The Platte County R-3 School District Board of Education race featured three candidates, including one incumbent, vying for two spots on the board.
Candidates for the board were current board president Shawn Chiddix as well as former board member Alisha Elliott and newcomer John Ready.
Chiddix retained his seat on the board, earning 36 percent of the vote. Elliott also won a seat, taking 37 percent. Ready received 25 percent.
The district also had a question on the ballot, seeking to issue $62 million in general obligation bonds for the second phase of reconstruction of Platte County High School, site amenities at Platte Purchase Middle School, playground facilities at Pathfinder Elementary School and parking improvements at Compass Elementary School. The passage rate for the bond issuance was four-sevenths -- 57 percent. The question passed easily, receiving 67 percent approval.
Chiddix, 47, is from Kansas City. Married, he has two teenage children and has worked as a regulator within the securities industry for more than 25 years.
Both of his children have attended the Platte County School District since kindergarten. In addition to experiencing the district as a parent, he said he has the unique perspective of being married to a teacher at Platte City Middle School.
Elliott, 46, is from Winchester, Kan. Married, she has two teenage children and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas.
Elliott said she ran for the board to give back to the community and contribute to the improvement of the schools and district.
“I served on the school board from 2019 to 2022 and have been actively involved in the schools, as I have daughters in both middle and high school,” she said. “As a parent, I stay informed about what is happening in our schools and understand the perspectives of teachers and other members of the district community.”
Elliott said the growth within the district is exciting, but it also brings challenges regarding how to effectively educate the influx of new students.