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School board

Board of Education Member, Portage Public Schools

4 Year Term

Vote for
3
Term
4 years
Candidates
6
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A school board member is one of the officials who set policy, approve the budget and hire the superintendent of the school district.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Public safety

  • Roie Lord-TaylorNo party listed

    • Supports zero tolerance for harassment and bullying

  • Ken SlocumNo party listed

    • Supports continued review of building security and mental health support

  • Koen SuenderNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Sarah TrainerNo party listed

    • Supports maintaining working security cameras and technology

  • Emily CrawfordNo party listed

    • Supports policies protecting students from in-person and online bullying

  • Kimberly LarsonNo party listed

    • Supports board policies building a culture of speaking up

Education

  • Roie Lord-TaylorNo party listed

    • Proposes a volunteer bank connecting students with local industries

  • Ken SlocumNo party listed

    • Supports equitable funding for students with additional needs
    • Proposes easier volunteering options for working parents

  • Koen SuenderNo party listed

    • Supports multi-channel communication and flexible parent involvement
    • Supports more opportunities at Portage Northern High School

  • Sarah TrainerNo party listed

    • Supports stronger academic interventions and mental health resources

  • Emily CrawfordNo party listed

    • Proposes communicating educational pathways to students earlier
    • Supports equal access to extracurricular and academic opportunities

  • Kimberly LarsonNo party listed

    • Proposes clearer, earlier communication of program options to families
    • Supports career pathways such as Early Middle College

Economy & jobs

Health & human services

  • Roie Lord-TaylorNo party listed

    • Supports locally sourced, nutrition-focused school food

  • Ken SlocumNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Koen SuenderNo party listed

    • Supports addressing student substance use and self-harm through community

  • Sarah TrainerNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Emily CrawfordNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Kimberly LarsonNo party listed

    No documented position found.

Government & transparency

  • Roie Lord-TaylorNo party listed

    • Pledges transparency and no secrets from constituents

  • Ken SlocumNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Koen SuenderNo party listed

    • Pledges to address board leadership, transparency and financial decisions

  • Sarah TrainerNo party listed

    • Supports better communication between leadership, staff and families

  • Emily CrawfordNo party listed

    No documented position found.

  • Kimberly LarsonNo party listed

    No documented position found.

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.