ABOUT SHANNON

My commitment to public education and public service began as a student in a small, rural Kansas school district. I grew up on a farm in western Kansas, earned my bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from KU, and then my law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. I gained valuable policy experience working with public schools as an attorney in private practice and as a policy specialist for the Georgia Department of Education. My husband, Jason, and I returned to Lawrence over 15 years ago to raise our family. We have three children--a recent graduate from Lawrence Public Schools and two current USD 497 students.

As a dedicated public education advocate with a dozen years of experience as a member of the USD 497 Board of Education, I have a deep understanding of the needs of our students and staff, and of the challenges that our students, teachers, and families face. I have the knowledge and skills to continue leading the district forward. I am committed to working tirelessly to provide all students and staff with the resources and support they need to succeed.

I am honored to serve our students and our community as a member of the Lawrence school board. I will continue to work hard to carry on the tradition of excellence in Lawrence Public Schools.

Experienced Leadership For Public Education

Leadership Expertise

3-time USD 497 board president
3-time USD 497 board vice-president
6 1/2-year member of the Kansas Association of School Boards board of directors, including serving 1 year as statewide president, 1 years as president-elect, and 2 1/2 years as past-president

Education Policy Expertise and Advocacy Experience

12 years on the USD 497 board policy committee, leading work to create and adopt the district's first equity policy, district-wide equitable dress code policy, and policy and anti-bullying protections for students and staff including LGBTQ anti-discrimination provisions
4 years on the National School Board Association's policy committee
3 years chairing the Kansas Association of School Board's legislative committee, leading state-wide legislative platform work to oppose school privatization and voucher schemes in Kansas, to support full funding of public education including special education, and to support equal and inclusive opportunities for all students
One term on the board of directors of the National School Board Action Center
Service on numerous district and city committees, including the City of Lawrence Public Incentive Review Committee; board liaison to the Lawrence Schools Foundation board of directors and site councils at numerous USD 497 schools
Service on Governor Kelly's Council on Tax Reform and the Kansas Attorney General's Open Government Training Advisory Committee
Service on Kansas Department of Education's Navigating Change planning committee; Kansas Teacher of the Year selection committee; KASB and NSBA regional and national nominating committees

Planning Expertise

11 years on the USD 497 board's facilities and bond planning committee
Leading advocate for adoption of USD 497's first 5-year strategic plan
1 year on the National School Board Association's strategic planning and visioning teams
1 year on the USD 497 board's boundary committee