Bowling Green Candidates Discuss School Board Priorities Ahead of Election
Bowling Green, KY – In the upcoming election for the Warren County Public Schools (WCPS) Board of Education, three candidates are seeking to secure the contested seat in the second educational district. The candidates include incumbent Lloyd Williford, and newcomers Jen Kash and Janet Burks. Each candidate shared their qualifications and priorities for the Board during recent interviews.
Candidate Backgrounds
Lloyd Williford is the current board member, having served for five years since his appointment in 2019. With over 20 years as a financial adviser, he believes his experience has guided the WCPS in making cost-effective decisions amidst ongoing construction projects. “I know something about construction and how finances work and the costs that may be involved,” Williford stated. He emphasized the importance of a diverse range of perspectives within the Board.
Jen Kash works as a program manager for Pearson, an international education company. Her role involves budgeting and quality assurance, skills she believes are essential for the district. Having previously worked as a teaching assistant at Briarwood Elementary School, Kash expressed her desire to ensure the curriculum is based on proven success, while also addressing safety and staff shortages. “Warren County really needs leaders with these strong business skills and experiences,” she said.
Janet Burks is a retired educator with extensive experience in various roles over her 31 years in education. She currently substitutes at both WCPS and the Bowling Green Independent School District. Burks highlighted her past as a school guidance counselor and a coach, which enriched her understanding of education. Her focus is on school safety, aiming to ensure a resource officer is present in every school.
Top Priorities for the Candidates
Each candidate has outlined their main priorities for the upcoming term. Jen Kash plans to prioritize enhancing student achievement and bridging the achievement gaps among students. She also aims to address the safety and health of all students and staff while developing innovative strategies for attracting and retaining teachers.
Janet Burks is committed to advocating for school resource officers in each school, addressing a significant safety concern. She expressed a desire to promote a traditional curriculum that emphasizes American values, including responsibility and good citizenship. Burks noted, “Experience is one of the most wonderful attributes anyone can have, and I hope that the voters can let my experience work for them.”
Lloyd Williford emphasized the importance of completing construction projects to accommodate the growing number of students in the district. With WCPS showing an increase of about 640 students since last year, he stated, “So, we need to build fast but of course safely.” He also highlighted the unique challenges that arose from COVID-19 and recent tornado damages, but he believes the district has learned to be more efficient during challenges.
Stance on Amendment 2
All candidates expressed opposition to Amendment 2, a proposed change to the state constitution that would facilitate public funding for non-traditional education options, such as private school vouchers. Burks cautioned about the implications of slicing funding thinly and encouraged voters to examine the amendment carefully. Williford added that while the idea of choice sounds appealing, it’s not simple, and Kash emphasized the need to keep public dollars within public education to ensure all children, especially those with disabilities, are supported.
Conclusion
As the election approaches, the candidates are eager to share their visions with the community and share their commitment to improving the education system in Warren County. Voting day marks an opportunity for community members to select their representative for a four-year term on the Board of Education, where they will play a critical role in shaping policies affecting education in the region.
