Kira Montuori for LPS

I have served kids up until this point in my life. And I will continue to serve kids in our community.

Just not in the role of board member. And that is okay.

The one thing I am most proud of is the example I set for my children.

To put yourself out there despite how uncomfortable it is. That there is true value in stretching yourself.

To never compromise your integrity for a like, a vote or a position. Kindness over everything. Always.

To know that the people that ride shotgun with you on your wild endeavors, are the greatest pieces this life has to offer.

To everyone who encouraged me, nudged me forward, placed their confidence in me and casted a vote my way…there are no words for my gratitude. I am hugging and holding you close.

Congratulations to Jenn Bauer, AJ Byrd and Angie Reed…our kids and our community are in your hands. Serve them well!

For most of my childhood, I was raised by a single mother.

She worked multiple jobs and gave me the example of work ethic that molded my life.

She taught me that doing what is right is more important than being cool or winning anything.

She was not afforded the opportunity to participate in the PTA, volunteer for field trips or help in the classroom.

She needed to trust the public school system.

So how does trust play out for a board member?

To me, it means being a person of character in word and action.

It’s hearing different perspectives but also being a voice for the voiceless.

It’s being thoughtful about the impact of a decision on the majority and on the minority.

It’s remembering that service requires your best self for all you are serving.

This one is for my mom. Because her example shaped me into someone who strives to build trust and someone who steps into service knowing the importance of that responsibility.

I hope I have earned your trust and you will exercise it this Tuesday, April 4th! 💙🤍💙💛

Spent six hours at a high school track meet tonight. Man that puppy was long.

But it occurred to me just how similar this campaign “race” is to the happenings of a track meet.

A couple crash and burn moments on the hurdles. Few wobbly and weary steps. The ache of a disappointing performance. And the sweet surprise of unexpected gains.

And just like I yelled my head off for kids I know, and I don’t know, I have received the greatest support from those closest and the most humbling encouragement from people just getting to know me.

It’s been all the things but we are coming around the last turn.

Liberty…let’s finish this puppy out strong! 💙

“Would you be able to stand alone if you didn’t agree with the direction the board was going?”

I don’t know if I have it exactly right, but this was a question asked during a meeting with a stakeholder this morning.

My response? “I feel like this campaign has been a long and arduous exercise in holding to my values.”

I also shared that:
▪ I am not a confrontational person but I have no problem speaking up for what I think is right and not right.
▪ I appreciate diversity of thought and will listen and consider all perspectives.
▪ I believe it is the responsibility of a board member to act in the best interest of all students, not just my own. And I have the character to know the difference.

I take this responsibility seriously.

That’s why through all of this I’ve met with parents, teachers, some current and past board members and folks from our community.

And that’s why at the start of it all, I met with several members of district leadership.

I did this so I could have a greater understanding of the challenges facing our district, the complexities of school finance, the course for our strategic vision and so I could gain a more full picture behind our district-wide academic performance.

During our hour and a half together this morning, I was also asked “Why are you running?” It’s simple. I am serious about service.

It is an extension of my value system. And I have spent my life in roles of service to children through my profession and community endeavors.

This is not a flash in the pan new thing for me. It’s who I was before and it is who I will be after.

If your values align with a person who is serious about service, I would appreciate your vote on April 4th. 💙🤍💙💛

I remember when we were moving within the Liberty district a few years ago I thought, “No way am I going to love the new school like I love this one.”

This was especially weighing on me after we received the teacher assignments for the school we were leaving.

“These are the greatest teachers.”
“How can I pull my kids from this school?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t move at all.”

But do you know what happened?

My kids got the greatest teachers at their new Liberty school.

I couldn’t even believe it. And I fell in love with the school too. Because from counselor to cafeteria patrol, the people made the building. Just like their old school.

Having four kids, you come to know a lot of teachers and staff. You also come to know how much they love your kids.

They pour themselves into their academic development.
They create comfort during bad days and hard transitions.
They watch out for them during the funky middle school years.
They challenge them to push through difficult concepts.
And they celebrate their unique personalities.

Why? BECAUSE…they are incredible at what they do!

All it takes is spending a sliver of time in a classroom volunteering during one school party to know the challenges they face. God love them.

Receiving the LNEA endorsement means something to me. Because I am for educators.

They devote a tremendous amount of personal time and resources to creating the best experience for our kids. They show up each and every day despite the public scrutiny. And they led them through some pretty rough years.

And they have done it all - with grace, love and commitment. They are deserving of our respect and all our love in return.

Serving them would be an honor.

And one of the first ways I can encourage support for them, where they work and what they do is to encourage everyone to:

▪️ VOTE YES on the No Tax Increase Bond
▪️ And VOTE YES on the Levy Transfer

One week to go…VOTE APRIL 4!

Let’s do this Liberty! 💙🤍💙💛

I don’t get intentional unkindness.
I don’t believe in retaliation.
I don’t care to participate in cultural wars.

I say this to share that the only way I know how to live out the value of school board elections being nonpartisan is to BE nonpartisan.

During this campaign season, I’ve only tried to present myself authentically as well as my values when it comes to kids, teachers, schools and our community.

I won’t wear a jersey.

And yet this has drawn criticism and negative action. From both sides.

My signs have been taken out of yards (caught on camera).
I’ve been challenged in public in what felt like an attempt to make me look like a fool.
My name (and only my name) has been blacked out of sample ballots passed out to potential voters.

It’s been…fun.

Actually, it’s been disappointing. And I am usually a ‘see the good in everything’ kind of person. Just ask my kids…they think it is the number one most annoying thing about me.

But I have supporters and volunteers who are all the way right, all the way left and everything in between. Friends and strangers. Because they know what I am about:

▪️ Kids, above anything else
▪️ Being level-headed
▪️ A collaborator and a connector
▪️ And someone who truly wants to see students, teachers and our community succeed

And here’s the thing. I still may not be for you. And that’s okay. But I will - one hundred percent - be for your kid.

I have a 16 year track record of caring about other people’s children. And this is only fueling that passion.

I can’t wait for April 4th. Yes, because the campaigning will be over. But mainly, so I can (hopefully) start getting to the good stuff…helping the children of Liberty Public Schools. 💙

I'd love to meet, hear what is important to you and share what I'm about!

Swing by Hammerhand Coffee this Friday!

Today I visited the living wax museum at Liberty Oaks Elementary.

After watching my son’s presentation, I walked around and listened to at least a dozen other students.

As silly as this may sound, I got teary eyed.

Some of the kids were really confident. Some were really nervous. Some did amazing research and some met the requirements no more, no less.

All were precious.

As the minutiae of a “campaign” can start to wear on you, today was a perfect reminder of why I am running for school board.

I love seeing kids succeed. I love cheering them on. And today, I loved watching their learning and skill building in action and then seeing their faces light up when they received a “Great Job!”

Kids are my reason, my passion and my North Star.

And there is some really great stuff happening in our schools!

Hello Rock Stars! Who wants a yard sign?!? 💙

Sign-up on the google doc below.

I know putting a yard sign up is a HUGE vote of confidence and that is not lost on me. So please know I am so grateful for this type of support!

I want a Kira Montuori for LPS yard sign! Your support in this way means so much! I know publicly displaying support for someone takes a lot of consideration and confidence and that is not lost on me. Thank you!

*UPDATE: EVERYONE IS AMAZING!! We hit our goal!! 🙌
THANK YOU! I am just so very grateful to have your support! 💙💙
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So apparently, my treasurer, Scott Cruce, will not let me spend money I don’t have. Such a stickler. 🤣

So in an effort for transparency, yard signs and printed cards cost $1,900. (I know, I didn’t know these things cost this much either.)

Because of the generosity of some REALLY great folks who gave me an amazing boost, I am only a few hundred dollars short.

So I just need a few more amazing folks to help me get to my goal... and temper Scott. 😉

If you would like to support my efforts to serve our students and community I've included the link to donate below. AND please know your support means so much!!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=CX7URTFC9SSYW

My first ENDORSEMENT! ⭐ And to be honest, it will forever be the most important to me.

My nephew, Bran who attends Lewis and Clark Elementary is on the autism spectrum. After he heard I was running for school board, he said, “You will be so good. I will vote for you.”

Do you know what a school board member does?

“No, but I know you like helping people. And I love you.”

When I told him he was the most awesome kid he said, “To my family I am awesome but I am not awesome at school.” School has been a hard place for him to feel like he belongs.

He is why I am running. Kids like my nephew need and deserve advocates at every level.

Advocates like Ms. Baker, his 2nd grade teacher who even before he was diagnosed gave him space to be himself and made him feel safe. She continues to make a significant and lasting imprint on his life.

For the Brans. For the Ms. Bakers. I serve. 💙