This race faces off incumbent board member Diane Albert against newcomer Mackenzi Truelove. Both advanced from a primary race with four candidates.
In this Q&A, we summarized the candidates’ responses to the questions they were asked during a forum held on Tues., Oct. 14.
Meet the Candidates
Diane Albert, 43
Occupation: Former Business Owner
Facebook: Diane Albert for Wichita School Board – USD 259
I currently represent District 1 and serve as School Board President. My focus has been elevating student achievement and making district operations more efficient — separating facilities oversight from academic priorities so board meetings can focus on what matters most: educating students. I’ve worked to elevate the voices of teachers by bringing them into the boardroom so decisions reflect real classroom needs. Strong community relationships are central to my approach, including ongoing meetings with organizations like the NAACP and structured resident roundtables. I believe every student must be future-ready, and that requires good environments for both students and staff.
Mackenzi Truelove, 33
Occupation: Senior Regulatory Coordinator
Facebook: Mackenzi Truelove for School Board USD 259
I began volunteering in 2022, canvassing, phone banking, and advocating at the state level for voting rights and other issues. I am running to be a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion — especially for queer students. Every child deserves to be treated like a human being, not just a number. I believe in ensuring students have safe, welcoming environments and access to mental-health support and community resources. I plan to show up in schools and bring others with me, so the community can see firsthand what’s happening and how we can help schools improve. I want students fed, supported, and surrounded by a caring school community focused on their well-being and success.
Question 1. Bond & Facilities Funding
Would you support a future bond, and under what conditions (oversight, levy constraints, phased approach)?
DA: I support moving forward with another bond through a mill-levy-neutral approach, meaning taxpayers wouldn’t see increases over current levels. However, we must greatly improve communication and ensure people understand that bond dollars cannot be used for salaries — they are restricted funds. The failure last time was partly due to confusion about what the bond covered.
MT: I support I support another bond issue because maintaining current funding is essential. If the existing bond lapses, the district would be left without needed funds. Classrooms should be safe and comfortable — teachers shouldn’t have to move mid-lesson due to extreme heat or students keep coats on because it’s too cold. We need money to maintain and improve school environments. Passing another bond protects students’ well-being and supports learning.
Question 2. Cell Phones in Classrooms
How effective is the current policy, and what improvements would you suggest?
DA: The current policy is strong for elementary and middle schools — it effectively creates a bell-to-bell no-phone environment. High school is different because students often leave campus for lunch and should have phones for safety reasons. I’m open to removing phone use during passing periods, but the larger issue is consistent enforcement. The board sets policy; staff must implement it. Stronger implementation will improve outcomes.
MT: I am open to eliminating phone use during passing periods in high school. Cell phone addiction is real — students chase notifications and online validation instead of building real-world connections. We need to help young people stay present and develop healthy social interactions. A stronger policy could better support learning and student well-being.
Question 3. DOJ Settlement & Discipline Reform
How will you ensure that youth have meaningful input in decisions that affect their lives, and what is one signature initiative you would launch to support youth in District 1?
LD: I have a long track record of empowering youth leadership in Wichita. At the NAACP Youth Council, students led advocacy on wages and education. As councilmember, I will ensure youth not only have a seat at the table but a real voice — from advisory boards to workforce and recreation planning. Before launching new programs, I will audit City finances to redirect funds toward safe, affordable recreation spaces like youth centers and late-night activities that keep kids protected and engaged.
JS: Young people must help design the policies that affect their lives — not as tokens, but true partners. I support requiring youth seats on District Advisory Boards and reviving the Youth Advisory Coalition to unite nonprofits and schools. My first-term youth initiative would create permanent spaces for safe recreation, innovation, and creativity. We’ll measure progress with both data — crime trends and activity participation — and youth narratives, ensuring solutions reflect their lived realities.
Question 4: Teacher Recruitment, Retention & Support
What incentives or support systems would help attract and retain high-quality teachers in challenging schools?
DA: We’ve already prioritized competitive pay and now offer starting teacher salaries above $50,000. We negotiate strong wage packages each year to show respect for the hard work educators do. Recruitment efforts extend beyond Kansas to nearby states, and we use signing bonuses to fill critical support positions like paras and special-education staff. Teaching has never been harder — we must demonstrate value through pay, benefits, and ongoing support to keep talented educators in the district.
MT: Teacher pay must improve — including support staff wages — because it’s hard to live comfortably on current salaries. Housing affordability is a real struggle for many educators. We also need better facilities so teachers can work in comfortable classrooms, and we must improve school climate by tackling behavioral challenges. Bringing community into the schools will support students and help teachers want to stay.
Question 5: Student Poverty & School Meals
With 80% of Wichita school students experiencing poverty, do you support expanding access to free school meals — and if so, how?
DA: Right now, about 80% of our students already qualify for free meals — breakfast, snack, and lunch — and they receive them. Expanding to universal free meals would require removing funding from somewhere else since our budget is limited. If the community wants to shift dollars, I am open to that conversation. For students facing homelessness and instability, federally funded programs like McKinney-Vento already provide food, clothing, shelter help, and support services.
MT: I absolutely support free breakfast and lunch for every student. No child should worry about where their next meal is coming from — it impacts learning, behavior, and overall well-being. Universal meals make life easier for families and remove stigma for kids. I believe there are funding sources and community partnerships we can tap into so every student has consistent access to food. When we feed students, we support their success.
Question 6: DEI + Government Funding Concern
(In this question from the audience) Mackenzi said she was going to push DEI. A a question from the audience was, if she was afraid the school would lose funding from the government over this issue?
DA: Our job is to prepare every student to be future-ready — and there’s no asterisk after “every.” Some students, such as those with dyslexia or other learning needs, require additional support so they can reach the same strong foundation in reading, writing, and math. That has always been the district’s focus. We comply with federal mandates and ensure we are following the law, but we will not back away from meeting the needs of our students. Education is about unlocking potential — helping young people become scientists, writers, artists, or whatever path they choose. That commitment doesn’t change because of political debate.
MT: I recognize that some people worry funding might be threatened, but what matters most is making sure our schools teach accurate, non-revisionist history and support students who truly need help. Equality isn’t the same as equity — some students require more support than others to thrive. When DEI language was removed from the district website earlier this year, I grew concerned that we might abandon the work instead of the wording. I will push to ensure we continue advocating for marginalized students and keep equity at the center of decision-making, even if politics make that harder. Our responsibility is to the kids — their safety, identity, and full humanity.