Longtime incumbent and Campbell County School Board Chair Janis Winbigler will face challenger Kailyn Campbell in the Nov. 8 General Election.
School board members are elected to serve four-year terms. Elections occur every two years, and the number of school board members up for reelection alternates between two and three board members.
Candidates must live within the district they represent and are voted on by that district; however, in this race, a judge decided that Campbell could run in District 1 even though she resides in a different district.
Campbell was recently ruled a bona fide candidate in the District 1 race after Winbigler filed a lawsuit alleging that she was not a legal candidate because she did not reside within District 1.
Campbell won the lawsuit after Campbell County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Zalla found that she was an eligible candidate due to the decision by U.S. District Judge David Bunning in July, which called for the Campbell County school board boundaries to be redrawn because two of the five districts had too many people in them.
“Judge Bunning, by enjoining the use of the Campbell County Board of Education’s district maps, effectively removed the restriction (under KRS 160.180(2)(b)) that a voter must be of the district for which he/she is elected for the November 2022 election,” Zalla’s ruling stated. “Therefore, a candidate for the Campbell County Board of Education did not have to run within the district where he/she is a voter.”
Campbell currently resides in District 3 but said she would move into District 1 should she be elected.
Winbigler has sat on the board of education for 16 years. Winbigler said she is running for reelection because she is passionate about education and believes great schools make great communities.Â
“I have helped lead the Campbell County school district to achieve a nationally recognized high school, nationally recognized counseling programs, and one of the lowest tax rates in the region,” Winbigler said. “I am running again to ensure this progress continues and that our students continue to have an outstanding learning environment in which to thrive.”
Since being elected to the board, Winbigler said some of the accomplishments she is most proud of are expanding learning pathways and facility enhancements for Campbell County Schools. More specifically, she said during her tenure, she has lent a hand in building a new elementary school, an area of technology center, and the high school athletic complex.
“Each of these additions has been designed to enable the best experience for our students,” Winbigler said. “A Campbell County student has a broad array of educational and extracurricular opportunities available to them.”
Winbigler said she has also worked to ensure the district is fiscally responsible.
“The Board of Education has provided the residents of Campbell County with a first-class school system while limiting tax increases,” Winbigler said. “School property tax rates in Campbell County are the third lowest out of 17 Northern Kentucky school districts. The Board has successfully lowered the property tax rate for the last three years.”
Campbell said she is running for the school board because she wants to see change.
“There has to be a change. I was in the education system for years and know the problems that are happening in Campbell County, and I am ready to listen,” Campbell said. “I want to hear opinions, problems, concerns, and of course, positives.”
Campbell currently runs the “Neighbors of Cold Spring” magazine, which covers residents, events, pictures, and stories about the city.
She told LINK nky that she is younger than all the board members and knows a lot of educators and parents in Campbell County.
“I may have a different opinion, but I’m very open to hearing everyone else’s,” Campbell said. “I want to know why you feel like you do and why you are upset. I am ready to help this community and school system in ways that need to be done.”
Campbell said she is qualified for the position because of her experience in education.
“I have time to focus on the students, teachers, and staff to make the changes that have to be made,” Campbell said.
The top priority she said she would have if elected is to listen.
“Things have to change,” Campbell said. “My very top priority is to listen. Watching older board meetings, I have noticed that a lot of people don’t want to listen. I feel that one of the largest responsibilities as a board member is to listen and respect everyone.”
Campbell said she is a better candidate than her opponent because Winbigler has served on the board for many years, and “not many changes have happened.”
“In recent years, it has gotten worse. Times are changing, and I feel that means changes need to be made in leadership,” Campbell said. “I have the time to help and time to listen. I want to know everyone’s opinion. I am not scared or worried to voice my opinions or listen to others.”
Winbigler said her top priorities if reelected will be continuing to provide students with “state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional educational opportunities.”
She said Campbell County is expanding rapidly with new residential communities, and the school district must be forward-thinking to address the educational needs of a growing community.
“District facility needs include building a new Grant’s Lick Elementary School, renovating the current middle school, and building a much-needed additional middle school,” Winbigler said. “My efforts will be directed towards ensuring we can accomplish this while remaining fiscally responsible.”
Additionally, Winbigler said she would prioritize ensuring students have access to mental health services.
“With the increasing societal pressures our youth face today, it is imperative to provide mental health resources within the schools, Winbigler said. “I will continue to work with our district leaders to seek out opportunities to expand these services.”
Winbigler told LINK nky that her experience and knowledge make her the best candidate.
Part of that experience, she said, includes her 16 years of experience as a board member with over 160 hours of leadership training.
Winbigler said she was recognized by the Kentucky School Board Association for obtaining the highest level in their leadership academy—level 5, Certificate of Leadership.
“I have 34 years of experience as a professional educator serving in the roles of teacher, assistant principal, principal, chief information officer, director of support services, and assistant superintendent,” Winbigler said. “I will continue to leverage this experience to make sure we have effective school policies.”
She is a lifelong resident of Campbell County and a graduate of Campbell County High School. Winbigler said she is proud to have three children who are also Campbell County High School graduates.
“I will continue to work hard for the residents of Campbell County to ensure our children are provided a world-class education,” Winbigler said.
