School Board, Mayoral Candidates Share Visions at McPherson Forum
Education, facilities, and community trust dominate discussion at October 16 event featuring USD 418 board hopefuls and unopposed mayoral candidate Jim Loving.
MCPHERSON, Kan. — Candidates for three USD 418 Board of Education seats and unopposed mayoral candidate Jim Loving outlined their backgrounds and priorities on discipline, facilities and career pathways at an Oct. 16, 2025 community forum put on by the McPherson Chamber of Commerce.
USD 418 School Board Candidates
Blane Janssen
Blane Janssen is a McPherson native, a 2014 graduate of McPherson High School, and an officer with the McPherson Police Department. Since returning to McPherson in 2020, he has served as the D.A.R.E. officer for all of the city’s elementary schools as well as the middle school. He stated he was inspired to run for the school board to “be that change” that he teaches his students to be.
Janssen identified the “lowering of standards” and the overwhelming of teachers as top challenges for the district. On student discipline for substance use, he supports using canines in the schools again and creating a follow-up support system for students in need. He is a strong advocate for bringing trade programs like construction and plumbing back into the high school, viewing them as important “passion projects” for students. His highest budget priority is safety and security, and he is interested in the idea of building a new, combined high school and middle school to share resources.
Lara Vanderhoof
Lara Vanderhoof is the incumbent President who has served on the USD 418 school board for the past four years. She is an associate professor and social work program director at Tabor College, with a doctorate in the field and over 20 years of experience in education. Vanderhoof is active in the community, serving on the United Way of McPherson County board, and has two adult children who graduated from the district.
Vanderhoof believes the top challenge facing the district is rebuilding trust within the community, followed by addressing facility needs. To address substance use, she advocates for strengthening restorative justice practices and keeping students in school where they can receive services. While she supports the district’s current Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, she suggests getting student feedback to identify what new vocational tracks are needed. Vanderhoof stated her highest budget priority is improving staff benefits in order to retain high-quality teachers and staff.
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Perry McCabe
Perry McCabe has 50 years of experience in education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He previously worked in McPherson as the assistant superintendent for finance from 1989 to 2001. After retiring and moving back to McPherson in 2019, he was motivated to run for the board after the district failed three bond issues, hoping his experience could help create a more positive outcome.
Like the other candidates, McCabe believes regaining community trust is a top priority. He feels the board is already being proactive by developing a new strategic plan and hiring an architect to lead a community assessment for a future bond issue. He stated that improving school facilities is the most critical step to increasing student enrollment and reducing the number of students who leave the district. His highest budget priority is addressing facility needs through a bond issue, and he also pointed to the financial strain caused by the state and federal governments underfunding special education.
Sherrie Sparks
Sherrie Sparks was appointed to the school board and is now running to retain the position. A resident of McPherson for about 20 years, her children were raised in and graduated from McPherson schools. She holds a degree in organizational leadership and business from Central Christian College of Kansas and is passionate about supporting educators and ensuring the district is fiscally responsible.
Sparks identified trust and collaboration as the biggest challenges for the district, emphasizing the need for schools, parents, and the community to work together. Regarding discipline for substance use, she argued for mandatory supports for students, stating that simply suspending a student is not an effective solution. She is excited about the possibility of expanding trade programs, including a construction trade program at the high school. While she noted that educators are and should be the biggest budget item, she believes the community’s input in the bond process should determine other priorities, though she is personally excited about the idea of a birth-through-three center.
Mayoral Candidate
Jim Loving
Jim Loving is running unopposed for Mayor of McPherson. He has a background in engineering and business, including as president of the National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA), followed by senior leadership roles within CHS Inc in St. Paul, Minnesota. Loving has served on numerous local boards, including the McPherson County Community Foundation, the McPherson Center for Health (hospital) board, and McPherson College. He and his wife raised their children in McPherson and returned after being away because they consider it home.
Loving stated that his goal is to continue the stability of the previous administration while also planning for the future, noting that the city has deferred maintenance on infrastructure and strategic planning. He emphasized that the path forward requires collaboration between the city, schools, businesses, and non-profits, as no single group can shape the city’s future on its own. He promised to lead with integrity, listen, and work to keep McPherson strong while preparing it to thrive in the years to come.
Editors note: Jim Loving is my Dad
Not at forum:
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