May 16, 2020

Our family moved to LS in 1967. I am a 1981 LSHS graduate. My wife Janet is a 1983 graduate of LSHS and an R-7 retiree who spent 27 years as a classroom teacher at Westview Elementary. Our twin daughters are 2017 graduates of LSW.

I have spent my career in Risk Management. I oversee risk control services to the largest book of public entity clients –school districts and municipalities in the region. I work closely with Raytown Schools, Kansas City Public Schools, Shawnee Mission, Lawrence, and Center School Districts implementing programming and enhancing policy to mitigate risk. As a result of recent issues the district has encountered, a serious morale issue among staff has been created. Staff has lost all confidence in administration. Teachers are an essential district partner. To ask disgruntled, unhappy, and unsatisfied staff to carry out the district’s mission statement is certain to fail. I believe EVERY child is entitled to equal benefits and services regardless of race, religion, special needs, or gender identity. We are a public school district; anything less is unacceptable. Navigating the financial landscape of the immediate future is critical with or without the passage of the No Tax Increase Bond Issue. Additionally, ensuring that our children are safe in our schools is of paramount importance and our responsibility. Some of our buildings have fallen behind meeting this new standard of security. Protecting our children from inside threats is also the new standard – enhanced, periodic background monitoring of staff is the new standard in the industry.

I have strong professional experience working with school districts, I know firsthand teachers’ frustrations, and I am passionate about returning R-7 to a district leader. Vote Yes on the No Tax Increase Bond Issue and Vote Mark Leetch for School Board on June 2nd.