looking to pass a bond issue to maintain funding at no tax increase — funding that will go toward building maintenance like correcting heating and cooling issues that are major distractions and health hazards. I’m also a major proponent of the community schools program and would like to expand the pilot district wide — the program helps us care wholly for students and families. I’d also like to protect, support, and implement more robust mental health and health resources in general.
What principles or values would you say are most important to you or would guide your decisions in this role?
I believe in treating all individuals with respect and dignity, whatever that means. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are principles that need to be protected at a time in our history when it’s fraught to be someone that resembles something “different.” I value having hard conversations about hard topics like race, sexuality, gender identity, religion, and culture. I want to build an education system that gives students empathy and personal responsibility to this community, their peers, and their future neighbors.
Are there any past actions of the board that you strongly agree or disagree with? Why?
I think the publicity around the bond issue in February was lacking and there were quite a few miscommunications and misrepresentations that caused it to fail. It’s quite a travesty for our school system for funding to be in question when there are already so many other places from which we stand to lose funding. This is the largest school district in Kansas and we need all the help we can get.
The student population of USD 259 continues to decline in recent years, prompting the closure of several schools. What approach would you take on handling this issue if elected?
I deeply oppose the closing of schools. What’s discussed is closure and moving those students and staff to different schools rather than rebuilding in those neighborhoods. One issue is that it shifts the routines of parents/students trying to figure out schedules and transportation but it also eliminates leadership positions for teachers and school staff which is cause for turnover. It should be an absolute last resort to close schools, but we need to do more to improve and promote our schools to slow the declining enrollment rate, as well.
The board has tentatively approved putting another bond issue on the ballot after voters narrowly rejected the last one. Do you feel another bond is the best option and why or why not?
I’ve talked a great deal about the bond issue but it does need to be passed. The bond which was passed in 2008 will lapse at the end of this decade and, if it does, those taxes will no longer be collected for the maintenance of USD 259 buildings. If things then are still hard economically, it will be very hard to talk voters into another local tax to maintain public schools, which will lead to more closures and severely impact the way education is run in USD 259.