Meet the candidates for Howard-Winn school board
Wed, 10/16/2019 - 1:09pm
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The Nov. 5 election will be for city offices of mayor and council member, and new on this ballot are candidates for school board members.
The Times Plain Dealer asked the candidates to answer questions about their abilities to lead the school board.Cresco City Council and mayor candidates are on page A15. Other city elections will be next week.
Toni Johnson (District 3) is the only person running for school board who turned in her candicacy and will be on the ballot. Three others have since decided to run as a write-in — District 2: Andy Ludeking and Karlos McClure and At-Large: Shirley Sovereign.
It is important voters realize that for a write-in vote to count, the ballot has to be filled out correctly.
a) Name needs to be spelled correctly. (Voters can carry in a piece of paper with the spelling so they don’t need to memorize the spelling of a candidate’s name.)
b) Next to the write-in name, the circle on the ballot needs to be filled in.
c) Make sure the write-in name is in the correct Director Position on the ballot.
Questions asked included:
• What assets do you bring to Howard-Winneshiek Community School District?
• What are the challenges facing How-Winn, and how would you address them?
• What are the best features of How-Winn?
• What goals do you have?
District 3
Toni Johnson
• Assets: I sprouted my roots from the great educators at the Lime Springs/Chester Elementary, and I am a proud Crestwood High School graduate. Having lived here all my life (except for a brief stint in Texas when I was three) and choosing to raise my family here, I would say that I am committed to the success of the district. I am a Christian wife and mother, and I try to live by the Ten Commandments. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and have worked in a variety of healthcare settings and with a variety of age groups. I have been part of multiple committees at Howard-Winneshiek. I really enjoy being on the school board and am eager to be elected for another term. I am old enough to say “I remember when…” and young enough to say, “I can’t wait to see…”
• Challenges: Many rural school districts in Iowa have many of the same problems and are struggling. We are struggling because of decreased enrollment and increased special education funding mandates. The state tells us what we can spend money on and whom but only gives us so much. We have become really creative at getting the best result for everyone with the hands we are dealt.
Addressing these issues means we continue to be transparent and informative. We rally the troops and go down to the Capital every year to talk with our legislators about the needs of rural Iowa (and hope they act). There are many workshops we attend to gain and share ideas to help better our district. Within our district, we have workshop meetings to discuss issues and resolutions.
• Best features: Our district is a pretty tight-knit group, and I think that makes us great. We have our disagreements and our own opinions and that generally leads to really great collaboration and discussions. We have many communities that make up Howard-Winn and each one contributes to the success of our students. We really have a wonderful administration that goes the extra mile to make things happen. Our staff are committed and eager to pass on their expertise to our youth. Most importantly, though, our best feature is our students. We are proud to call them ours.
• Goals: I want our district to grow and flourish well into the next 50 years. I want our students to have a cutting-edge education with the most opportunities after graduation. I want them to be the most sought after within the workforce. I want our students to stay here and/or come back here to raise their families. We are shaping the future of our district with the students in our classrooms now. Let’s make sure they have everything they need.
District 2
Andy Ludeking
• Assets: Communicate well with others
~ Willing to devote time and energy to make a positive impact
~ Courage to stand up for beliefs
~ Ability to make decisions
~ Financial background
~ Committed to community involvement (past, present, future)
~ Desire to learn and willingness to accept change
~ Have children in the School District
~ Live & work in Cresco
~ Attended Howard-Winneshiek Schools as a child, graduated from Crestwood High School in 2000
• Challenges: Enrollment: I feel that a solution to increase enrollment in our district will come from community collaboration on ways to attract more people to our area. Some solutions to the challenges we face include increasing job opportunities, creating ample housing inventory for all ages, providing affordable child care to all families, and continually strengthening and improving our school district. It is important the school district and the community work together to find ways to make advances in these key areas, which will lead to positive results.
~ Facility Updates: Updating facilities to allow for safety and security, the latest technology, systems and the space to allow for collaborative learning is an issue every district faces. I want our kids to have the best opportunity to succeed in the future.
I realize that to improve facilities it will come at a cost, and I plan to do all that I can to help the Howard-Winneshiek administration and staff, school board and the community work together to carry out a supported plan.
• Best features: Dedicated staff, many of whom have been with the school district for many years, is an asset.
~ Updated Sports Facilities (football stadium/softball/ baseball complex/track)
~ District is willing to make changes to improve student experience/learning
~ Location—centralized campus that allows for all children within the District to be together, allowing for a consistent approach to education
~ Small town family atmosphere
• Goals: Facilitate an upgrade in facilities for our students and staff
~ Listen so that the Community has more of a voice in decisions made regarding our District
~ Improve the communication and collaboration between the Community & School District so that the two can grow together
~ Serve to make a positive impact in our Community/District
District 2
Karlos McClure
• Assets: I have vested interest in the HWCSD in the following ways: I have been a resident and property owner for 14 years in this district, I also have family in this district since 1988. My daughter has been a teacher staff member for 31 years and her children and families graduated from Howard-Winn and now are residents of the district.
Also, the past 10 years I have served on the HWCSD school board. My background includes 44 years as an educator(junior high and senior high coach), administrator-elementary principal, junior high principal, senior high principal, and junior/senior high activities director. I have been a superintendent for ten years in three different school districts.
These experiences have provided me a strong foundation for understanding students and their needs, the importance for a strong staff who continue to grow and learn. My rural upbringing has given me a lifetime of satisfaction and understanding for the meaning of hard work while making sacrifices for our families. I know how important the connections between the school and the family is to building a strong community and a school that supports the communities.
My basic core belief is that schools exist for the betterment of students receiving a well rounded education.
• Challenges: Safety in our schools: Safety for students, staff, patrons and families is a top priority. At present we try to keep all exit doors locked from the outside to reduce the amount of openness to visitors for just walking into our buildings and do or go as they please. A monitored entrance at each building where a designated person would receive and screen those visitors who have business within the main parts of the facilities should be the standard practice.
Another area of concern is-students and staff who pass between buildings several times a day for classes. They are vulnerable to the weather elements and to any individual/s who may try to harm people. Building classrooms for junior high classes onto the west end of the high school building would greatly improve this situation. The amount of passing between the buildings would be reduced to practically nothing. This would also apply to students who pass to the old bus garage for classes as this issue is also addressed by the bond proposal.
~ Cost of transportation: Our costs for transportation are some of the highest in the state. Our district covers a large area of square miles, included is mileage out of the district for students to receive special services. I have always believed in students being educated in their home district. Students being educated off campus does not allow them to have a How-Winn identity as much as if they were in classes within the district. If we have not done a thorough analysis then I would support doing so. This would help reduce our costs that could in turn be invested in a classroom within the district. The bond proposal would allow us the space needed.
~ Special services: This area of concern could have several meanings. For purposes of this interview I am referring to providing for non-English speaking populations which includes parents as well as students. At present we are trying to help students learn how to speak and write in English. It is not uncommon to see the students helping their parents while shopping. Perhaps there could be a class available for business owners to become more fluent while communicating with students and parents.
There are many more challenges for our district but these three stand out for me.
• Best features: Overall student attitude and positive support for each other, especially in extra-curricular activities.
Although we have some safety vulnerability, our schools are a very safe harbor.
We utilize solar energy for our outdoor activities lighting and the bus transportation main building. Also, the transportation building is heated by burning used oil. Our facilities continue to become more efficient, they are kept in a good state of appearance, and we are attempting to repurpose our spaces to meet classroom needs.
Our teaching staff is willing to better themselves through learning from other teachers and are responsive to peer coaching.
Our non certified staff is also willing to learn from others, how they can better serve the needs of students, the public, and other staff members.
Students have the opportunities to investigate, search, communicate and share via their digital devices.
• Goals: Support a successful bond passage.
Know more about what goes on in our classrooms.
Be a better supporter for all activities.
To see more available housing for our communities.
At-Large
Shirley Sovereign
• Assets: I have 34 years of experience as a teacher and principal. After retiring from the school district in 2014, I have been actively involved in causes that I’m passionate about. All of my volunteer work involves education in some way. I serve on the Teacher Leadership Committee, Dollars for Scholars, Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation and the Howard County Community Foundation.
I am dedicated to the success and well-being of all students. I have grandchildren, nieces and nephews in school and care about the quality of their education. As a former principal, I developed a perspective of the big picture of how grade levels, subject areas, departments and activities interact and support each other. I am committed to education that meets the needs of all students and focused on leadership for the future of our school and community.
I believe effective problem-solving comes from using common sense and applying practical solutions. I have high standards for myself and others, and I don’t hesitate to be held accountable. My career as an educator was very rewarding. If given the opportunity to serve, I want to give back by volunteering my time and commitment.
• Challenges: Strong schools and strong leadership ensures that we will have productive citizens and a vibrant community for the future. It is critical to have a vision and high expectations for on-going school improvement. This district has a track record of forward thinking and implementing the best educational practices. Our challenge is to continue to offer students a high quality education so they can be competitive in the jobs of tomorrow.
These are a few of the challenges as I see them. We must continue to have effective digital learning opportunities available to students and staff. Enrollment trends and state funding force changes in staff and programs. Recruiting excellent teachers to this part of the state can be challenging. The age and design of some buildings are limitations. The safety of students and staff is a serious responsibility. Transportation in a district the size of H-W presents unique challenges. The demographics of the community is evolving, and the district must respond to the changing needs of its students.
Challenges present opportunities for growth and improvement. School boards can address challenges effectively by engaging in strategic planning, listening to the staff and to the community, compiling information, analyzing data, creating options, prioritizing goals, developing action plans, and working the plans. In this way, stakeholders are involved and decisions are transparent.
• Best features: A significant feature is the high quality of our students and active parent involvement. Our district provides educational opportunities for students in PK-14. The school has strong support, and we are blessed with the quality of life in our community. Students have options to reach their career goals through different pathways. Co-curricular activities are accessible to all students, and participation is high. Many seniors graduate with college credits and have the opportunity to receive sizeable scholarships to further their education.
H-W has been driven by its mission, vision, and goal-setting. The staff has been involved in decision-making and is willing to invest the effort to achieve the goals. H-W is a leader and a model for other districts in the state. Among the district’s greatest assets are its teachers, and they are among the best in the profession. Teachers need leadership provided by a hard-working administration and school board. Many teachers have stepped into leadership roles, and they rise to the challenges of meeting students’ needs. There is a dedicated support staff in each of the departments, and they are critical to the success of the school.
• Goals: If given the opportunity to serve, my goal is to develop professional, respectful, and collaborative relationships with board members, administrators and staff. The school board is tasked with being accountable for student-learning, determining district goals, setting policy, managing district finances and providing strong leadership. I would strive to ensure a successful future for H-W students by dedicating my time and energy to this work. Every department in the system has on-going needs for materials and resources. I would work within the team to establish priorities and use resources to serve students in efficient ways. My goals are to have open communication, observe, ask questions, and determine what is necessary to best serve students. Education has always been important to me, and this is a chance for me to make a difference for others.
