Michael Juenemann Shares his 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’m married to my wife, Amanda and we have two kids, a seventh grader and a three year old. I graduated from Colby High School in 2007, earned my associate’s degree from Colby Community College, and my bachelor’s from Fort Hays State University. My wife and I farm with her parents, Joe and Sheryl Mcilnay, and we also operate a cow-calf operation. I decided to run for the Board of Education because I want to be informed and active in my kids’ education—and in the education of all youth in our community. The youth are the future of Colby, and I want to help shape that future in a positive way.
2. What do you think are the top three concerns facing the school district, and how would you work to address those concerns?
1. My top concern is our level of academics. When you look at the accountability report, we’re scoring below the state average across all testing levels. I know that by definition half of schools will fall below the average, but I believe Colby should be striving to outperform schools of similar size. We need to increase our academic testing scores.
2. I think our district needs to focus on retaining and hiring qualified teachers. Teacher quality directly impacts student performance. To do that, our staff needs to feel valued, supported, and appreciated. We have to create a culture of success—a place where teachers want to do their best work. When you retain good teachers, the hiring process takes care of itself.
3. I believe we need to be financially responsible. Our district spends more per student than the state average, yet our academic performance remains below average. As board members, we need to be better stewards of the community’s tax dollars and ensure that every dollar spent truly benefits our students.
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?
For me, we need a positive leader who can help build a culture of success. That person should be visible in the community, invested in student activities, and willing to hold both staff and students accountable to a higher standard—academically and behaviorally.
Our next superintendent also needs to have a clear vision for the district’s future. While a proven track record would be beneficial, I’m less interested in what they’ve done elsewhere and more concerned with how they plan to lead our district—where they want to take us and how they plan to get there. We need someone who will become part of our community, who will make Colby their home. I think the next superintendent needs to be able to support and communicate well with staff, students, and the community.
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’m a lifelong member of this community. I graduated from our high school, and my kids are students here. I want what’s best for our community and our schools. The youth we educate today will be the people leading this community in 20 or 30 years, and I want to help set them up for success.
