Vote Molly Starr Nov. 4th
School Board Member Candidate
USD 497
Lawrence Public Schools
FAQs
What does a School Board do?
School board members make a difference by (Kansas Association of School Boards [KASB]):
Planning for the district's future
Advocating for student success
Engaging with key stakeholder groups
Networking with community leaders
Guiding responsible and effective uses of taxpayer dollars
Can I vote for you?
Check your voter status and get sample ballots at: https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview/
When should I register to vote in the General Election?
Tuesday, October 14 - Deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration information to participate in the 2025 general election.
Wednesday, October 15 - First day of advance voting. Advance ballots by mail are transmitted. In-person advance voting may begin.
Tuesday, October 28 - In-person advance voting must begin.
Tuesday, November 4 - General Election (All advance ballots by mail must be postmarked by Election Day and received by Friday, November 7; https://sos.ks.gov/elections/important-election-dates.html)
When do I register to vote for the primary election on Aug. 5?
Make sure to vote in the Primary Election.
July 15 - Deadline to register for primary elections
July 16 - Advance voting begins, mail in ballots are transmitted and in-person advance voting may begin.
July 29 - In-person advance voting must begin.
August 5 - Primary Election (https://sos.ks.gov/elections/important-election-dates.html)
Should I be concerned about school vouchers?
If passed, school vouchers will defund public schools. Ann Mah, retired KS Board of Education member, in public testimony opposing SB 87 (tax credit vouchers) describes the following:
“If a family with three students, say, 1st, 3rd, and 8th grade, leaves a school, the school can lose $25,000-$30,000 in funding (assuming the students are on free and reduced lunch). However, the school saves nothing in expenses. They must continue to provide the same number of teachers, bus routes, and classrooms as before. For small, rural schools near metro areas, this can be particularly devastating if a few families leave. (Mah 2025)”
What is your background?
I have a Master of Architecture degree from KU. I have a background in healthcare architecture. I currently work part-time as an architectural consultant and document designer.
Why have you decided to run?
I fell in love with Lawrence as a student at KU. When the opportunity arose three years ago to move back, my family and I jumped at the chance to raise our two kiddos in a bikeable, small city with a low teacher-to-student ratio in a district that provides nationally competitive schools.
I am grateful for our experience here, and I would like to give back to the community in an active way by listening to and advocating for Lawrence families, teachers, and educators at the school-board level.
Is there a specific issue you would like to address if elected?
I would like to focus on improving communication between the school board and Lawrence citizens. Often parents and teachers can feel left out of conversations or unable to reach someone for help.
Communication should meet people where they are, as those doing the work do not have time to weed through long emails or meetings to get the kernel of information they need.
It will be a top goal of mine to help explain current and upcoming situations in order to attempt to repair lines of communication between the school district and community members, pushing forward the idea of “All students. One team.”
How do I run for school board?
The Lawrence school board has seven (7) seats, with members serving four-year staggered terms. In the 2025 election, three (3) seats will be up for election. The deadline to register as a candidate for the 2025 school board election was June 2nd at noon.
Become a Candidate: https://www.dgcoks.gov/county-clerk/voting-and-elections/become-a-candidate
About Me
I am a transplant to Lawrence, having returned three years ago after falling in love with Lawrence while attending KU. I have a Master of Architecture from KU, and a background in healthcare architecture.
I volunteer for HopeBUILDERS—helping older adults and people with disabilities live in safe, accessible and healthy homes; participate with Douglas County Emergency Management as a CERT volunteer; am involved with the Woodlawn Elementary Site Council and PTO; and enjoy a kickball game when I can.
Social Updates
Need help buying food for your children when school is out for summer?
The SUN Bucks program is a $120 one-time benefit per eligible child to help Kansas families.
Learn more at: SUNBucks.dcf.ks.gov
Students who received free or reduced-priced lunch may be automatically enrolled and should have received a letter from DCF in January indicating they were eligible, with funds automatically showing up on their Kansas Benefits (EBT) card starting May 28th.
Children can participate in SUN Bucks AND Summer Food Service Programs offered in their community. Families are encouraged to use both of these great resources!
Households can update their address by calling DCF Customer Service at 1.888.369.4777 or through the DCF self-service portal at dcfapp.kees.ks.gov.
