conway school board election 2023

He previously ran the Horry County school board. He added that Franklin and Geier will both have several training opportunities over the summer and fall as they settle into their roles. What is your position on the recent controversy over sexually inappropriate books in the school libraries? Franklins youngest daughter, LaShanta Johnson, is an assistant basketball coach and the head tennis coach in the Conway School District but announced today that she has been named head womens basketball coach in the Russellville School District. UPDATED 03/12/22: Candidates in red below withdrew upon their request after approval of the Election Commission at its March 11 meeting. Franklin has experience as a Head Start teacher and spent 28 years working as a juvenile probation and intake officer. No one has ever made it clear how the schools can check every student entering and leaving a bathroom, sometimes in a hurry. Got a hot tip? (NWA Media). Those areas are better taught at home. "I am excited and eager to get to know our new board members as we work together.". Since I am a strong conservative, there was zero chance of either gaining or losing support from the Democrats," Milburn said in an interview Tuesday. Jennifer Cunningham: 3301. Our teachers just want to teach and love their students. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. A 1980 graduate of Conway High School, Franklin has two grandchildren who are students in the district, as well as a daughter who coaches and teaches in the district. Advertisement In a post Sunday, a woman named Cassie Hill took to Facebook to encourage. Contact us here. 265 talking about this. However, when they legislated it, they ostracized the kids.. Milburn does not have a campaign website, but billboards promoting his campaign say "conservative." We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. We must serve everyone. Faulkner County has seen a very high turnout for a school election, according to the election commissions office. When the leader of our state decided to publicly endorse my opponent, it was disappointing but not surprising. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. "I'm looking forward to the upcoming board meeting and working together with my fellow board members and the Superintendent. Conway Zone 1 Milburn also said he believes every student has the right to receive the best education in an environment thats safe from bullying. There were 4,091 votes cast, more than 9% of registered voters, during the five days of early voting. List of school board elections by date The table below breaks down these elections in chronological order. A third candidate who dropped out during the campaign, Jess Disney . I would like for us to get to a point where transparency becomes very easy and there is nothing to hide. If someones platform or values are focused only on being Conservative, Republican, Liberal, or Democrat, then I dont understand how they could truly serve the people who dont look like me, think like me, or believe like me. Help us deliver the latest daily reporting and analysis on news, politics, culture and food in Arkansas. They pledge to focus on students education, not divisive issues in Conway. Updated April 12, 2023. Please read our Terms of Use or contact us. Antoinette Grajeda is a multimedia journalist who has reported since 2007 on a wide range of topics, including politics, health, education, immigration and the arts for NPR affiliates, print publications and digital platforms. School Board Election Day is May 9. "I really believe we are at a new chapter for Conway schools," Disney said. The Faulkner County Election Commission announced the results late Tuesday night. "I'm excited about the work ahead and I think the future in Conway public schools is extremely bright. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Print Headline: 2 new Conway School Board members to take their seats ADVERTISEMENT Her daughter was one of the coaches affected by, a directive to not wear Celebrate Black History t-shirts, Although candidate Jess Disney remains on the ballot, she endorsed Franklin, Disney called Franklin the right choice in a, For more information about elections in your community, including polling sites and sample ballots, visit at, States with low election turnout did little in 2023 to, The fight against an age-old effort to block Americans from, Across the country, a big backlash to new renewables is. If you are a registered voter in Conway, please vote May 2-9! Sheila Franklin wins election for the Conway School Board at-large position and Trey Geier wins Zone 5 position in May 9 election both beating . There were 4,091 votes cast, more than 9% of registered voters, during the five days of early voting. Antoinette Grajeda is a multimedia journalist who has reported since 2007 on a wide range of topics, including politics, health, education, immigration and the arts for NPR affiliates, print publications and digital platforms. Serving on the Conway School Board is an opportunity to help ensure that Conway Public School District provides services and opportunities to nurture, educate and advance all students, she said. The city had 64,134 residents as of 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau. Geier is facing incumbent Bill Milburn, who was appointed to the board in October to replace Scott Champlin who resigned in September. Heather Kendrick, who earlier this year resigned from the Conway School District where she had been the communications specialist for several years, was also celebrating. Thank you all for your trust. Tax dollars should not be used to put books that are sexually explicit in our school libraries. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. I feel Conway teachers work very hard to provide the best education we can for all of our students, and I believe the approach by the states Republican Party failed.. "I think our main focus should be to continue working together as a team of eight and maintain a student-centered approach to everything we do," Collum said. I will support and represent this city well. According to the Advocate, the Faulkner County Republican Committee contributed $400 in cash and $824 in advertising to Milburns campaign. Franklin has worked as a Head Start teacher and a juvenile probation and intake officer, she said.Franklins daughter, LaShanta Johnson, was one of the districts coaches who in February were barred from wearing Celebrate Black History shirts. Student Transportation Program Review. Conway Board Member, Chair Michael DiGregorio - Term Expires 2026: School Treasurer Mary-Anne Lane - 2 Year Term, Expires 2025: . With 7,502 ballots cast, the elections drew the largest turnout in Conway for a stand-alone school board election that wasnt on a primary or general-election ballot, said Faulkner County Clerk Margaret Darter. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. The current board has largely ignored or shut down protests and bowed to right-wing demands to ban books, make it harder for transgender students to use the restroom without unintentionally outing themselves, and criticize underpaid and overworked teachers by complaining about indoctrination in the classrooms. The annual school board election is in the books for the Conway School District, and voters elected two new members. Im married to one. 7, 2023 at 3:24 PM PDT. Sarah Huckabee Sanders partisan meddling in Tuesdays elections. In addition, voters were in favor of a tax for Conway School Mills with 4,259 voting yes and 2,901 voting no. Extra curriculars are offered to broaden/enhance their lives athletically (sports) and artistically (band, choir, theater, etc.). 2023 School Election Calendar: Click here. Single. Franklin unseated incumbent Jennifer Cunningham in the election. Kendrick told teachers, principals, support staff and other school district employees that you are seen, heard, and valued.. I believe parents should have full knowledge of what their children are being taught., Cunningham was first elected in 2018 and is the boards current vice president. Voters supporting the victories of two challengers to conservative Conway School Board incumbents celebrated at an election watch party, on social media, with pictures of hugs and tears and with plenty of exclamation points. If so, what and why? Randi House, the Arkansas Teacher of the Year in 2018 and a Conway kindergarten teacher, celebrated on Facebook with this post: There were so many happy tears at Sheila Franklins watch party tonight. Faulkner County Reports 2018 - 2023. Print Headline: School board hopefuls speak at forum, Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Why or why not? A University of Arkansas alumna, she earned a bachelors degree in print journalism and a masters degree in documentary film. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today. School board races in Arkansas are nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run under any political party's banner. Conway, Arkansas. Theres absolutely no place for that in the [Conway School District.] "We are a public school and I think the public should be able to attend whatever meeting the public wants to be at. Cunningham is vice president of the school board and a concerned parent, according to her campaign literature. Conway residents were encouraged to attend the event at the McGee Center in Conway to talk with the candidates about the future of the board after months of contention over its actions. I believe we need to ensure equitable and quality education for all of our students by creating an inclusive learning environment through policies that support and nurture every child in our school district regardless of their background, identity or ability. Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. All the candidates say theyre focused on education for our kids. So, if elected, what are your plans to help improve our reading scores? Franklin will be representing the at-large position, formerly held by Cunningham. He assumed office on January 9, 2023. Im super excited both of us won and well be able to represent the community well.. I believe parents should have full knowledge of what their children are being taught., GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX. * Jennifer Cunningham, whos running for re-election to a Conway city-wide at-large seat and As a current board member, I voted in favor of the removal of two sexually explicit books from Conway school libraries. Trey Geier also defeated incumbent Bill Milburn in Zone 5 by 113 votes. We have not adequately prepared for the impact of Arkansas LEARNS.. Conway left office on January 3, 2023. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. If a person is running their campaign on the values of being Conservative, Democratic, Republican, Liberal, etc., that would make me believe those are the only people who you will choose to serve. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Many of those topics were taken from Citizens for Renewing America, a right-wing Washington outfit, though Conways proposal added references to gender and sexuality. Disney withdrew from the race and endorsed Franklin, but Disneys name remained on the ballot and her votes were counted. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. in Arkansas, will serve the rest of Champlins term, which expires in 2024. , Milburn said the district has a strong conservative board that has proven it is not afraid to take a stand on controversial issues., I believe a teacher should teach their subject and avoid trying to indoctrinate their students in areas like politics, religion or social issues, he said. April 12, 2023. There is absolutely no room for politics in a public school. According to campaign finance reports, Cunningham received $2,900 from the Republican Party of Arkansas, $1,000 from Faulkner County Republican Women and $500 from the Faulkner County Republican Committee. "The transition for our two newest school board members I'm told have been good," Acklin said in an email Thursday. He won in the general election on November 8 . We explore the organization, responsibilities, and management of our government to provide factual information so taxpayers can understand how our elected officials make decisions, set policy, and spend our taxes. I believe that the school board should focus mainly on educating our kids, all of our kids.. His current term ends on January 13, 2025. April 29, 2023. Help us deliver the latest daily reporting and analysis on news, politics, culture and food in Arkansas. Challengers beat two incumbents in contentious Conway School Board elections. They are educating our students, and its an insult and slap in these professionals faces to speak anything different. At the same meeting, the board also voted to ban two books dealing with transgender issues but didnt target a single book about cisgender heterosexuals. Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined the fray today and endorsed the two self-styled conservative incumbents. Cunningham was first elected in 2018 and is the boards current vice president. Although we contacted all the candidates in the May 9 races, our request was ignored by the two non-conservative candidates. Faulkner County is home to the Conway School Board, which drew much attention when, it unanimously approved bathroom restrictions. Donahue seizes lead in chase for "King of the Road" title. It is important that we are focused on providing the best education for every student.. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Though Cunningham says little at board meetings, she has been vocal in campaign literature and on Facebook during the campaign. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The community of Conway sent a message in this election that we want to see our school and community move in a different direction.. It should not take on the role of parents, guide them on social issues or promote any one agenda. Here's the responses to our Conway School Board Voters Guide from Jennifer Cunningham, who currently holds one of two "at-large" seats on the Board and is running for re-election on May 9. Milburn, who was later appointed to the board to fill a vacancy, was not on the panel at the time but has defended the restroom policy, saying it was a compromise. approved in March that restricts childrens access to bathrooms and changing areas based on their sex assigned at birth. Faulkner County. I have a passion for educators, and it hurts my heart to hear leaders talking about our teachers are indoctrinating our students. Voters approved a millage proposal, which would maintain the current tax levy and not raise it. The board has also faced controversy for banning some books that discuss LGBTQ romance, drafting a policy that limits which words teachers can say and deleting staff emails after three days. . People who look like you, believe like you, think like you, and have the same advantages or disadvantages as you, she added. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. . I am excited to announce my intention to be a candidate in the upcoming 2023 Spring election for the Conway School Board At-Large seat. The school board election is set for May 9. Ultimately, I will gladly follow whatever guidelines our legislature lays out governing FOIA. Election Day Voting for Conway School Board. May 9, 2023. Connie Conway (Republican Party) was a member of the U.S. House, representing California's 22nd Congressional District.Conway assumed office on June 14, 2022. I actually love to read. The Arkansas Advocate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to tough, fair daily reporting and investigative journalism that holds public officials accountable and focuses on the relationship between the lives of Arkansans and public policy. Franklin is a former Head Start teacher and juvenile probation/intake officer. Her nearly five years on the board has enhanced her understanding of what it takes to help lead . Paul Oh, Director, Public Policy & Community Affairs770-232-8804 or pauloh@gwinnettchamber.org. 2022 School Election Results 2023 School Election Results. Here's the responses to Voters Guide questions that Faulkner County Reports sent to candidates in Conway School District's two contested races for School Board. Thursday, May 11th 2023. However, the need for our transparency to the public is greater than any burden FOIA places on us. Primaries will be held September 5, and the general election will be held November 7. Cunningham and Milburn did not reference the Republican party on their campaign pages, but they said they offered a conservative choice for voters. On her campaign page, Cunningham said student safety is important, and said she funded three additional school resource officers during her first five years on the board. Example video title will go here for this video, Dan Quinn is still to blame for costing Atlanta Falcons |Hittin Hard With Jon Chuckery| 7/12/23 Pt 2. Location. Faulkner County has seen a "very high turnout for a school election," according to the election commission's office. Sheila Franklin wins election for the Conway School Board at . The board has also faced controversy for banning some books that discuss LGBTQ romance, drafting a policy that limits which words teachers can say and deleting staff emails after three days. View All Photos. I believe a teacher should teach their subject and avoid trying to indoctrinate their students in areas like politics, religion or social issues, he said. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Referring to Franklin and Geier, Duran said, Two advocates with great calmness, staying steadfast to the concept that the greatest resource to our towns future is to be cherished and nurtured, not stifled and shunned because of their differences, made the most impact on the most vulnerable and their families. Milburn was appointed to the Zone 5 seat after Scott Champlin resigned from the post in September. Franklin said the hurt she saw in her daughter and in the community after the episode only fueled her desire to make a difference on the board. Greenbrier School District holds its election in November. Here's the responses to our Conway School Board Voters Guide from School Board candidate, incumbent Bill Milburn, who currently represents District 5 and is running for re-election. The board also got pushback for asking an attorney to draft a marathon list of topics that some on the far right apparently believe should be forbidden in classrooms. There will be plenty of opportunities for both of them to learn their new roles as school board members.". Elected Offices. Tuesday May 02, 2023 - Friday May 05, 2023 and Monday May 08, 2023. Peter Scheer, Executive Director, the First Amendment Coalition, Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.
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