School Board Candidates Disagree on District Priorities

Four incumbents seeking re-election to the Ankeny School Board are doing so mainly to finish what they started, while newcomers are challenging them to give the community a voice within the district.

got a chance Tuesday night to tell a group of about 60 people why they deserve the public’s vote in the Sept. 13 election.

When asked why so many candidates have stepped up to claim a seat on the board, responses were similar despite their differing platforms.

“That’s who Ankeny is – we’re passionate people,” said incumbent Aaron Johnson, who is seeking his second term. “We all have a lot of interest in what we’re doing to move forward.”

The candidate forum, held at , was hosted by the Ankeny Taxpayers for Responsible Government, a public interest group that has been around for about five years, said forum moderator and Ankeny resident Rick Hermann.

The forum began at 5:30 p.m. Incumbents Andrew Martin and Leslie Petersen went first, followed by newcomers Stephanie Jorgensen, Dustin Graber and Brad Huss. Incumbents Trent Murphy and Johnson brought the forum to a close.

The eighth candidate, Mike Rooney, did not participate due to his later entry in the race.

Candidates answered three pre-determined questions given by Hermann and were then able to answer questions from the public.

Questions asked by Hermann included what candidates feel is the most compelling issue facing the district today, why they feel there are so many candidates running in the race and whether a continued tax decrease projected by the district is realistic considering future needs identified by the board.

Many of the incumbents are seeking re-election to oversee the completion of the district’s long-term facility and academic plans, including the construction and transition to a two-high school district.

“We’ve done a lot in six years but we still have a lot to accomplish,” said Petersen, who currently serves as president of the Board of Education and is seeking her third term. “We need to move beyond facilities and provide leadership in education for our district.”

One of the most compelling issues facing the district today, Martin said, will be the focus on helping kids develop 21^st century skills to take with them once they graduate.

Martin, who is seeking his third term, also said he is confident next year’s budget will include a tax decrease, completely eliminating the $2.51 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, a hike implemented due to the statewide 10-percent across-the-board cut in 2009.

“I have no idea where these expectations came from – we do not have to have two brand new pools. We have to stage these improvements over time,” Martin said. “I trust our chief financial officer (Craig Hansel) – I’ve seen his numbers.”

Newcomers Jorgensen, Huss and Graber agreed changes need to be made to the district’s leadership. All three said they feel district residents are not being heard when it comes to the direction they feel the district should be moving.

“This community is divided and doesn’t feel like they have a voice,” Jorgensen said. “They want to see change.”

Huss said he feels teacher morale is the biggest issue facing the district, citing the teachers he talked to feel their opinions and feedback do not matter to the board.

“They feel they are micromanaged in how they are required to (implement) new curriculum,” he said. “We should allow teachers to make the call on what pace they want to teach material and in what order.”

Each newcomer also said they feel the district’s projection to continue to lower taxes for fiscal year 2013 is unrealistic considering the projects still awaiting completion.

“We see a future tax bill of $54 million and we’re already in debt $113 million?” Graber said. “I’d have to challenge the incumbents that we’re able to decrease.

“We just have to make sure that we’re spending wisely.”

Jorgensen, Huss and Graber all said they support the building of Ankeny Centennial High School and will do nothing to interrupt its construction.

Many community members were concerned about the district tax rate as well as the district’s spending. Many also wanted candidates to address the rumor that the current board is “dysfunctional”.

“That’s not the word I would use when 90 percent of our votes are unanimous,” Martin said.

Murphy said he calls discourse ‘debate.’

“There’s a lot of things we do that aren’t popular,” he said. “But we say what we’re going to do and do what we say.”

Murphy, who is seeking his fourth term on the board, said the district cannot afford another change in leadership at this time.

“I’ve been through this twice, “ he said. “If we lose continuity in the last phase (of the district’s long-term plans), we are in for another turmoil – and I’m not sure the community can handle all that change.”