RIVERSIDE

Five candidates, including current board president Nate Robinson, are running for five Highland School Board seats in the Nov. 7 election.

Each seat carries a four-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Robinson, an at-large member, and Dan Ruth, of District 4, are running for re-election. Robinson is running in District 5, John O’Leary is running in District 2, Joslin Schott is running in District 6, and Karen Fink is running for the at-large seat.

The News asked a series of questions as the election draws nearer.

Karen Fink

Age: 46

Family:  Husband, Jody, Highland High School Athletics Director; children, Kamryn, 13; Kyler, 12; Kassidy, 8

Residence: Riverside

District: At-large

The News: Why are you running for a seat on the School Board?

Fink: I feel like, if you aren't willing to get involved, you can't complain about the state of affairs. I want to help our district be the best it can be. We are a pretty amazing community and I think there are great possibilities. I have loved being a part of the Highland District and want to make my best effort to make it the best it can be.

The News: What do you believe is the role of the School Board?

Fink: The role of the school board is to assist in running the business side of the school, as well as guidance on issues brought before them.

The News: What improvements would you like to see in Highland Schools?

Fink: I think there are many possibilities. I am not sure that I have a particular improvement, I just want our district to be the best it can be.

The News: What projects would you like to focus on?

Fink: I would like to focus on projects that will make the most of what we have for our students.

The News: What can school district residents expect of you?

Fink: I will do my best to use/apply all of the information provided to me to make decisions that will promote and encourage all of our students and staff.  

John O’Leary

Age: 34

Family:  Two children, 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son

Residence: Rural Ainsworth

District: 2

Highland grad: 2007

Community service: I've coached in the community for the last 8 years or so on the town level with both of my kids in T-ball, softball, baseball, basketball and volleyball. I also coached Junior High basketball at Highland for 3-4 years about 10 years ago. 

The News: Why are you running for a seat on the School Board?

O’Leary: I've been a part of the Highland community my entire life. Went to school here from kindergarten through graduation. I now have two kids in the same scholastic system. My mother, Jane O'Leary, is the principal of the Elementary School. I have many friends who are active within the school district as coaches, board members, ESO, Boosters and other capacities. With all of the other kids I've coached along the years and my friends’ kids, as well as my own, I want to do my part to the best of my ability to ensure they all have the best experience and all the support we can offer them during their time at Highland.

The News: What do you believe is the role of the School Board?

O’Leary: I believe our role as a board overall is to listen to the concerns and suggestions of the community and do our best to acknowledge and act on those expressions within our abilities. Striving to bridge the gap between our community members and our kids with the governing bodies of our states administration.

The News: What improvements would you like to see in Highland Schools?

O’Leary: I would like to see an overall continued improvement of our unity as a community. We have such great families and individuals within the Highland district! The amount of support and help I've seen over my life from our community members has been amazing. I look forward to helping to perpetuate and grow that aspect of our community.

The News: What projects would you like to focus on?

O’Leary: I know my answer for this question will become more focused as I get further along into the process of being a School Board member, and as I get a first-hand seat to all of the information and concerns of our district members. To start, I will be all in on offering our current board members as much support as possible on current issues, and trying to prioritize new and upcoming projects. My overall concern starting off will be helping out in any way I can to offer our student body and community an optimized experience from Highland Schools.

The News: What can school district residents expect of you?

O’Leary: I will be committed to all of our students in the district as if they were my own. I will be looking forward to coming into every meeting and addressing every topic with an open mind and working closely alongside fellow board members as well as community members to prioritize and execute to the full extent of our abilities.

Nate Robinson

Family: Wife, Julie; children, Jackson, Chase, Jacob, Liam

Residence: Riverside

District: 5

High school: Iowa City West

Community service: Current Board President, School Board; past chair, City of Riverside Planning and Zoning Commission. 

The News: Why are you running for re-election on the School Board?

Robinson: I wish to continue the path we’re on.

The News: What do you believe is the role of the School Board?

Robinson: The role of the board is simple. It is to work with the superintendent to adjust policies and set educational goals and address operational needs.

The News: What improvements would you like to see in Highland Schools?

Robinson: It is apparent to me that we need more community space that perhaps the district can help with.

The News: What projects would you like to focus on?

Robinson: We will continue to focus on our reading and math, and our community needs.

The News: What can school district residents expect of you?

Robinson: Our residents know me. They know what to expect of me. I will always listen. I always have time for people that are concerned. I will always, also, be honest and straightforward.

Dan Ruth

Age: 36

Family: Wife, Melissa; children, John, 9; Lucy, 6

Residence: Rural Riverside

District: 4

Highland grad: 2005

Community service: Appointed to Highland School Board in August 2022; Highland Facilities Committee; Husky Wrestling Club; Husky Baseball Club

The News: Why are you running for re-election on the School Board?

Ruth: I am a 2005 Highland graduate. My wife Melissa and I moved our family back to the Highland district in 2015. I had the opportunity to join the School Board in August of 2022. I am passionate about our community and school district. My goal is to continue our positive momentum and growth for years to come.

The News: What do you believe is the role of the School Board?

Ruth: I feel that our board is responsible for providing representation for our community. We must work together with our administration to provide the best education possible while maintaining a balanced budget. We also need to maintain an open line of communication and exhibit professionalism to maintain confidence in the direction of our district.

The News: What improvements would you like to see in Highland Schools?

Ruth: We recently convened a Facilities Advisory Committee and hired OPN Architects to study current and future state of facilities within our district. The first few meetings have been very productive. I look forward to the opportunity to working with members of our community to address our facilities needs in the short and long term.

The News: What projects would you like to focus on?

Ruth: As a small school we need to continue marketing our district and providing unique opportunities for our students. We have seen many positive improvements in the past year, including reinstating our Industrial Technology program, installation of a FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Chapter and the continued growth of our National Honor Society and FFA Chapters.  Our elementary school sent two grade levels for week-long sessions to School of the Wild, a wilderness-based learning experience. We need to continue providing unique experiences while preparing students for life in the real world.

The News: What can school district residents expect of you?

Ruth: My goal is to build positive relationships throughout our district and provide open communication. I pride myself on being an advocate for our district. I will continue to work hard to make a positive impact for our students and families.

Joslin Schott

Age: 34

Family: Husband, Tom; children, Layne, 3^rd grade; Charlie and Davin, 1^st grade; Bennett, 3 years old

Residence: Riverside

District: 6

Community service: Religion teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic Church; Highland Facilities Advisory Committee; Farm Bureau Board of Directors-Secretary; Farm Bureau Swine Advisory Committee.

The News: Why are you running for a seat on the School Board?

Schott: My husband graduated from Highland High School and we currently have three of our four boys attending Highland schools. It is important to us that the school district thrives and is a great place of education not only for our children, but all students in the district. I graduated from a school district very similar in size to Highland, then attended Iowa State University and worked as an agronomist for seven years, then the Farm Service Agency, before coming home to my husband’s family farm. I can bring a unique perspective, not having grown up in the district, along with my education and work experience.

The News: What do you believe is the role of the School Board?

Schott: To make decisions with students, teachers/staff and the community in mind while monitoring and evaluating the financial health of the district. I also think a school board can be viewed as being in an advisory role to the superintendent.

The News: What improvements would you like to see in Highland Schools?

Schott: I think every district has improvements they would like to make, Highland being no different. Being involved on the Facilities Advisory Committee, I look forward to the options we may have in the future to keep improving and making our school a top choice in the area.

The News: What projects would you like to focus on?

Schott: I would like to support any projects that continue to attract great teachers and families to our district. Being a smaller school in Iowa, retention is crucial. My husband and I have been so impressed with the teachers and staff in the elementary, our students are very lucky!

The News: What can school district residents expect of you?

Schott: In the beginning I will observe, listen and learn. I like to be educated and informed when making decisions. I will also partner with the community to help ensure a great future for our students and Highland Community Schools.

Highland: Revenue Purpose Statement

In addition to choosing School Board members, voters in the Highland Community Schools District will be asked to adopt a Revenue Purpose Statement, which specifies the uses of revenues that the district receives from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education Fund. The measure requires at least 50% approval for adoption.

If the measure fails, it would not terminate or restrict a previous Revenue Purpose Statement adopted by the district. If the measure passes, it would remain intact until an amendment or replacement is initiated by the school district.

The fund’s usages include information and security technology systems, leases and purchases of buildings, disaster expenditures and a number of other uses.

Approval does not affect property taxes.