Ames School Board Candidate Profiles

 have filed to run for five seats on the . AmesPatch asked each candidate to answer the same questions and their answers will be posted on AmesPatch each day leading up to the Sept. 13 election.

Newcomer Mike Espeset has filed to run for the two year term that Incumbent John Hascall was appointed to fill until the Sept. 13 election.

Name: Mike Espeset

Age: 43

Family: Wife, Ann; and three children: Jack, 17; Claire, 15; Nate, 11.

Occupation: President of Story Construction.

Education: Construction Engineering B.S. from Iowa State - 1991 

Previous elected experience: None

Why are you running?

I have observed how our school district functions for many years and the relationship that the board has to that function. I believe at this time in the state of our school district with facilities and governance topics at the top of an agenda that is focused on student achievement, I am able to bring my skills to the table to help the district at this time. I have specific expertise related to how facility plans are developed and implemented by virtue of my work with other school districts and clients. I also serve on many boards and see how governance is handled in a variety of ways. Some are very detail oriented and others are direction-setting and accountability focused. I will bring a range of governance experience and philosophy to this board that will help us apply the right approach to the right situation before the board. 

What issues are most important to you?

All of the children in the district need our best effort to provide them with an education. We don't control the funding we receive nor do we choose the children in our care. We must do our best to educate the children in our district with the resources we are given. The areas of focus for the board in this effort are supporting teaching and learning, finances, and facilities. I will contribute to the board in all of these areas but I am able to be particularly helpful in the facilities discussion before the district.

It has been said that the cost of construction inflation has not been accounted for in the current $65 million bond project for 6 elementary schools. If it's approved, how will you ensure that all projects are completed and that buildings are built to last?

We need to understand the consequences of accelerating the plan. The more quickly we can make it happen, the more likely we are to mitigate construction inflation. Secondly, we need to make sure that we are building flexibility into the plans for each building such that we can make decisions about features and options and their affordability when we take bids for the work. We need to be conservative as we begin to deploy the plan so we don't run out before we are finished.

How much of SILO (School Infrastructure Local Option Sales Tax) funds are you willing to contribute to the current elementary school project before the voters?

 I believe current projections are based on about half of the SILO funds being put toward elementary needs and the balance are for other/future needs in the district. This seems like a proper assumption at this time.

If voters do not approve the bond issue what will you do to address the needs of school facilities?

We need to determine the main reasons behind the disapproval and come back to the community with something they will be able to say “yes” to that achieves the goals of the district in educating our children. I believe there is widespread agreement that we need to improve our elementary facilities.

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