The week of May 11-17 is School Board Recognition week in Iowa. The week is an opportunity to say thanks to the five members of the Howard-Winneshiek School Board for the work they do and the time they commit working to ensure that every student in the district receives a solid education.  This year’s theme – “Helping Students Reach New Heights” – recognizes that school board members are local leaders working to help students grow and learn at their greatest potential.
    The five current members of the Howard-Winneshiek School Board, and the years they have spent on the Board, are: Don Conway, president, 18 years; Marilyn Reis, vice president, 10 years; Duane Bodermann, 3 years; Jan Carman, 6 years and Randy Richter, 3 years.
    The five elected members serve without compensation, meeting once a month in regular session to address district needs and more often in special session as needs arise.
    Members also attend training opportunities presented by the Iowa Association of School Boards, including the annual IASB Convention in Des Moines in November. IASB assists members to learn how to listen, express their opinions, and reach a decision with a focus on students.
    Howard-Winneshiek Superintendent Brian Ney says a good board member is one that can listen to more than one side of an issue and make the decision that best meets the needs of the students and the district as a whole.
    Richter is completing his first term as a member of the Howard-Winneshiek School Board. He has chosen not to run for re-election this fall due to a significant increase in the size of his farming operation that occurred shortly after he was elected in 2005. He serves as the “at-large” member of the Board, a position that can be filled by any resident of the school district. Richter will serve the remainder of his term, which ends in September.
    Any resident of the district that wishes to run for the at-large position on the School Board will need to pick up nomination papers from the superintendent’s office. The deadline for returning forms is 5 p.m. July 31.