Protestors lined city corners along Betsy Devos travel route and took positions outside of the community college today as the Secretary came to visit. The visit by Secretary Devos, according to briefers, is part of her goal to visit schools that are innovating education. Like all educational programs in Kansas, JCCC has faced their share of controversy this year, with many parents unhappy about new Kansas policy allowing guns on campus.
There are reasons for that; community colleges, especially units like JCCC, are more likely to have high school and younger students who attend for specialty programs. Devos visit certainly brought out those who were significantly opposed.
Kansas moved their local elections from Spring to Fall this year, and as Devos enters town, Democratic candidates are hoping to make some changes in the board of directors. Seven members serve the community on the Johnson County Board, and Democratic hands only hold one.
Organizations from Game On for Kansas Schools, Stand Up Blue Valley, and Indivisible KC showed up to let their voices be heard. For many, Devos policy mirrors the failed policy tried in Kansas — one which is still tied up in courts.
The election this November may be non-partisan, but attendees at the event today noted the importance of protecting students.
Democratic candidates Lee Cross — an incumbent, and Angeliina Lawson spent the day campaigning in hopes of holding office and continuing to serve the community. Cross, the incumbent, was linked in 2016 as a potential DCCC recruit for Kansas 3rd District Congress, and Democratic gubernatorial campaigns have put him in the short list of future options for state government. Cross, summed up his goals of serving the college this way in a Facebook post for Labor Day:
As the son of a union bricklayer, and having worked for and with many unions, thank you for everything you have done to help any and all Working Americans. Very honored to have the College help train many working people, who help their families and children have a better tomorrow!
The Johnson County board will elect four members this year, and there will be seven on the ballot. Angeliina Lawson stands out for one reason — she is the only woman running. Lawson described her efforts this way in a post on Daily Kos:
Unlike Secretary Devos, I didn’t have a family trust fund built or sets of powerful friends. But I had a community that believed in providing young students like myself opportunities.
Al Franken says in his book that his wife pulled herself up by her bootstraps — because the community provided the boots. And, as someone who pulled herself up by those bootstraps I know how important that opportunity is young people in our community.
Today in Johnson County, whether it was candidates at the door or protestors in the street, Betsy Devos certainly received a very unique Kansas welcome.