​     Education has been at the cornerstone of Jan Reding’s life, and the main focus of a life in service to the community.
     “Education has been an important part of my life. My father was in education, and I live by his words: ‘The more you learn, and the more you give, the better you’re going to be,” Reding said.
     Jan Reding is serving her twenty-third year on the Grain Valley school board. She has one son who is a 1990 graduate of Grain Valley High School and has three granddaughters. She received a BS in Business Administration from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) and served as building manager of the Power & Light Building in Kansas City from 1961 until her retirement in 1998. She holds a master’s certification from the Missouri School Boards Association.
​     Reding serves on the Grain Valley Education Foundation Board, is a Director Emeritus of the University of Central Missouri Foundation Board, and serves on numerous community and nonprofit boards, including the Grain Valley Assistance Council, United Methodist Women of Faith UMC, Grain Valley Historical Society, and is treasurer of FOCUS of Grain Valley, treasurer of the Oakland Cemetery Association, and secretary of the board of the William Chrisman Class of 1953. She also creates a quarterly newsletter to help keep her classmates in touch.
     As Reding looks to serve another term, two focus areas are top in her mind. First, Reding said, is the challenge of wisely growing and maintaining the district’s facilities to accommodate the more than 4,400 students attending K-12.
     “We continue to be such a growing community. We need to put our resources to work in the best way we possibly can,” Reding said. Reding is also focused on equipping teachers with the resources and support needed in their roles.
     “We have an excellent teaching staff, and our focus should be on attracting and retaining quality people with the resources they need to be successful.”
     As for the board’s role in supporting these focus areas, Reding says their role is clear.
     “It is our role to not bring an agenda to the table, to represent every student, and be willing to participate in active discussions in all areas. We must also work to make sure the public understands the reasoning behind the decisions we make and to be responsible and trustworthy. Our main role is to ensure we are effectively educating every student, every day, and that we are making decisions that are good for all kids.

          Sarah Swartz may be a first-time candidate for the Grain Valley School Board, but her connections to Grain Valley run deep.
     Swartz attended Grain Valley schools from 5th grade until she graduated from Grain Valley High School (GVHS) in 2002. She married her high school sweetheart, also a Grain Valley grad, and has one son who attends Sni-A-Bar Elementary, where Swartz is the secretary of the school’s PTA. Swartz is also active in her homeowners’ association. Swartz says her decision to run for school board simply stems from her desire to be involved in her community.
     “It is something that has always intrigued me. Really, it is just an opportunity to give back to a community I love. I’ve lived here a really long time. I went to school here, and now have a child in the district. I think I could add a different ear to the current board.”
     After attending the University of Central Missouri and starting a career in the advertising and public relations industry, Swartz felt called to become a teacher. Swartz taught at GVHS, teaching journalism, photography, and yearbook for five years before moving to William Chrisman High School to teach English. Swartz later earned a counseling degree and now serves as a counselor at William Chrisman.
    Pointing to heated issues surrounding public education that tend to make headlines regionally and nationally, Swartz maintains the focus of members of the school board should be on thoughtful, patient leadership, and making sure the district staff entrusted with students “need to know they are appreciated and valued for what they do.”
     “When you look nationally, we seem to be super divided right now as a nation. I think this person over here on this extreme is loud, and this person on the other extreme is loud, and most of us live in this middle that is pretty content and happy. We like each other and once we understand each other we work really well together,” Swartz said.
    “I’ve had great experiences with my son’s teachers, and any issues he’s had, it has always been resolved and done appropriately. Through my involvement with the school, I feel like I know what is going on, because I have chosen to be involved. I think that what happens often is we make a lot of assumptions about what is going on in our schools without really getting involved or taking time to understand.”
     When asked about how she views the role of a board member and the priorities the school board should be focused on in the next few years, recruitment and retention of staff and equitable facilities for all students were top of mind for Swartz.
     “The role of the board is very defined. Hold the adults accountable that are in charge. Making sure you have the best staff in place. Making sure you are attracting the best staff to meet the needs of all students, and thoughtfully looking at policies and procedures.”
     Swartz says the best practice for board members to navigate tough issues and ensure the community is heard and involved is to carefully consider each issue and not make impulsive decisions.
     “Really vetting something out, really taking time to understand fully what is going on and how a decision may impact staff and students. I also think it would be great if we got more student input on issues.”
     In terms of priorities, Swartz believes the board should focus on staffing and planning for future growth.
     “One of our top priorities should be attracting the best teachers, because ultimately that is who our kids spend their day with all day, every day. I could still tell you the names of all my teachers from kindergarten to sixth grade. They (teachers) are the true foundation of how our kids grow up. We want to make sure we are attracting the best qualified, diverse pool candidates so we are sure we represent our population appropriately.”
    “We also need to continue to make sure class sizes are equitable for all students and that we are focused on thoughtful future growth.”
    Swartz said that she has noticed that while there is understandable focus on the achievements of high school students during school board meeting recognitions, she would like to see highlights of achievements in all grades more regularly.
     “We celebrate all the state finalists, high school scholarship and other award recipients, which is common and understandable. Our early childhood, elementary, and middle schools deserve just as much love as sanctioned high school activities.”
     “Our early childhood center is phenomenal. And we know that if we get kids the early interventions they need, their success can be that much greater and much quicker. There are so many great things going on at the elementary and middle school levels that should be celebrated as well.”
     Asked if there was anything else she would like to share with residents, Swartz had one plea.
     “Vote. Just vote. In a town of more than 15,000 people, it is surprising we have such low voter turnout. Whether I get elected or not, or whether the board looks like who I would choose or not, it is what our community wants. But when we have such a low voter turnout, it is hard to believe that it is a true reflection of what our community wants. I want everyone to vote because I want our board to be a reflection of the people who live here, who love our schools and the community that we have.”
     Swartz is one of seven candidates running for Grain Valley School Board, just one of several issues for voters on the April 4, 2023 municipal election ballot. For voter registration information, visit www.jcebmo.org. 
Valley News will profile each candidate on the ballot in the weeks leading up to the election, provide a voter guide, and plans a candidate forum in late March. To search for all election related articles, click on “Elections” under the categories on our News page. 

     The Grain Valley Board of Aldermen will consider adding a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales to the April 2023 ballot at its January 23rd meeting. The Board will consider the ordinance's first and second read on January 23rd. If approved, the tax will be imposed on retail sales of adult use marijuana sold in the City of Grain Valley.
     The Jackson County Legislature is also in the process of perfecting language for their own ballot measure to add a county-wide 3% retail sales tax of adult-use, non-medicinal marijuana. 
     Neighboring cities are following suit with their own ballot measures. As of January 17th, Kansas City, Grandview, Raytown, Sugar Creek, and Lake Lotawana have already approved ballot language. Blue Springs, Independence, and Lee's Summit have language under consideration. 
     Voters head to the polls April 4th. For information on voter registration and voter information in Jackson County, visit Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org). 

     On December 6, nearly six months after stepping away from teaching at Grain Valley High School, Dr. Julie Taylor announced that she would be running for Grain Valley School Board.      In a Facebook post announcing her candidacy, Taylor shared that she has spent 22 years working in Missouri schools. Seven of those years have come at Grain Valley High School, where she served as English teacher, National Honor Society sponsor, and cheer coach.
     Taylor has been a part of the Grain Valley community since 2009, and said the decision to run comes out of her love for the community and the schools within it.
     “I love everything about Grain Valley, and I want to give back to the district and community that has given me so much,” Taylor said.
     Taylor shared her belief that there are always multiple paths to student achievement. 
     “Success, like education, is not one-size-fits-all, we owe it to each student to meet them where they are, academically, culturally, emotionally and physically. I am committed to understanding what academic excellence means for every student, every day."
     Taylor said that her goal, if she were to be elected, is to create a collaborative, safe, inclusive learning environment that adequately prepares students for life in an ever-changing society by providing inspiration, and mentorship to each student.
     In addition to understanding the classroom, Dr. Taylor says that she understands the school board’s responsibilities for the district.
     "As an accountability body, we must reflect on previous decision-making and ensure we implement school board governance best practices, initially focusing on strengthening communication with the community.”
     “I promise to take time to understand the connectedness and consequences of each decision. For me, it’s not just a line item, it’s not just a number; a paragraph in a policy is more than just words. These decisions affect the success of our students, our teachers, our schools, our district, and the legacy that they will leave for the future of Grain Valley and each person they impact throughout their lives,” Taylor said.
     Taylor is one of seven candidates running for Grain Valley School Board, just one of several issues for voters on the April 4, 2023 municipal election ballot. For voter registration information, visit www.jcebmo.org. 

     With the December deadline passed, the rosters of candidates for Grain Valley’s Board of Aldermen and Board of Education openings have been set.
     Only one of the City’s three wards will have more than one candidate. In Ward I, incumbent Tom Cleaver will face former mayor Chuck Johnston in April. In Ward II, incumbent Darren Mills is running unopposed. In Ward III, Brian Bray is running for the seat currently held by alderman Shea Bass.
     Voters will have more options to consider for three Board of Education seats currently held by incumbent candidates Jeff Coleman, Tisha Homfeld, and Jan Reding. Four additional candidates have filed: Lance Pollard, Michael Hackett, Julie Taylor, and Sarah Swartz.
     The election will be held April 4, 2023. The last day to register to vote in the April election is March 8, 2023. For more information on registering to vote, visit Registration | Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org).
     Valley News will have complete coverage of candidates and issues on the April ballot, and will once again host a candidate forum in spring 2023.

     Filing began this week for open Board of Aldermen seats and Board of Education seats in Grain Valley. 
     Filing for aldermen seats has been fairly quiet, with just two candidates filing as of Wednesday evening. Darren Mills has filed for re-election in Ward 2, and Tom Cleaver filed for re-election in Ward 1. The other open seat, currently held by Shea Bass in Ward III, had no candidates as of Wednesday evening. 
     Filing has been more robust for three school board openings, currently held by Jeff Coleman, Tisha Homfeld, and Jan Reding. Seven candidates had filed as of 11:00am Wednesday:

​Lance Pollard
Michael Hackett
Tisha Homfeld
Jan Reding
Jeff Coleman
Julie Taylor
Sarah Swartz

     Candidate filing closes at 5:00pm on December 27th. The municipal election will be held April 4, 2023.


Correction: A prior version incorrectly listed the deadline for aldermen candidates. The correct filing closing date is 5pm on December 27th.

     With 56.1% of Jackson County voters turning out at the polls on November 8th, Republican candidates had a predictably good night on election night. Incumbent District 32 State Representative Jeff Coleman defeated Democrat Janice Brill with 69% of the vote.  Incumbent State Senator Mike Cierpiot defeated Democrat Antoine Jennings with 56% of the vote.  
     Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. retained his seat, defeating Republican challenger Theresa Cass Galvin.
     In Grain Valley, residents are represented in the Jackson County Legislature by an at-large District 1 legislator and a District 5 legislator. 
     At-Large District 1 legislator Jalen Anderson retained his seat. Republican Jeanie Lauer ran unopposed and retained her seat as County Legislator for District 5. 
     Jackson County voters overwhelmingly approved Question 1 which continues funding for the Community Children's Services Fund through a countywide sales tax, at a rate of one-fourth of one cent. 

Additional statewide reporting from Missouri Independent:
Missouri voters amend state constitution to legalize recreational marijuana • Missouri Independent
Eric Schmitt defeats Trudy Busch Valentine in Missouri U.S. Senate race • Missouri Independent
Democrats prevail in hotly contested Missouri legislative races • Missouri Independent

     Voters will head to the polls Tuesday, November 8th. Polls will be open 6:00am - 7:00pm on election day. To confirm your polling location, use the Voter ID Lookup tool on the Jackson County Election Board's website: On the Ballot | Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org). 
     Under a new law that went into effect this September, Missouri voters must now present a government issued ID when voting. 
     The Secretary of State's office has provided guidance on the new law. 
     At the polling place, voters must now show one of the forms of acceptable identification and sign the poll book to obtain a ballot:

• A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license;
• A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card;
• A nonexpired United States passport; or
• Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.

     If you do not possess any of these forms of identification, but are a registered voter, you may cast a provisional ballot.
     Your provisional ballot will count if: (1) you return to your polling place on Election Day with a photo ID; or (2) the signature on your provisional ballot envelope is determined by your local election authority to match the signature on your voter registration record.
     If you cast a provisional ballot, you will receive a stub from your provisional ballot envelope with instructions on how to verify that your provisional ballot is counted.

Additional reporting: 
Jackson County Question #1: Quick News - Grain Valley News

Missouri Judges: Quick News - Grain Valley News

Candidate Profile - Janice Brill: Quick News - Grain Valley News 

Candidate Profile - Jeff Coleman: Quick News - Grain Valley News 

The sample ballot provided here is for residents in Grain Valley, north of I-70. To look at issues on the ballot for your address, visit On the Ballot | Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org). 

​Coleman’s Election Information:
     Please find below a detail summary of the amendments that will appear on the ballot on November 8, 2022, General Election Ballot. I encourage everyone to review and research these amendments, and to vote the way their conscience dictates. We live in a blessed country where we have an active role in what we want to see and demand from our leaders and constitution.
 
Constitutional Amendment 1
     This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, modifies the powers of the State Treasurer. Specifically, the State Treasurer is required to invest certain state moneys in:
     Missouri banking institutions selected by the State Treasurer and approved by the Governor and State Auditor; or
Obligations of the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof maturing and becoming payable not more than seven years from the date of purchase.
      The amendment additionally authorizes the State Treasurer to invest in:
Municipal securities possessing one of the five highest long term ratings or the highest short term rating issued by a nationally recognized rating agency and maturing and becoming payable not more than five years from the date of purchase; and
     Other reasonable and prudent financial instruments and securities as otherwise provided by law.
 
Constitutional Amendment 3
     This constitutional amendment makes various modifications to the regulation of marijuana. See the below summary for a more detailed description.
 
Constitutional Amendment 4
     Under current law, the General Assembly cannot require a city to increase an activity or service beyond that required by existing law, unless a state appropriation is made to pay the city for any increase costs. This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, provides an exception to allow for a law that increases minimum funding, if increased before December 31, 2026, for a police force established by a state board of police commissioners to ensure they have additional resources to serve their communities.
 
Constitutional Amendment 5
     This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, creates the Missouri Department of the National Guard, which shall consist of the Adjutant General and shall administer the militia, uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of Missouri, and provide for other defense and security mechanisms.
 
Question on Convening Constitutional Convention
     Every 20 years, the Missouri Constitution requires a question be submitted to the voters inquiring whether a constitutional convention shall be held for the purpose of revising and amending the state constitution. A "yes" vote would support calling a constitutional convention. A "no" vote would oppose calling a constitutional convention.
 
Amendment 3 modifies the state's current medical marijuana program in several ways, including:
     Permitting nurse practitioners to determine if a patient has a qualifying medical condition for medical marijuana use;
     Modifying existing definitions for the various licensed facilities and medical marijuana products;
     Repealing the existing scoring system for facility applicants and replacing it with a lottery selection process in cases when more applicants apply than the constitutional minimum;
     Limiting regulations governing medical marijuana product advertising to those no more stringent than comparable regulations for alcohol sales;
Modifying provisions relating to public records retained under these provision;
     Adding a reasonable cure period of at least 30 days prior to a suspension or revocation of a license or certificate;
     Limiting an entity or entities under substantially common control, ownership, or management to not more than 10% ownership of the total marijuana facility licenses in each category of license for both medical and comprehensive (non-medical) facilities;
     Modifying the number of marijuana plants a qualifying patient or primary caregiver may have for personal use to include non-flowering plants and clones, as well as increasing the limit on purchased medical marijuana from 4 ounces to 6 ounces of dried, unprocessed marijuana in a 30-day period, with exceptions as specified in the amendment;
     Modifying the offense of purposeful possession in excess of twice the legal limit from a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 to an infraction;
     Modifying the qualifying patient and primary caregiver identification card fees and renewal requirements;
     Modifying language relating to the collection of a retail sales tax on medical marijuana, including adding a provision modifying certain taxpayers' state adjusted gross income as it relates to medical marijuana;
     Permitting non-resident patients to purchase medical marijuana if authorized by that patient's state or political subdivision of that state;
     Modifying provisions relating to disciplinary actions against attorneys involved in medical marijuana businesses;
     Adding provisions relating to medical marijuana patients and civil and criminal procedures, including search and arrest warrants, pre-trial release or probation, family courts, child custody, and the right to bear arms; 
     Modifying penalties relating to violations of these provisions; and
Adding provisions relating to the applicability of this language in the event of federal legalization of marijuana.
 
Comprehensive (non-medical) marijuana
     This amendment establishes a framework for the legal cultivation, production, sale, and use of non-medical marijuana for Missouri adults 21 years of age or older. The Department of
Health and Senior Services shall grant licenses or certificates for comprehensive marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensary facilities, testing facilities, and microbusiness wholesale and dispensary facilities, as specified in the amendment. Licenses for such facilities shall be established by a lottery system, except that any entity holding a medical marijuana facility license shall have the right to convert such medical marijuana facility license into the equivalent comprehensive facility license. Such converted licenses shall be the only licenses granted, excluding any microbusiness licenses, within the first 548 days after the Department begins to issue comprehensive marijuana licenses. If the number of comprehensive licenses falls below the constitutional minimum, the Department shall award by lottery at least 50% of any new licenses to microbusiness license holders who have been in operation for at least one year and who are otherwise qualified.
     Comprehensive license holders licensed to distribute marijuana to non-medical consumers may also distribute marijuana to qualifying patients and primary caregivers. The Department may limit the amount of marijuana that may be purchased in one transaction by a non-medical marijuana consumer, provided that the limitation shall not be less than 3 ounces of dried, unprocessed marijuana or its equivalent. Additionally, individuals may apply for and receive a registration card with the Department for personal cultivation of marijuana in accordance with the limits set forth in the amendment.
     Entities seeking a microbusiness license may only obtain one license, either a dispensary or wholesale facility, and may not hold a comprehensive or medical facility license at the same time. Microbusinesses may only do business with other microbusinesses or qualified patients, primary caregivers, or consumers, as specified in the act. Applicants for microbusiness licenses shall meet at least one of several specified qualifications, including those of net worth, disability, region, or education. At least 6 microbusiness facility licenses shall be granted initially, with that number expanding over time and in accordance with demand.
     Non-medical marijuana sold to consumers shall be subject to a 6% sales tax, which shall be used to fund the regulatory program, expungement proceedings relating to marijuana offenses, and programs for veterans, drug addiction treatment, and public defenders.
     A local government may prohibit dispensary facilities from operating in that jurisdiction through a ballot question to the voters. Additionally, local governments may impose an additional sales tax on adult use marijuana of not more than 3% upon voter approval.
     This amendment establishes an expungement process for marijuana offenses, in addition to other provisions relating to warrants and searches, product labeling and advertising, and penalties for violations of this amendment.
     Finally, this amendment prohibits conduct permitted under this amendment from being the basis of detention, searches, or arrests; denial of eligibility in public assistance programs; denial of the right to keep and bear arms; and denial of parental rights, custody, or visitation of a minor child.
      Please let me know If you have other concerns and suggestions.  If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet locally, please call my office at 573-751-1487, or email my office at jeff.coleman@house.mo.gov. 
 

     On November 8th, Jackson County voters will be asked to extend a 1/8 sales tax to support the Children's Service Fund. Voters approved the sales tax to establish the fund in November 2016. Since its inception, the fund has awarded nearly $85 million to nonprofits and schools in support of childhood mental health and well-being and safety initiatives for Jackson County youth and families. In 2022, the fund supported 102 projects with $19.9 million in funding. 

The ballot language states:
Shall Jackson County, solely for the purpose of continuing its Community Children's Services Fund to provide services to protect the well-being and safety of children and youth nineteen years of age or less and to strengthen families, be authorized to extend its countywide sales tax, at the rate of one-fourth of one cent? This Fund will continue to be transparently administered in a manner independent of Jackson County government, by a diverse, geographically representative, nine-member citizen board appointed by the County Executive, with at least one member residing in each County legislative district. Revenues will be solely used to benefit the residents of Jackson County.

     For more information on the Jackson County Community Children's Services Fund, visit Children's Services Fund of Jackson County | Home (jacksoncountykids.org). 

     The deadline to register to vote in the November election is October 12th. For more information and instructions on how to register, visit Registration | Jackson County Missouri Election Board (jcebmo.org).