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.

Incumbents, , Francis Todey and Dan Woodin and newcomers , and filed to run for the district's four, four-year terms.

Name: Dan L Woodin

Age: 60

Family: Spouse, Jackie; and children, Audra, Austin, Annon, and Anson.

Occupation: Information Systems Leader with Iowa State University IT Services.

Education: BS Math/Computer Science 1974 - Secondary education math teaching certificate until I chose not to renew it in 1998. Completed coursework for a MS in Adult and Extension Education at Iowa State University, but did not complete the thesis.

Previous elected experience: School board member since Sept. 2008.

Why are you running?

There is a lot to learn about school finance and the responsibilities of a Board member. I'd like to take the knowledge and experience that I now have and pursue a leadership position to move this District forward.

What issues are most important to you?

Ensuring that all students at all levels of education have academic success. To do that, we need to continue to provide professional development to our teachers and leadership to find the students that need assistance as well as those that need additional challenges. We need to prepare all students to be citizenship, college, and career ready when they graduate from Ames High School. That preparation begins in PreK and goes through 12th grade.

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?

The Board has tried to determine the cost of the projects using the figures provided by our consultant, StruXture. Depending on what happens in the country and in the State relative to rebuilding along the west border of the State as well as other flood damage repair, we may have higher construction and supply costs. We have the SILO funds available at approximately $4 million per year to help cover inflation costs. We had hoped to use those funds to reduce the tax rate needed to pay off the bonds, but depending on the situation at the time of renovation or building, we'll need to review where we are.

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 the proposal by Piper Jaffrey suggests using $1 million to reduce the debt each year is workable as long as the economy and costs do not rise. The Board continues to discuss ways to keep the tax levy reasonable for the community.

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

The Board will begin to determine why the bond issue was not approved surveying the voters using the names and addresses provided when individuals vote. We will work to prepare another referendum for vote April 3, 2012 getting buy in from the community and providing information to address the identified concerns of the voters in September 2011.

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• Ames Tribune