The Journal-World sent a seven-question survey to each school board candidate running for the four seats worth a four-year term. Seven people filed for those seats. The four winners will be determined in the April 7, 2015 general election. Read candidate profiles and questionnaires here.

• Jessica Beeson, 38, is the director of alumni and community engagement for Kansas University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She also works as a lecturer for KU’s leadership studies minor and for the African & African-American Studies Department. She has served on the Elementary Facilities Task Force and the Superintendent’s Advisory Council in past years.

What makes you the right candidate for the school board?

I am committed to public education in Lawrence and to ensuring students remain the focus of decisions I’d make as a board member. In 2008, I became involved with Save Our Neighborhood Schools. We urged USD 497 to develop a plan that protected students, teachers and neighborhoods. Later I served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council and the Elementary School Facility Vision Task Force. I have experience serving on nonprofit boards and providing facilitation services. As a board member, I will strive to create an environment where the vision for our district includes the voices of our students, teachers and community members.

What issues should the school board focus on in the coming years?

The board currently has strong goals that will remain relevant in the coming years. That said, our district must continue to improve upon programming that aims to help vulnerable populations of students be academically successful, while supporting the needs of all students. Increasing support and awareness about the opportunities created by Career Pathways, AVID and the district’s new College and Career Center will be important in the coming years. I also think that with looming budget cuts, we need to make sure that the $92.5 million dollar bond, overwhelmingly approved by voters, stays on course.

How should the board address the budget issues it faces because of state cuts?

Conversations about potential cuts must be open and inclusive. Our budget is already pretty lean and deeper cuts will be difficult. One important aspect in addressing budget cuts is to fully utilize the Finance Advisory Council. The council was established by the district as an answer to the community wanting greater transparency about the budget. The council members are liaisons between the community and the board and can help the district think creatively about cuts that protect programming and jobs. The board must also continue to be an engaged and active voice in Topeka on issues related to school finance.

Are Lawrence students shortchanged in any aspect of their education?

We have great public schools in Lawrence and I’m proud to send my kids to them. I’m constantly impressed by the way teachers adapt to my children’s needs and to the diverse needs of all their other students. Lawrence kids have wonderful opportunities but there is always room for improvement. Our district recently decided to eliminate the fees for level-one elective courses, making them more accessible to students with fewer resources. This is a great first step toward greater educational equity and one I would like to see expanded.

Do you support Common Core standards? Why or why not?

I’ve asked many teachers about this and learned that most are supportive of Common Core (CC), preferring it over No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the default if CC is removed. The penalties for districts that don’t meet the standards of NCLB are harsh. CC is more flexible and doesn’t define how the standards are woven into the curriculum or which materials must be used. For these reasons, I’m supportive of Common Core. I understand the testing process was challenging last year as the state was not entirely prepared for its launch. I’m hopeful these issues will get better over time.

Should teachers have tenure rights? Is it “too hard” to fire teachers with tenure?

Rather than tenure, I believe this is really about due process rights, which protects teachers from unjustified job termination for religious beliefs, political positions, LGBT status, failing a star athlete, etc. Before last year’s House bill eliminating teachers’ due process rights, teachers could have their termination reviewed by an independent board. Now hearings are conducted by the teacher’s local school board. This may seem reasonable at first glance, but school districts across Kansas are vulnerable to becoming political playgrounds. In much the same way, due process protects school districts from lawsuits brought by teachers.

Do you support moving school board elections to November in even numbered years and/or making the elections partisan?

No, I do not support making local elections partisan or moving school board elections to November in even numbered years. Working parents and people of differing income levels can actively participate in local politics and focus on creating positive changes for their communities. Partisan local elections will cost more and cause candidates to focus on tearing each other down instead of helping our students prepare for their futures. With all of the issues facing our state, we should be working on building bridges between sides, not creating greater divisions.

More 2015 Lawrence school board election coverage

• Candidate profiles and questionnaires