As an educator in Lexington/Richland District 5, I have had the opportunity to observe and evaluate the motives and performance of Ken Loveless as a school board member and a citizen. Ken stepped forward in 2018 to carry on the legacy his wife, Jondy, began by asking about the needs of the students, teachers and schools in our district and then taking the steps needed to improve conditions. Ken seeks to understand needs by speaking to teachers, students, and community leaders, and then doing what he can to create positive change.
While on the board, Ken asked if he could come to my classroom and observe in order to have a better understanding of what students were learning. My students were in awe that a board member cared enough to take his time to come see what they were doing in an 8th-grade English classroom. He routinely visits schools as required by state law and coordinates his visits through the superintendent. He cares deeply about the fiscal aspects of the district’s money management and was fearless in his efforts to keep the board responsible for their financial integrity, helping reign in superfluous expenditures.
He cares about protecting students from bullying and guaranteeing all schools provide sound curricula that result in well-educated, critical thinkers. He promotes the opportunities for all students to succeed, not solely academically, but professionally too, through workforce development. He fights for teachers to receive fair and competitive compensation. Lastly, he wants to protect our tax dollars. Ken is a trustworthy leader with a common-sense approach. Ken knows that when our schools are strong, it helps build a stronger community, creating a legacy that draws our former students and their young families back because they know this is a safe and solid place to raise a family.
Linda Fuller
