By Kellie Houx
KHoux@cherryroad.com

Voters didn’t have a lengthy ballot on April 8, but they decided on a new Gladstone city councilwoman, two new North Kansas City School Board members and the district’s $175 million bond issue to make improvements to facilities across the district.

Newcomer Molly Marie Gibson took 905 votes or 46.96% of the 1,927 votes. Current Gladstone Councilman Bill Garnos received 867 votes or 44.99%.

The counts are listed as unofficial from the Clay County Election Board.

“I’m humbled, ecstatic, but mostly excited,” she said. “I want to help build this community and get more involved. I know I will be diving in, ingesting the knowledge from the other councilmen. I want to help to make an impact.”

Gibson said she did some door knocking, but talked to people wherever she went in Gladstone.

“I have been here a little over 10 years,” she said. “I love the community events and the supportive people.”

Six candidates ran for two seats on the North Kansas City School Board. Aryn Peters took 4,242 votes or 19.47% of the 21,784 total votes. Dr. Dan Wartick took 3,811 votes or 17.49%.

Both Peters and Wartick have backgrounds in education. Wartick served as principal at North Kansas City High School and retired in 2020. Peters has her education specialist in administration and leadership.

“I think the combination of running last year and the support from teachers and staff this year helped me with the votes,” Peters said. “I got my name out there last year. I believe running again showed that I am committed and passionate about public education.”

Peters is also involved as a board of directors member at Beacon Mental Health and on the Northland Chamber of Commerce education and legislative committees.

“One of the biggest things I want to stress is teacher retention and recruitment,” she said. “Teachers are doing what they love, but they take early retirement. We don’t have them as mentors.”

Peters also wants to see what each school needs and dig into that additional support, whether it’s curriculum or more people.

“Then there is the mental health piece,” she said. “What resources are needed for our teachers and staff.”

She also plans to keep up with conversations with state legislators.

Wartick shares a similar stance on teacher retention and recruitment.

“It’s not all about salaries, but benefits and culture. We need to make sure we do our best to retain teachers because we are competing against private sectors as teachers look to leave the profession,” he said.

The North Kansas City School District’s $175 million bond issue to make improvements to facilities across the district. The bond passed with 79.89% of the vote or 8,702 votes, out of 10,892 votes total.

The North Kansas City Schools released a thank-you on X, “Our sincere thanks to all those who showed up to the polls to support our students, staff & community. We’re excited to get started and so grateful for the incredible support of the community we get to serve. Thank you!”