Leading up to the city and school board elections on Nov. 2, The News contacted each individual running for office and asked them about their candidacy. Those who responded are included in this edition. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. (*incumbent candidate)

Highland School Board

Megan Allen*

Why are you running for school board?

I truly believe in education and what it offers and when built and supported you create individuals who will always embrace the ability to continue to learn long after they leave the district, and this is how we will evolve and change. I feel that our role as board members is to make sure our small but amazing district is always moving forward and not stagnant. I can stand on the sidelines and complain, or I can sit at the table and be a part of the solution, support, learn, understand and in the end, build strong students who will go on and make a difference long after they leave our district.

Is there anything you’ve already done as a member of the Highland School Board that you’re proud of?

As we have started block scheduling this year at the secondary level I am looking forward to seeing how we use this to continue building rigor into our curriculum. I am glad our district is exploring opportunities to have dual enrolled college-credited courses at Highland.  At the elementary the teachers have taken and initiated the Barton system. I am also proud of our Fine Arts. I assist in marketing and speaking about Fine Arts often to showcase our music and art into the lives of everyone.

Are there any projects or ideas you have in mind if you are elected?

Our Highland community has so many people that work in a variety of careers, I want to see the school district build strong ties within our community to assist our students learn about different career paths and how they arrived at the position; business owner; etc. We also have a very lean staff and I would like to understand the operations to advocate for the changes that will allow our staff the professional development; tools and and support needed. Although we have upped our social media presence, parents,  families, students are still missing out on information and find out day late, possibly not aware at all or just not engaged. I would like to continue to work to find the balance and best methods to get information out to people enrolled in our district but also include those in the community some whom no longer have students enrolled in school, as they are the ones who can still offer a lot to our district, guidance to students, networking, feedback and support. Small Schools need all of the community to thrive, not just those who attend. We need to include our community, I would like to help build this.

Why do you think you are/would be a good school board member?

I am an outsider, I am not from Iowa, I did not grow up in Riverside. My high school graduating class was larger than our whole district. So, I have lived in the Highland community for 21 years. I now have had two kids go through this district and one in her last three years.  With my oldest, IEP and trying to forever navigate his learning needs for autism and building social skills and functioning; I have learned the skills that relationship building is on the business side. Not to take things personal, ask questions and to research; research other outcomes, see what others do in surrounding districts and then bring it back to the table.

Why do you think it’s important to be involved in your community?

I think the reason I love to be a part of the board, volunteer and put myself outside is it allows for me to be social at my limits. The only way we can give our students opportunities is if we are out there supporting our school and students, being present. This is also the way I can advocate change gives me an opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation or just listen.

Monica Jepson

Why are you running for school board?

In the past year or so, I’ve had a couple people approach me about doing it. I’ve never really had a leadership role within the district. I have three kids—one is graduated, one’s in the high school and one is in the elementary school. I thought I need to make time and do this.

Is there anything you’ve already done to be involved with the Highland community that you’re proud of?

I do as much volunteer stuff as I can. I help with ESO, I’ve helped with the concession stand, Lego League. I try to do as much as I can.

Are there any projects or ideas you have in mind if you are elected?

A lot of the board members don’t have kids in the elementary school, or they don’t have kids in every level of the district. I think having somebody that can represent both sides of the fence — the elementary school and the high school and middle school — is a good thing. I also want to come up with some creative ways to bring more people into the district to help out, like substitute teachers and bus drivers.

Why do you think you would be a good school board member?

I’m not from around here, so I think sometimes having an outside opinion, not somebody who has grown up here, went to school here, lived here, has family here, can help lend a different perspective.

Why do you think it’s important to be involved in your community?

You’re out there seeing things, so you have a broader view of what’s going on in the community when you’re trying to deal with the school itself. Having yourself out there and being out in the community helps you see more so when somebody comes to you with a question, you know what they’re talking about.

Rachel Longbine*

Why are you running for school board?

To continue to make positive changes in Highland with regards to academics, helping to insure good financial stability, as well as maintaining good physical condition of the buildings and grounds to allow taxpayers money to be used the most efficiently.

Is there anything you’ve already done as a member of the Highland School Board that you’re proud of?

Helping to get FFA initiated at Highland, building a bus barn, updated HVAC.

Are there any projects or ideas you have in mind if you are elected?

We make a “wish list” every year as a school board, on that list are: an auditorium, updating the trophy case, revamping the back of the school to include garage parking for all school vehicles. I would like to improve school spirit among students and staff to allow all students/staff to feel included and welcome in the district.

Why do you think you are/would be a good school board member?

There is always room for improvement, but I do my best to look out for the best interests of students, staff and the district’s constituents. I like to think of myself open to ideas or feedback to the staff, students and district constituents.

Why do you think it’s important to be involved in your community?

I think it is essential to belong to different organizations within the community to help build better communities. Schools are important to building future citizens to maintain good communities, as that is a building block for all kids.

Lone Tree

School Board

Michael Hotz*

Why are you running for School Board?

I believe Lone Tree School has a lot to offer for both students and teachers and I want to see us grow and thrive as a district.  With my own children entering the school system, I’m certainly vested as I believe that the type of school environment and culture that is created within the district will have an enormous impact into their long term development. 

Is there anything you’ve already done as a member of the Lone Tree School Board That you are proud of?

I’m certainly proud of the perspective I have on continuous improvement.  Just as students are never done being life-long learners, the district as a whole is always looking for ways to improve in the margins.

Are there any projects or ideas you have in mind if you are elected?

I think for schools to succeed they need the support of a community of parents and keeping parents involved.  I’d like to open more doors for the parents that do want to offer service to the school in any number of ways.  Our community has a history of strong support for the school district and finding new connection points is always important.

Why do you think you are/would be a good school board member?

Serving on various councils and committees throughout my academic and professional career has given me a background to serve in a school board member capacity.   I also bring a viewpoint that all our families and students are an important piece of the school, as we have a large portion of our students that choose to come into the district.  The first year on a school board is spent heavily absorbing and discovering new pieces as you are mostly learning on the fly.  I think over the next few years, if re-elected I will build upon the first year continuing to bring fresh ideas, while helping set priorities for the district.  I also believe that my direct communication style is helpful in providing the school leadership direction.

Why do you think its important to be involved in your community?

Really for me I just want to district to thrive as it also impacts the overall success of the Lone Tree community.  Our district and community are intertwined.  We moved back to this community in part because of the strong educational profile Lone Tree offers our children.

Robert Sladek*

Why are you running for school board?

As one of few remaining K-12 single school facilities in the state, LTCSD is an amazingly unique educational opportunity with a proud history. I want to continue to be on the board to do my part, however small, to keep our school in a position to be able to provide this experience to the next generation of Lions.

Is there anything you’ve already done as a member of the Lone Tree School Board that you’re proud of?

LTCSD has recently undergone key administration changes.  I am proud of the outcome of the extensive search and interview process.  As a board, we have coalesced behind our unanimous selection for Superintendent, and I feel a positive energy and return of pride back in the building and I hope it’s a sign of great things to come.

Are there any projects or ideas you have in mind if you are elected?

Once we have a completed facilities assessment, I’d emphasize efforts towards continuous improvements of our current building and structures.  We need to ensure our facility is safe, secure, and functional.  With finite resources, we may need to choose much-needed maintenance over expansive new projects, but I don’t want to abandon the idea of updating learning spaces to improve the experience of our students and continuing to update offerings to set us apart in the area.

Why do you think you are/would be a good school board member?

My focus and decision making will always come from a student-first financially responsible perspective.  I have no personal agenda and desire to work in concert with the rest of the board and administration to help ensure high levels of student success.

Why do you think it’s important to be involved in your community?

The strength of LTCSD is the community.  There is so much pride within this community for this school, and for good reason.  Community involvement is what has made LTCSD special for so many years, but Lone Tree needs continued involvement from its’ members to guarantee we get a diverse sampling of ideas and solutions.  Like it or not, this community and this school’s destinies are unequivocally linked to one another.  This gives us a great opportunity to create synergy from shared ideas, goals, and successes. As a community and school district moving in the same direction, we will find a way to keep both growing and successful.

Gordon Viers

Why are you running for school board?

No particular reason, I’m just running because I think Lone Tree has a great school system and want to be a part of the community and be a part of something great.

Is there anything you’ve already done to be involved in the Lone Tree school community that you’re proud of?

I’ve been involved with the athletic programs over the years, whether coaching youth sports, football field painting, wherever I can be of assistance to the school.

Are there any projects or ideas you have in mind if you are elected?

No agenda at all.

Why do you think you would be a good school board member?

I think I’m a fairly open and understanding individua. I can hear all sides of whatever may come before the board and make a logical decision.

Why do you think it’s important to be involved in your community?

If people aren’t involved in their community, they can’t expect their community to grow. Every community needs to be growing.