Member, State Board of Education District 9 in Statewide, Kansas

2026 Primary Election

• Heather Guernsey — Former Teacher in Chanute, KS

  Heather Guernsey is a dedicated advocate for public education, serving on the Chanute USD 413 Board of Education and as Region 3 Vice-President on the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Board of Directors. A former third-grade teacher with a master's degree from Emporia State University, she champions public education as a "great equalizer" and a path to opportunity, drawing from her experience as a first-generation college graduate. Her focus is on increasing academic achievement, data-driven decision-making, and promoting Kansas public school successes. Committed to understanding student and teacher needs, she actively engages with her Chanute community and volunteers at her church and the Safari Museum Foundation.

• Destry Brown — Superintendent, USD 234 in Fort Scott, KS

  Destry Brown is a seasoned educator with over 40 years of experience in public schools across Kansas and Missouri. He currently serves as the Superintendent of USD 234 in Fort Scott, Kansas, a role he assumed in 2022, marking a return to his hometown. Brown is an alumnus of Fort Scott High School, Fort Scott Community College, and Pittsburg State University, holding degrees in Elementary Education and Administration. His career includes 11 years as an elementary teacher and various administrative roles, including principal and superintendent. He has received numerous accolades, such as Kansas Superintendent of the Year Finalist and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. Brown values community relationships, and is known for his passion for cooking and history.

• Renee Slinkard — Candidate for Member, State Board of Education in Parker, KS

  Renee Slinkard is a Republican candidate for the Kansas State Board of Education, representing District 9 in the 2026 primary election. She is seeking to join the state board during a period of significant change, as several incumbents are not seeking re-election. Slinkard previously ran for a local school board position in Prairie View Unified School District 362, Area 3, in 2023. Her policy positions indicate support for legislation that modifies postsecondary tuition and fees for "aliens" to offset funds used for the Kansas foster child educational assistance act, as evidenced by her testimony as a private citizen in 2018. She is involved in a contested three-way Republican primary for the position.