Lisa McCarty Shares her Vision Ahead of Board of Education Election
October 31, 2025
As voters prepare to head to the polls on November 4 to elect three new members to the Colby USD 315 Board of Education, six candidates have stepped forward to share their thoughts, priorities, and vision for the future of local education. Each candidate was asked to respond to four general questions that help the community understand who they are, what issues they see facing the district, and how they plan to serve if elected.
1. Please take a moment to describe yourself to the community, and what makes you passionate about joining the Board of Education?
I was born and raised in southwest Kansas, but have called northwest Kansas home for 12 years. I attended college at Emporia State University, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. After graduation, I worked for Wells Fargo Financial, and then Ford Motor Credit Company. With that career choice, I quickly realized many people needed more financial education so I went back to school and obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. I taught business classes at Syracuse High School, before starting a family and moving to Colby. I have two children enrolled in Colby Public Schools; my oldest is a junior and my youngest is a freshman. They have been in our public school system since kindergarten.
My involvement in the community has included work in the classroom as a substitute teacher. I was an assistant eighth grade girls’ basketball coach at Colby Middle School, I coached volleyball, basketball, and softball through Colby Recreation Department, I assisted with religious education classes at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and I served on the board for the Northwest Kansas Foundation for HOPE. I currently serve on the board for Colby Sweet Thunder fastpitch, I coach part-time at CoreFit of Colby, and last, but certainly not least, I am a full-time mom!
I am passionate about joining the board of education because I feel the education of our youth should be our highest priority! My business background has given me the knowledge to understand finances and the importance of sound financial decisions, while my teaching experience has given me some understanding of the challenges teachers encounter in the classroom. I do not have any hidden agenda as I campaign for school board. I am willing to listen to concerns and stand firm in my decisions. My campaign slogan is a vote for YOUTH – Your Opportunity to establish a Unified School District through Transparency and Honesty.
2. What do you think are the top three concerns facing the school district, and how would you work to address those concerns?
1. I believe the overall health of the American public education system is of great concern. Retaining qualified/certified teachers, contending with apathy amongst students and staff, and ensuring access to resources, including mental health resources, are concerns every school district must address. I would argue that each of these issues are influenced by the other two. According to elevate.k12.com, “over 400,000 classrooms (across the country) are either vacant or filled by educators who do not meet state certification requirements.” Colby Public Schools is no exception. It is imperative that our district retain certified teachers who have acquired the knowledge and skills to deliver engaging lessons and whom have the ability to connect with students on a personal level. These certified teachers have the most powerful influence on student success! As a district, we need to analyze and implement strategies that support and empower teachers and streamline tasks where needed. We may need to re-think how instruction is delivered when traditional hiring is not an option.
2. The lack of enthusiasm within our school district is vastly concerning. A sense of connection, satisfaction, and school pride among both students and staff could be improved. To address this issue, we need to ensure the well-being of both teachers and students. Teachers are key partners in resolving student apathy and should feel supported by their administrators, parents, and community. This, in turn, empowers them to create a classroom environment where students are excited to learn. Promoting school pride helps build a stronger school community and boosts student achievement!
3. While school districts face uncertainty with federal funding, teachers and administrators are tasked with “doing more with less.” It is crucial that districts become more creative and resourceful. Our school district should anticipate budget cuts and use advancements in technology to minimize those cuts. We must make responsible financial decisions that ensure long-term stability and prioritize diversifying funding sources that focus on instruction and student support services. While budget cuts present challenges, they can also provide opportunities for collaboration within and outside of school walls.
3. While you likely won’t be involved in the hiring process of the next district superintendent, what qualities do you consider most important in a candidate for this position?
A school superintendent takes on many roles. A brief overview of those roles includes overseeing the entire school district, managing and reporting of school finances, making and maintaining district policy, and engaging with the public. In order to successfully fill the role of superintendent, I feel a candidate must impart a clear educational vision because their vision will set the tone for the entire school district. Additionally, a candidate must possess strong leadership skills and be an effective communicator. Leaders that are transparent, meaning they are open, honest, and trustworthy, create school districts that thrive. An effective leader has the ability to create an atmosphere where everyone – administrators, teaching staff, and students – have the opportunity to thrive and be successful!
4. Lastly, why should the community look to you for leadership on this board, and what would you like to say to the community?
I am pursuing a position on the USD 315 Board of Education because I consider Colby to be a great place to live and raise our children. I seek to be a part of a forward-thinking community that believes the well-being of our children is our number one priority and I feel our school system should be a reflection of that. Our school is the center of our community and should be the safest place for students and educators. Students should feel excited to be a part of a learning environment that challenges and inspires them! I believe this is accomplished through a top-down leadership approach. My own experience as an educator taught me a great deal about leadership within a school district. Effective leaders lay the foundation for successful schools through communication, collaboration, and compromise. These characteristics describe the way I will approach my leadership role if elected to the USD 315 Board of Education.
