Kelly is a Lawrence Public Schools advocate.

During Kelly’s first two four-year terms:

  • She was elected President for three years, serving two consecutively; the first person in over 25 years to do so (2021, 2024, 2025).

  • She served on the Board Policy and Negotiation Committees for seven years, and co-led the Board in fulfilling its obligation to recognize the classified bargaining unit in 2020.

  • She co-drafted, coordinated, and facilitated the passage of district-wide policies, including the Equity Policy, the Gender-Affirming Dress Code Policy, and the Cell Phone-Free Instructional Day Policy.

  • On the Board side, she assisted in the transition from traditional to interest-based bargaining, strengthening district administration and union relations.

  • She helped guide the district through the challenges of COVID-19, serving as the 2019-2020 Board Vice President under President Melissa Ross (Johnson) and as President in 2020-2021.

  • She voted in favor of the LPS private fiber Wide Area Network (WAN) that vastly improved bandwidth to enhance learning and reduce the digital divide.

  • She supported expanding the number of School Counselors to serve all elementary buildings.

  • She co-led the Board's 2019 resolution opposing any action by Immigration and Customs Enforcement that interferes with the education of any student attending a Lawrence Public Schools, which was reaffirmed in Spring 2025.

  • She led the Board’s support for trans youth and staff, as well as opposition to anti-trans legislation, including SB 180, SB 63, and HB 76: https://lawrencekstimes.com/2025/03/10/kelly-jones-anti-trans-bills-oped/.

  • She voted in favor of installing solar panels on two USD 497 buildings, the first in Kansas to do so, and has advocated for expanding green infrastructure to enhance the educational environment and reduce ecological impact.

  • She led the 2025 superintendent search, which successfully recruited and retained Superintendent Dr. Kerr-Swift, the 2018 Michigan Superintendent of the Year.

During the 14 years before joining the School Board, Kelly kept busy with:

  • Planned Parenthood Statewide Comprehensive Sex Education Campaign, Lawrence & Statewide, 2002-2004

  • Cordley Elementary School Site Council Member & Chair, 2007-2015

  • Save Our Schools Founding Member, 2007-2013

  • Cordley Farm to School Lunch Event Coordinator, 2009-2011

  • USD 497 Community Elementary School Work Group Member, 2012

  • Yes for Lawrence School Bond Campaigns Get Out the Vote Volunteer, 2013 & 2017

 Vote Kelly Jones on Nov.  4

A couple facts about Kelly…

Where did she go to school?

Kelly holds a Master of Social Work with a concentration in Administration and Advocacy from the University of Kansas. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she took many classes in sociology, criminal justice, and art.

How does she spend spare time?

Kelly spends many mornings walking in the Baker Wetlands and on the Clinton Lake Trails, watching Great Blue Herons. When a weekend opens up, you’ll find her camping and paddling. Kelly frequently facetimes with her daughters to discuss vintage dresses, recent finds at the Raven Bookstore, and hopeful travel plans— as one should.

Where does she work?

Kelly is a KU Professor of Practice and Director of Practicum Education at the School of Social Welfare. She has also worked as a social worker in prairie and watershed restoration, domestic and sexual violence response, and supporting individuals with dementia.

Does she have LPS kids?

Kelly has two funny, creative, smart daughters. They completed their world-class LPS K-12 education two years ago, for which she is forever grateful. Agnes and StellaMary attend college out of state, even though Kelly and Jon raised them to be Jayhawks.

Where did she grow up?

Kelly grew up in Yankton, SD, working in her family’s bakery, Cecil’s. She is particularly skilled at slicing bread, cracking peanut brittle, cleaning glass cases, counting change backwards, and pouring coffee for farmers and police officers.

How did she land in Lawrence?

Kelly moved to Lawrence 23 years ago, when her oldest daughter was four weeks old. Her spouse, Jon Tunge, took a position as a professor at the Department of Chemistry. Kelly and her daughters are proud of Dr. Tunges’ contributions to the development of environmentally friendly methods of catalytic cross-coupling reactions.

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