Meet an Urbandale Candidate: Cate Newberg

Kyle Kruidenier would be a newcomer to the Urbandale school board, running for the open seat of Cynthia Munyon, who is not seeking re-election after 12 years.

Incumbents Cate Newberg, Adam Obrecht, and Mark Wierson are seeking re-election.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Check the Polk County Auditor's office for your polling place.

Cate Newberg

Age: 47

Occupation: Marketing director

Address: 7117 Winston Ave.

Email: newberg5@aol.com

Cate Newberg is running for a second term. She has two children who are graduates of l, and one in

“I would like to continue to serve on the board because I love the Urbandale community and the school district,” she says. “I am proud of what the school district has accomplished, and I can’t imagine a community that cares as much as Urbandale residents do. I am proud to give something back by serving others."

Newberg believes the completion of renovations to the middle school and continued monitoring of curriculum is very important, along with making sure students are prepared to compete globally.

Smaller increases in state revenue for schools affect everything from staffing to curricula, and continue to be a concern. However, school board members monitor the resources and enrollments consistently to make sure each school offers the highest educational opportunities for each student regardless of which school they attend, Newberg says.

It isn’t always even across-the-board because some areas are growing more rapidly than others.

“We will, however, continue to make sure a balance is kept so that teachers and students can be successful,” she added. Urbandale is a great small-sized community, and there is a lot of support to do what is needed, she says.

She believes she brings balance to the board. “Our board currently has a lot of financial people. I, however, am not one of them. I believe you need a balance of all kinds of interests and backgrounds in every community to represent a school district. I'd like to think I bring everyday common sense to the board because I am an average Urbandale resident.”

She says her background in marketing and technology helps to reach students through different kinds of social media, and the ways they use technology.

“I am also very interested in curriculum and making sure Urbandale students get the best opportunities to succeed,” Newberg says.

Newberg has chaired the for three years; UMS PTO for three years; Urbandale Post Prom for the five years; and has been a representative for two years.