The Fort Thomas Independent Schools District is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the Board, representing the district at large. This will be effective until the end of December 2024.
There are many responsibilities involved in this position, including setting policies to govern the district, hiring/evaluating the superintendent, levying taxes, and adopting the district budget.
Julie Kuhnhein, one of four candidates for the vacancy, said, “The main responsibility of the board is to hire and evaluate the Superintendent, who in turn, oversees the district. Informally, we talk with members of the community and raise concerns, as is appropriate.”
There are also requirements such as being at least 24 years old and a Kentucky citizen for the last three years, being a registered voter in the particular district of the vacancy, having completed the 12th grade or having a GED certificate, meeting all other legal qualifications, and complete required annual in-service training.
The new candidates running for this position are Karen Franz and Noah Gibson, and the returning candidates are Julie Kuhnhein and Jeff Beach.
Kuhnhein stated some requirements for the position.
“Anyone interested in running for school board has to submit a petition of nomination with their basic information and some signatures of nominators in the community. We used to have to submit a high school transcript – which was an eye-opening exercise to revisit course grades and ACT scores – but a law was just passed that removed that requirement,”
All candidates have many things to offer for the Fort Thomas Independent School District.
Kuhnhein and Beach have been in Fort Thomas for several years,. Beach is serving his fourth term on the Board of Education, having served previously during 2000-2004 and again beginning in 2008.
Kuhnhein has been involved with the Fort Thomas School District since 2001. She began her board service in January 2021. During her 10 years there, Kuhnhein taught various Social Studies courses, worked with We the People, and started the Mock Trial program
This is Kuhnhein’s second term running for this position.
“Running for a second term is different in that you have gone through the act of campaigning and an election before. You also have much better knowledge about board service and what you will be doing, although there can be changes based on new laws or something like a global pandemic! This time I am running unopposed, meaning there are two individuals running for two spots, so it will certainly be less nerve-racking on election night awaiting the results.”
Noah Gibson, also a candidate for the position, has been a lifelong resident of Fort Thomas and has shared his experience.
Gibson said, “I am the proud father of a Moyer 5th grader and a graduated Highlands student. As a lifelong Fort Thomas resident and son to a retired Highlands math teacher, Jan Majors, I am honored and proud to run for school board in a community where I was raised and educated. I believe that parent involvement along with fundamental curricula are essential to the school’s success. The long-standing traditional values and excellence of our great schools are my priorities and I look forward to being a voice for students, parents, and teachers.”
Unfortunately, Karen Franz and Jeff Beach did not respond in time for press time.
