For the past 15 years, Sarah Keatley has contributed her time and expertise to a variety of boards, including extension and volunteer boards, as well as serving as executive president of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program. She is currently a member of the Kansas Rural Communities Foundation Board and Rock Creek School District Postion 3 member.
“My peers would tell you that I am someone who pushes things to get going, highly organized, and a highly engaged person,” Keatley said.
Keatley’s service involvement took a significant turn in the fall of 2023 when she ran as a write-in candidate for position #3 for the Rock Creek High School Board. Recognizing the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, she earned the respect of her peers through her strong leadership and organizational abilities.
“When I had people in the community reach out and ask for a yard sign…knowing that people I barely knew believed in me and knew that I would be doing the best things for our kids and the community,” Keatley said.
As she looks to the future of the district, Keatley is committed to fostering positive change in the educational environment. Her vision is to ensure the district provides the highest quality education for all students, including her own children.
“I want the best for my kids, I want to leave the school district a better place than how I came to it, and I want to be a part of that change,” Keatley said.
Keatley also highlighted the unique growth opportunities within the Rock Creek school district, which is seeing rapid expansion.
”Rock Creek is a very unique place within the state,” Keatley said “we are seeing lots of growth and seeing people want to come into our district… it’s a lot of growth at once.”
The Keatley family is deeply connected to the district, Keatley is actively involved with her 7-year-old son Avery, a second grader, and 10-year-old daughter Kennedy, a fourth grader, both enrolled in Rock Creek schools. Her husband, Kevin, also plays a key role in supporting her efforts.
“I have two kids who are very engaged in the community. I want them to see that I am being a part of a change, and I want them to know I am a part of that,” Keatley said.
Keatley recognizes the immense responsibility that comes with serving on a board and believes that certain qualities are crucial for success.
“[A good board member must be] open-minded, a strong listener, and receptive to diverse opinions,” Keatley said.
Above all, she emphasized that board service is about the collective good, not individual interests.
“It’s not about you, it’s not about your kids, it’s about our community, it’s about our kids, our families, and our educational system,” Keatley said.
