School Board Candidate

Jennifer Kerns

About

My name is Jennifer Kerns. I am currently running for SJSD School Board on the April 8th, 2025 Ballot.  Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a mother of two daughters, ages 23 and 15, who were raised in Saint Joseph and attended/are attending SJSD public schools. I have been an active volunteer with the school district by working on Committees, supporting school sports and Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Currently, I am the Council PTA Vice President for Saint Joseph and work closely with SJSD. I am actively participating in the following organizations as well: Project Graduation Committee, Junior League, Interserv, and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.).  In 2022, I Graduated with the United Way Leadership of St Joseph. I have currently worked for Oracle, as an Integrated Technologies Consultant, for the last two years after furthering my education to a bachelor’s degree. I worked for Mosaic for 17 years prior.

Contact/Social

Email: jenniferkernsforsjsdboard@gmail.com

Our Candidate Summary

These assessments are based on the answers or lack of answers supplied by the candidates.

Jennifer on the Issues

Why have you decided to run for the Saint Joseph School Board?

What are the strengths you will bring to the school board?

What can be done to address the poor English proficiency and Math Proficiency scores that are being generated by kids in our school system? English scores reflect that students are only 32% proficient and math scores are coming in at 38% proficient --- both below the state average.

Where do you stand on the 4-day/week school schedule proposal?

Do you understand the District's Annual Budget, and what are your plans to get your arms around the details of that budget and evaluate where and how Tax taxpayer dollars are being spent?

Where do you stand on the proposed Bond Renewal of $20 million when the District Administration has no impactful plan to utilize that money to better educate our children? Passing that bond issue would cost the taxpayers 26 cents per $100 of access property value- approximately $3.2 million annually.

What is your position on general levy Tax increases to increase the school district's annual budget?

What is your position on the current redistricting proposal?

What is your position on the proposal to build one or two new high schools replacing the three older facilities that currently exist?

What is your approach to school safety? What is your position on metal detectors, security guards, and safety training for our teachers and administrators?

How do you feel about the current approach to special education within the school district?

What do you see as the most significant challenges teachers face within the district?

What will be your approach to working with the school district administration?

Do you support transgender-inclusive or lgbtq+ policies for schools such as bathroom and locker room inclusion based on someone's preferred gender?

Would you encourage the introduction of materials into the school system based on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and other "woke" ideologies?

What is your position on notifying parents if a child is considering something harmful to their bodies – whether it is gender-related or other? What will you do about the current movement to limit a parent's involvement?

Do you identify as socially/politically liberal or conservative?

Any additional information?

Public Forum – Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 pm @ Grace Calvary Chapel

Public Forum – Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 pm @ Grace Calvary Chapel

Public Forum – Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 pm @ Grace Calvary Chapel

Public Forum – Wednesday, March 20, 6:30 pm @ Grace Calvary Chapel