Three more candidates have entered the USD 383 race.
Katie Allen, Courtney Hochman and Audrey Swartz all filed to run for the USD 383 school board.
Katie Allen
Katie Allen, 46, filed to run for the USD 383 school board on Friday.
After receiving a master’s degree in public administration and doctorate in education leadership from Kansas State University, Allen worked at K-State’s office of Education Innovation and Evaluation. She works as a co-director of McRel International, a technical assistance center, which provides services that improve student outcomes to education agencies in Colorado, Kansas and Missouri.
“As a mother of two children attending Manhattan-Ogden schools, I have a vested interest in the success of our district,” Allen said. “I am passionate about public education, and it is my top priority that our schools have the leadership and resources needed to ensure that every student succeeds. I believe that supporting our educators and staff are foundational to student success.”
Allen said she wants to continue the success of the district and believes that her experience in educational systems can ensure greater outcomes for USD 383.
“While we are fortunate to have great public schools in our community, it is important to ensure that the investments we make moving forward lead to improved academic outcomes for all of our kids,” Allen said. “As a school board member, I will bring the experience of 20-plus years of work on a wide variety of projects — from early childhood education and youth substance use prevention to building a high-quality educator workforce — all focused on helping kids to achieve academic and lifetime success.”
Courtney Hochman
Hochman, 41, also filed to run on Friday.
She said she chooses to be a stay-at-home mom for her children. Hochman previously worked for the Developing Scholars program and for the Honor and Integrity System at Kansas State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary social science, women’s studies and American ethnic studies. She also earned a master’s degree in college student personnel administration.
Hochman said the main reason for launching her run is her two children attend school in the USD 383 district, with her third child expected to attend school in upcoming years.
“I’ve been in this community for a long time. My oldest child is about to be 14, and I’m going to be in this district for a long time,” Hochman said. “There’s things going on in the state and the country that could affect our district, and I just want to make sure that there are lots of voices at the table.”
Hochman wants to ensure that school environments are inclusive, and that staff are comfortable so the district can thrive in learning. One of her initiatives includes changing how the lunch system works in the area.
“The biggest thing I want to accomplish is to make sure that all students, faculty and staff really feel safe and appreciated in the district, that they feel represented and wanted and have a sense of belonging. If any of those things aren’t happening, it can break down learning, it makes a less positive work environment for our staff so just trying to improve that.” Hochman said. “As far as concrete-specific things go, I hope that we can expand our food services for all students so we can try to get eligibility for free breakfast and lunch for all students, like Topeka recently did.”
Audrey Swartz
Audrey Swartz, 39, filed third to run for school board on Friday.
Swartz moved to Manhattan seven years ago to work as a librarian assistant at Kansas State University’s Hale Library. Prior to her K-State employment, Swartz graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law, philosophy and rhetoric from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, with a master’s in library sciences at Wayne State University.
Swartz, also a mother, said the reason she’s running for school board is because she feels that holding the elected position best represents her children’s interests. Being a school board member allows her to improve learning in USD 383.
“I would like to see us continue with the personalized learning that the school board implemented this year, so that we can let students learn at whatever their way and whatever their level is to provide them with the best education possible,” Swartz said.
Backing up school personnel and taking initiative on controversial matters are at the top of Swartz’s initiatives. She feels that it’s time to make a change.
“I’d also like to see us provide better in-school support for students and teachers,” Swartz said. “Burnout is a real thing, and it’s something that we need to be able to address in our schools. I also would like to see the (Manhattan High School Indian) mascot finally change.”
Four board seats are up for grabs in November: those currently held by Kristin Brighton, Darrell Edie, Curt Herrman and Brandy Santos. Brighton and Herrman are running for re-election, while Edie and Santos aren’t.
The three newest candidates join former MHS principal Greg Hoyt, retired military officer Robert Busby, former Radio Shack owner Frank Beer, and Chick-fil-A shift leader Nathan Foth in the USD 383 school board race.
The last date to file for city or school office is at noon on June 1. Election Day is Nov. 7.
