Compared to those from other districts, candidates for the Hickman Mills school board are more likely to say that teachers are paid about the right amount.
That answer comes a couple years after voters approved a tax increase to give teachers a dramatic raise, lifting their salaries from the lowest in the Kansas City area to the highest.
But in response to a questionnaire from The Beacon, some candidates raised other concerns about spending in the district.
One candidate said the board needs to “filet the school budget” and get rid of waste and abuse “just like DOGE on the federal level.” Another questioned the wisdom of a school-sponsored trip to Africa.
Ahead of the April 8 election, five candidates are vying for two spots on the board. Members serve three-year terms.
Four of the five candidates completed The Beacon’s questionnaire, which also asked about immigration enforcement in schools, transgender students and the use of cellphones and AI in the classroom.
The fifth, Vanessa Claborn, said she had trouble accessing the survey form and then did not respond to questions sent to her over email by the time of publication. Instead, she sent The Beacon her resume and some information about her background.
The Hickman Mills Missouri National Education Association has endorsed Beth Boerger and Tramise Carter.
Hickman Mills is a south Kansas City district that also covers small parts of neighboring suburbs. It is located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City.
If you’re not sure what district you live in, check your sample ballot.
Responses have been edited for grammar, clarity and Associated Press style. Some of Clifford Ragan’s responses have also been edited for length to fit within word limits given to candidates.
Meet the Hickman Mills school board candidates
Teresa Murphy
Occupation: Processing associate for Amazon
Background and qualifications: I have a bachelor of arts in art education from the Herron School of Art and Design (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis), and I taught K-12 for almost two years at Indianapolis Public Schools. I also worked as a substitute in various school districts.
Twitter: @erinsmomtoo
Facebook: facebook.com/Teresa.murphy.9889
Instagram: instagram.com/teresa.murphy.9889
TikTok: @ErinsMomToo
Beth Boerger (incumbent)
Occupation: Retired
Background and qualifications: I worked for 12 years in accounting at the Grandview C-4 Board of Education office. I worked for 10 years as a school bookkeeper for the Kansas City, Missouri, School District. I am completing my first term as a school board member.
Tramise Carter
Occupation: General clerk
Background and qualifications: I lived in the community for 14 years.
Clifford Ragan III
Occupation: Customer service representative working with fraud, security officer.
Background and qualifications: I’m a single parent father of three young men who attended the Hickman Mills School District. I served on the Hickman Mills Board of Education in 2017-2020 as vice president for one year and director for two years. I’m very knowledgeable about board policies and procedures.
Vanessa Claborn
Claborn said she had trouble accessing the survey form and then did not respond to questions sent to her over email more than a week before publication. She emailed The Beacon her platform and resume.
In an email, Claborn said she has lived in the district for more than 45 years and has two children who graduated from the district and one grandchild currently in the district. She has been a volunteer teachers aide for five years.
According to her resume, she has more than 30 years of experience working in IT for various agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has owned and operated a small custom graphics business since 2006 and has served in various volunteer, appointed and elected positions.
Her priorities include regaining full accreditation for the district by guiding and supporting teachers to develop literacy and attendance plans, continuous improvements and multi-tiered structures of support. She wants to promote family values, safe communities and “transparency when it comes to how our property taxes are being spent.”
Multiple-choice questions
Immigration enforcement in schools
Murphy: We have to follow the law. I can’t imagine a scenario where ICE wouldn’t be discreet. I don’t think they’d barge into a classroom. I think instead they would have the student go to the office.
Boerger: If they have a specific court order the principal should inform the superintendent’s office. The superintendent’s office should contact the district legal team for further instructions per board policy that governs Interview and removal of students.
Carter: This will be an administrative decision, after carrying out the policy of the board.
Ragan: My school district will make sure all students will be protected under the watch of Hickman Mills School District. Also, policies and procedures will be into play so no one has to worry about the situation.
Teacher compensation
Murphy: A small pay raise and smaller class sizes.
Boerger: Recently, a levy increase was passed that provided great pay increases to our teachers and staff. It would be my goal to find the means in the budget to continue to increase pay. NEA represents the teachers to discuss these issues.
Carter: The Hickman Mills School District for years has been the lowest paid district to its teachers. Finally we are able to move from number 10 to number 1.
Ragan: Due to lack of business in our district the TIF funding is very low for teachers, plus the government hasn’t made a decision to pay teachers all across the United States of America what they deserve.
Transgender students
*The final option, which no candidates selected, was: “Ensure that transgender students can use the pronouns, name and bathroom that make them most comfortable.”
Murphy: The Trump administration has said there are only two sexes: M (XY) and F (XX). Other schools in other states have allowed transgendered students to use the bathroom of their choice, and a female student was raped as a result.
Boerger: The Missouri courts have ruled on this. All students shall feel safe at school.
Carter: The district should never make these kinds of decisions, without the input from the parents.
Ragan: My school district and its school board should make sure that their policies and procedures are put in place to protect all students of gender, race and religion along with their rights.
State government advocacy
*The other options were: “Advocate for those changes” and “Advocate for some, but not all, of those changes.”
Murphy: I think we have a great opportunity to make Hickman Mills an excellent school. Parents in our district may opt for a private religious school. But the taxpayer money should go to Hickman Mills.
Boerger: Public schools educate ALL students. Money should never be taken away from public education so open enrollment, charter schools and private schools can cherry pick the best athletes and the brightest students!
Carter: Charter schools do not have to meet the same standards as regular public schools. Their governance is different. And they do not have to meet the same requirements as a regular school district.
Ragan: If the government defunds public education many middle-class and low-income families of students will not be able to afford a private school and graduate with a diploma.
Sensitive topics
Murphy: We need to focus on what the parents want us to focus on: math, reading, spelling and handwriting. We could do the Creating Positive Relationships program for sex education. It focuses on abstinence. Parents need to have discussions with their children.
Boerger: As a district we celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Carter: These are very sensitive issues for public schools. And this should be handled with care due to the national climate relative to these issues.
Ragan: Because the world is changing each and every day and we want to make sure that our policies and procedures stay updated.
Technology in schools
Murphy: Teachers have cellphone policies for their classrooms. Technology is here to stay and it’s their future. Many teachers have incorporated the use of iPads into their lessons.
Boerger: While I have difficulties accepting phones in the classroom for personal use, I see where the district must keep up with artificial intelligence and new technology. Our students must be prepared for the now and the future.
Carter: Students should only be allowed to use cellphones in case of an emergency. Teachers should be informed about the emergency. And determine its nature. Only computers should be allowed in the classrooms for educational purposes.
Ragan: Cellphones should be taken in the morning or never brought to school. Cellphones distract students. Every day in America, we see identity theft. Criminals have used voice recognition through artificial intelligence to steal from hardworking people, so I will be against using it in the district.
Bond issues
Murphy: We need to filet the school budget. Just like DOGE on the federal level, we too need to get rid of waste and abuse. There may be enough money in the budget already to fulfill any needs.
Boerger: N/A
Carter: I support the bond issues as a parent/citizen and a member of the school board. I believe the bond supports improvements needed in the district to achieve and support students’ education.
Ragan: My school district doesn’t have a bond issue to vote on this year.
If elected to the school board, what would you do to improve outcomes for students in your district?
Murphy: I think we need smaller class sizes for the teachers. We need to make sure we focus on the basics of education and that the students have a strong foundation. We need to hold back students who are not academically ready to move to the next grade. I think we should have fresh nutritious lunches.
Boerger: I will read all documents provided by the district to prepare for meetings. I will attend and participate in board meetings, school functions and community meetings. I will lobby at the city and state level for my district and public education.
Carter: The school board hires a qualified superintendent that has the knowledge and experience to make the necessary changes. It’s the board’s role to request from the superintendent a course of action that can be implemented where our students have significant improvements in all areas.
Ragan: If elected I would like to improve community relations. Right now it needs repairing, because without a good community relationship it will be hard to pass bonds in the future.
What is your biggest concern about the school board’s recent decisions or actions? Or where do you see room for improvement?
Murphy: I think that instead of always approving the budget, the budget needs to be picked apart and scrutinized. Specials teachers need to be given their allotment for supplies. We also need to explore nutritious lunch options for all grade levels. We have the opportunity to make a difference in kids’ lives.
Boerger: I believe our board is making progress. Of course, there is always room for growth. With ongoing professional development, I am sure our focus will stay on the students, staff and community.
Carter: On occasions the board had difficulties with governance. As a board member I will do everything I can to follow the rules, roles and responsibilities. I will urge other members of the board to do the same.
Ragan: Some members of the board along with teachers and some students took a trip to Africa. I’m not opposed to trips, but what did we accomplish going to Africa that helps our school district regain accreditation? Those tax dollars should have been invested in programs to help our students with reading, writing and arithmetic.