Highfill: 'These Aren't Slacker Jobs' of Science, High-Tech Positions

When it comes to school funding candidates for House District 39 agree that funding would be ideal.

During Tuesday's candidate forum, Democrat Kelsey Clark of Grimes and Republican Jake Highfill of Johnston shared their views on education, including funding and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Clark admitted she wasn't familiar with STEM when she started her campaign.

"As I sat down with folks at Pioneer and John Deere Financial, I got to know more and more about it," she said. "STEM is absolutely crucial to get those skilled employees into companies like John Deere and Pioneer."

One thing she learned from her visits was the possibility of a partnership between John Deere, Pioneer and local schools.

"To get our young people into those companies doing internships and really doing hands-on learning with those companies to get interested in science technology and math," she said. "That is a genius idea. That is schools, business and government working together to benefit the community."

Highfill said he supports the governor's plan with STEM.

"Those are the most important jobs in our district," he said. "STEM helps schools, helps us initiate and compete globally, compete regionally and around the state. These are well-paying jobs, these aren't slacker jobs, or beginning jobs, these are the best jobs out there."

State Funding for Schools

Highfill said there needs to be alternatives to the current system, but didn't offer specifics.

"Yes, I'd love to fully fund schools," he said. "If money was a problem for school and education going down the hill we'd throw money at the problem and the problem would be solved."

But other alternatives need to be looked at, since the state budget is tight, he said.

"We should fully fund schools to capacity for every student, but also look for other alternatives and see what else we can do to better our schools," he said.

Clark said K-12 funding is a big issue.

"I sat down with (Johnston) Superintendent (Clay) Guthmiller and learned a lot of things about what the school districts need," she said. "When we talk about school funding it's such a big issue, such an important issue. Schools need to be funded adequately to have the best-trained workers, to have good high quality of live here in our district."

Both Clark and Highfill are newcomers to the political process. Highfill ousted incumbent Erik Helland in the primary, but has had some rocky moments in his campaign. He is a defendant in a lawsuit, which claims Highfill caused a nine-inch gash to the face of his University of Iowa roommate, Carson Kness.

See our previous coverage of Tuesday's Candidate Forum:

• Opponents Agree Tax Increment Financing 'Excellent Tool' at Forum for House District 39
• Clark Touts Creativity as Highfill Notes Need for Young Leaders at House District 39 Forum