Voters Should Vote

Iowa’s educational system is at the center of many battles because of the amount of time and money invested, and because our future depends upon it.  Despite this, it’s hard for educational issues to hold voters’ attention long enough for them to vote in school board elections.  It is difficult to find common ground among competing political parties.  And, it is nearly impossible to realize the oft-quoted mantra of “local control” of education—Iowa state law dictates a large part of school governance under a judicial ruling known as “Dillon’s Rule,” whereas cities and counties operate under “Home Rule.”

To effectively address the challenges our society faces, we need to think long-term about our educational system.  We must have positive and innovative solutions that encourage students to become both competent in basic skills and prepared to embrace and succeed in the challenges of the future.

During my time as a volunteer on the Board I have challenged the status quo in ways that could increase student achievement, reduce long-term facility costs, and provide educational excellence in a fiscally responsible manner.  Most importantly, I have demonstrated by personal example, written about, and encouraged parental involvement at every level.  I have encouraged statewide school officials to resist calls for uniform standards that would interfere with local districts setting goals that would, and should, far exceed those standards.  Within weeks of winning a seat on the Board in 1999 I testified in Des Moines before a legislative committee on how to save hundreds of millions of dollars through energy conservation contracting.  I have appeared repeatedly as a guest on statewide and local radio advocating for energy conservation contracting and for greater local control. 

I have consistently voted in school board elections for over 20 years, unlike the challengers in this election who have never voted in an Iowa school board election.  I have been involved in the schools; our five children attended six of the schools in the District.  My graduate degree and work experience—31 years in engineering design, construction, and maintenance—have provided valuable expertise to the Board.  I have tried to ask good questions before and during meetings and to be collaborative, looking for win-win solutions.  I have tried to look at issues from various perspectives and to express myself succinctly and thoughtfully.  I humbly ask for your vote on September 8^th.