In the West Platte School District, three candidates are running for two seats on the board of education.
Julie Romano is running against Tyler French and Robert Roediger Jr., neither of whom responded to the Citizen's election questionnaire.
Romano, 39, is originally from Montrose, Colo. Married, she has two young children and graduated from Colorado College and Avila University. She works as a grant manager for University of Kansas Medical Center and spent several years at Benedictine College, where she ran the Disability Services Office, assisting students who needed accommodations.
“I have spent my whole career in education,” she said. “At Benedictine, I evaluated requests for academic accommodations. Most of the students had received special education in K-12, so I’m familiar with the importance of and the requirements for IEPs and 504 plans.”
Romano said her parents both spent their careers in public schools.
“They taught me that schools are a reflection of the community, and that it’s the responsibility of the entire community to make sure the schools are thriving,” she said. “My husband and I moved to Weston because of the school district, and it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Our daughter Agnes is now in third grade and loves being at West Platte, and Gloria, our other child, is counting down the days until she can start kindergarten in the fall. Serving on the school board would allow me to give back and to help ensure that all the children in the district are welcomed, valued and challenged.”
Romano said she is open to new ideas and is willing to listen to any concerned parent or community member who has thoughts on the direction of the district.
“West Platte needs to remain a competitive employer so we can hire and retain the best teachers and staff,” she said. “This means strong pay and benefits, but also a good relationship with the administration, small class sizes and quality facilities. I think it is also critical to have a plan for future growth in the district. We should be open to changes in curriculum to better prepare for future jobs and to teach the soft skills necessary for success. Also, I support exploring the addition of boys and girls soccer to the athletic offerings.”