Iowa City Voters Guide

Click for information on where and when to vote for today's school board elections.

This blog has an even more extensive list of information about the candidates and election than I have in this post.

The North Liberty Leader also has a rundown of candidates.

See who the Press-Citizen endorsed.

The Daily Iowan talks to each of the candidates about transparency and enrollment.

From Patch

The following quotes were taken from candidates during two of the four candidate forums held in the lead up to the election. You can review those debates and .

Jim Tate 

"We're not looking for just one board member, we're looking for five."

Jim Tate, on the need to vote for a board that can work together.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Notes: Tate is one of the few candidates in the field that has no direct experience in the school district, be it as teacher, DPO or PTO member, or facilities manager. It is perhaps for this reason that he has stressed his perspective as a parent during the forums, as well as his ability to work with a new board. He has also repeatedly emphasized the need for the district to get its fiscal house in order.

Patti Fields (Incumbent)

"I'm not necessarily in favor of building on the outside of the area with large schools, because that just creates a disconnect with neighborhoods."

Patti Fields, on her general disapproval of shutting down small schools in the center of the city to open new, larger schools on the outskirts.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Note: Normally running as an incumbent would be as an advantage, but as unpopular as this board has been, it may be a liability, especially considering the fact that her other board members chose not to run, leaving her as the only board member to take responsibility for the board, some of its decisions having been made before she was a board member. Overall, she has been effective as a diplomat on the current board, and an active proponent for the district's needs in state government, but it may not be enough to save her for another term.

Jeff Alden 

 "Life is not fair. Equity is a nice goal, but it's nowhere near as nice as effectiveness."

Jeff Alden, on why the school board should focus on the most effective strategy, rather than making sure everything is absolutely equal for every student.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Note: Alden is another candidate with little direct school district experience, but who is running sort of as an exemplar of being in contrast to the previous board. He stated at the last forum that he got into the race to support the construction of a third high school, as that's where the kids are, he said. Whether or not to build a third high school was one of the few ideas that the candidates disagreed on that night. Overall, Alden supports a common sense, results based approach.

Sally Hoeschler 

"I would think that the ultimate goal of our district is [regardless of diversity] what can we do in that school to make sure that every child has the chance to excel."

Sally Hoelscher, on what the goal of the school district should be regardless of the topic at hand.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Note: Hoelscher has some educational background, including being an active part of the Districtwide Parenting Organization and the Parent-Teacher Organization for Lucas Elementary. Hoelscher has repeatedly emphasized her desire to improve planning, especially long term planning, within the district.

Jeffrey K. McGinness 

"I expect there to be disagreements (on the board), but it's how you get passed those disagreements."

Jeff McGinness, on how he hopes to be part of a more civil board that can work together.

Candidate Statement (from the  Gazette)

Note: Like Tate and Alden, McGinness is running as an educational outsider. A lawyer and former UI wrestler, his emphasis has been on improving communication and building a more positive board that can work better with parents.

Karla Cook 

"I promise to approach every issue with an open mind, and I promise to listen to all stakeholders."

Karla Cook on what her approach as a board member would be like.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Notes: Cook will be battling Julie VanDyke for the two-year term of departed board member Mike Cooper. Cook has emphasized her decades of teaching experience as a plus, as well as her ability to listen to all sides. She said he experience would help lessen her learning curve if she is able to step into the two year spot.

Bob Porter 

"My experience with facilities will bring knowledge to the board that has been absent in the past."

Porter, who worked in the school district for more than 10 years, on why his knowledge of facilities and safety laws would make him an asset to the board.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Note: A former member of the facilities team in the district, Porter has emphasized this knowledge as a potential advantage that no other candidate would have. Like Hemingway, Tate and VanDyke, he has repeatedly stressed the need for fiscal responsibility in the district.

Marla Swesey 

"I do believe school board members are ambassadors for the school district."

Marla Swesey on the need for the school board to connect with other governmental bodies, including the Iowa City City Council.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Note: Swesey is another longtime former teacher and the former president of the Iowa City Education Association. Swesey emphasized how much she appreciated having an active relationship with board members when she was a teacher, and she suggested she would return this favor to current teachers if she were elected.

Julie VanDyke 

"I think what the students and families choose is more important than what we would choose for them."

Julie VanDyke, on why she is a proponent of small schools and letting the parents choose their children's fate within the district.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Note: VanDyke was motivated to run after a long and protacted battle to keep the district from shutting down Hills Elementary School, as well as earlier, when redistricting changes moved Hills students from West to City High. Beyond Hills, though, VanDyke has expressed a desire to represent the small schools and the less fortunate in the district against the wishes of the affluent.

Phil Hemingway 

"It never makes sense to me to drive a kid passed two schools to another school to offset some number."

Phil Hemingway, highlighting his emphasis on fiscal responsibility in the district.

Candidate Statement (from the Gazette)

Note: Hemingway, a City High parent, has been at school board meetings so often that he has become almost an extra member of the board already. Sometimes caustic toward the board and staff to the point of appearing rude, Hemingway nontheless has argued passionately for fiscal responsibility and free speech, and has nudged forward real change from his spot in the audience.