Advance voting for the Nov. 4 general election is in progress at the office of Ellsworth County Clerk and Election Officer Shelly Vopat. It closes at noon Nov. 3 and the polls will be open from 7 a.m.7 p.m. the next day.

Editor’s note: Candidates were contacted and asked to submit answers. If answers are not printed, they were not submitted in time for publication. If answers are submitted after deadline, they will be added to the candidate answers online at indyrepnews.com.

Position 3

(one open seat)

Name: Brian Rush Previously held elected offices: Kanopolis City Council, Midway Extension District Governing Board Briefly tell us about yourself: I have lived in the Ellsworth area nearly my entire life and graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1995. My wife Tara and I have four children, Ethan (Salina), Breckyn, Kaine and Kale (home) and three grandchildren, Becklyn, Lorelai and Luke. I’m currently the operations supervisor for Kansas Gas Service in McPherson.

Why are you running for office?

I was raised with the understanding it was our civic duty to serve on public boards to make a positive impact and contribute to the well-being of our community and/or school.

What do you think the biggest strengths of the community are?

We have some great staff right now. We have great teachers, classified staff, as well as a great maintenance and transportation department. I also feel our Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways program has grown immensely in the last couple of years under the leadership of Karl Dawn Stover. These classes prepare students for skilled careers through a combination of academic and technical training. These are “real world” programs giving kids hands on experience that are directly applicable for the workforce and I can see this program continuing to grow and benefit both students and the community in the upcoming years. We need to continue building a good relationship with the community. There has recently been multiple listening sessions by Superintendent Hilbig to discuss the results of our latest needs assessment.

These have had a very low turnout. A lot of time went into gathering the information, now we need the community’s input on what needs people feel are the most important.

What area has the most opportunity for growth?

I feel I am good about having an open mind to many issues facing public education. It isn’t as simple as looking from the outside saying, “I am going to run for public office and I am going to make changes.” We must play a balancing act of being an advocate for students, parents, taxpayers and community members. Every decision made isn’t going to please everyone.

In fact, every decision will probably make some people happy and some people mad. We must be open minded enough to look at the pros and cons of every decision and collectively choose what is best. At the end of the day, is the decision we make what is best for kids? That’s important.

Why would you make a good addition to the governing body?

No answer.

What, if any, changes would you like to see during the next term?

I don’t feel drastic changes are needed. We just need to continue building on what we have started. The district has worked hard in recent years developing a strategic plan, vision and mission to ensure that we remain Better Together, Striving for Excellence.

As long as we continue with that being our driving force for everything we do, I feel we will have positive results.

What’s the most important issue facing the board? How can you help find solutions?

With the recent retirement announcement of Superintendent Hilbig, getting a quality replacement is going to be the first priority. I believe USD 327 is a very attractive district at this time, and it is an attractable landing spot.

I feel the second priority has to be teacher recruitment and retention. I don’t believe the general public truly understands just how severe the teacher shortage situation is in education. That isn’t something that is even debatable.

Without teachers, we will have no schools. When you have no school, your town is going to struggle to even survive. Retaining teachers, like with any job, requires a good work environment, support and competitive pay. This is done by good leadership starting at the top, making Superintendent Hilbig’s replacement so imperative. We also need everyone to continue advocating the legislature to fully fund special education as required by law.

Failure by them to do so is robbing dollars from our general fund, that in turn limits repairs and improvements that can be done to buildings as well as limits increases in wages to retain quality staff. At the end of the day, these problems trickle down to the local taxpayers to pick up the pieces.

Position 4 (one open seat)

Name: Cheryl Kennedy Previously held elected offices: Commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Briefly tell us about yourself: I am a dedicated single mother of a middle school student, actively engaged in our community and school activities. I regularly attend and support local events, and I am an active member of both the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and the school site council.

Whenever my schedule allows, I volunteer my time to assist those in need and have contributed to various organizations in the past. My commitment to supporting educational initiatives and community programs reflects my passion for making a positive impact.

Why are you running for office?

The motivation behind my decision to run for office stems from personal experiences overcoming significant family hardships. These challenges have made me stronger and instilled in me a deep commitment to support, guide and educate the next generation. I am dedicated to using my experiences to make a positive impact and help others achieve their full potential.

What do you think the biggest strengths of the community are?

The greatest strengths of our community lie in our ability to unite during times of need. Over the years, we have become increasingly welcoming, fostering an inclusive environment for all.

Through perseverance, we have overcome hardships together, demonstrating resilience and solidarity.

What area has the most opportunity for growth?

To ensure a supportive and inclusive environment, I would like to provide ample opportunities for all students to become involved in a variety of activities, whether it be athletics, extracurricular clubs or other programs.

Additionally, it is important to encourage and promote academic success for every student, fostering both personal growth and achievement throughout their educational

journey.

Why would you make a good addition to the governing body?

I am confident that serving on the school board will allow me to offer a fresh perspective and introduce innovative ideas that will contribute to the growth and development of our district.

My goal is to enhance community engagement and collaboration, ensuring that our schools continue to thrive and meet the evolving needs of students, families and the broader community.

What, if any, changes would you like to see during the next term?

As this is my first year seeking election to the school board, I am committed to enhancing communication between parents and our schools. My goal is to ensure that all important information is effectively shared, while also inviting and considering suggestions from members of our community. By fostering an open dialogue, we can work together to support the success of our students and strengthen our school district.

What’s the most important issue facing the board? How can you help find solutions?

One of the primary challenges facing the board is fostering meaningful engagement within the community to support our schools and the initiatives they propose. I am prepared to assist by recommending innovative strategies to enhance community involvement and help revitalize school spirit throughout our neighborhoods.

Position 4 (one open seat)

Name: Travis Holt Previously held elected offices: Ellsworth Township

Briefly tell us about yourself:

I am a devoted family man whose life is grounded in strong faith and a deep sense of purpose. As a dedicated firefighter, I am committed to protecting lives and serving with courage and compassion.

Beyond firehouse, I am a familiar face in the community — always eager to lend a hand, support local initiatives and campaign educational opportunities. My passion for student success and faculty support reflects my belief in the power of education to shape a stronger future for all, whether at home, on duty or in the community. I lead with integrity, heart and a servant spirit.

Why are you running for office?

I saw a great opportunity to be more involved in our Ellsworth Bearcat school system and felt the strong urge to step up to help shape the future.

What do you think the biggest strengths of the community are?

I think one of the biggest strengths of our community is a strong sense of support and connection from dedicated school organizations to passionate teachers and staff. There is a shared commitment to helping students succeed in creating a positive environment for learning. Our community rallies around its schools! Not just through academics, but also in sports, which brings people together and fosters teamwork, pride and unity.

What area has the most opportunity for growth?

I would like to see growth in our building management so we can focus on better functionality of what we have as well as support our current needs.

Why would you make a good addition to the governing body?

I believe I exercise great ability to work through issues with levelheadedness and collaboration.

Teamwork is something I am very familiar with in my everyday life.

What, if any, changes would you like to see during the next term?

I would like to see improvement to the bus barn and maintenance buildings.

What’s the most important issue facing the board? How can you help find solutions?

The prosed building bond and current budget are issues the board is currently facing. I think it’s important to keep the needs of our school system at the forefront. If elected, I intend to prioritize the schools’ necessities to maintain this great school.

Position 6 (one open seat)

Name: Jake Svaty Candidate did not respond.

Position 2

(one open seat)

No candidate on ballot

Position 4 (one open seat)

Name: Allison (Koch) Gonzalez Candidate did not respond.

Position 6 (one open seat)

Name: Dalton Wirth Candidate did not respond.