Meet the Candidates: Nodaway Valley School Board

Four seats are up for grabs in the Nov. 2 school board election for Nodaway Valley.

For the at-large spot, James Campbell, Kristen Jensen and Daniel Shilling are on the ballot.

Campbell chose not to answer a questionnaire sent from the newspaper and said he wishes to be removed from consideration by voters. He will not accept the seat if voted on.

Vying for a District 1 seat unopposed is incumbent school board member Adam Woosley.

Vying for a District 2 seat are incumbent Douglas Holliday and Molly Herrick.

While lengths of answers vary, all candidates received the same questions from the newspaper — education, related experience, two strengths and two weaknesses and how they see themselves playing a positive role in major issues. Responses are printed in their entirety.

Molly Herrick

My name is Molly Herrick, graduate of Nodaway Valley CSD and Iowa State University, and I am running for a seat on the Nodaway Valley School board.

Related experiences I have are the Warren Opera House board, Hotel Greenfield design committee, Nodaway Valley Middle School Booster Club Co-chair, PBIS committee, Interior designer and that I am a parent of two current Nodaway Valley students.

Strengths for Nodaway Valley I have observed are we have a lot of community support. When I think of all the activities (not just games), we have both supporters in businesses and people that are willing to volunteer their time and finances to reinforce their loyalty to our district. I think that that is an awesome thing we have established. The community and school both play an integral role for building our future success. Another strength for our district is that we are a rural community school, therefore we have the ability to know each and every one of our staff members and students on a first name basis. Many teachers are passionate about teaching and are also involved with coaching sports. I find this to be a strength because a student may grow through a lifelong relationship with a teacher/coach, thus creating accountability and dedication.

On the flip side of this coin for weaknesses of Nodaway Valley are that although we have wonderful community support, communication could be improved for Nodaway Valley on all levels — administration, teachers, parents and community. Being intentional with this through more methods of communication is key. One of several ideas that could be implemented may be to provide a weekly or monthly newsletter in which each grade could share about topics/happenings for their classroom/grade. In regards to being a rural district, while we are small, it also leaves room for growth. As many urban districts may potentially have more resources available, it is more difficult for a smaller district to provide a broader selection of classes (especially at the high school level) where there is more specialization in interests and fewer number of students. We need to be resourceful (at all grade levels) in understanding our options and how to implement them for the needs of all students both in school and extra-curricular activities.

The three biggest issues related to the district I feel I can play a positive role in are technology use, building facilities maintence and strategic planning and striving for excellence in academics. Growing up in Greenfield, I am a Nodaway Valley alumni, and I, along with many family members have been a part of the progress of our district for many years. I have two children currently attending Nodaway Valley. I believe it is invaluable to be a part of our children’s education as it direcly affects our future and the vitality of our community. With a design background, I have had a hand in many design and construction projects and feel this knowledge can be utilized for the future planning and success of our district. As a parent of students now, I have already begun to see improvement in our school and look forward to ensuring our district can reach its full potential.

Doug Holliday

My name is Doug Holliday, an area farmer and a father, and I am running for a seat on the Nodaway Valley School board.

Related experience I have are that I sat on a state board for 11 years and was on the budget committee of that board for many years. That board was governed by policy, had a fixed income stream, and parameters that decided where money was required to go, just like a school board. Two of my daughters have graduated from Nodaway Valley and one is currently enrolled.

Strengths I have observed for Nodaway Valley are our community support and pride. Members of our community are never hesitant to provide aid in various ways for our students, faculty and extracurricular activities. Another strength our school offers the students is the opportunity to participate in Career and Technical Education at Southwestern Community College. Not many small schools are capable of allowing their students to pursue something like this due to their distance from a community college.

Weaknesses for Nodaway Valley are our lack of being able to compete with larger school districts to give higher wages to teachers to attain longer-termed retention rates. Another weakness of the district is the portion of the financial side of which over $3.8 million comes from the property taxpayers of the district. Over 45% of the total taxes paid in the district go to the Nodaway Valley Schools. This is too much of a burden on our taxpayers long term, compared to other districts.

Of the three biggest issues related to the district I can play a positive role in, two are written above when weaknesses were discussed. A third issue related to the district is our declining population rate according to the latest census. This is an issue, because as population diminishes, our enrollment and financial budget decrease as well. As in farming, we face many adversities throughout the years. We always work through these issues and find a way to succeed in the end. I have spent many days lobbying in Washington D.C. and the Iowa State Capitol for issues related to farming, so I am more than willing and capable of reaching out to the right legislators to stand up for what our school district needs. In order to figure out what our school district needs most, however, I will be, and always am, willing to listen to parents, taxpayers and community members on what policies and financial changes we can adopt to further benefit our district and adapt them to maintain a safe and long-term, financially stable Nodaway Valley School District.

Kristen Jensen

My name is Kristen Jensen, I have an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences from Southwestern Community College and I am running for a seat on the Nodaway Valley School board.

Related experiences I have are that I participated in the Poweshiek Leadership Program and then served on the board for three years. I served on the Sunshine Daycare Board for three years, the Fontanelle Public Library board for three years and helped oversee its expansion project, organized and oversaw fundraising efforts for both the Fontanelle Fire Department and Fontanelle Library, participated in and served a seat with Nodaway Valley Elementary Booster Club for several years, founded and continue to help with the Friends of the Fontanelle Public Library, currently a member of Adair County Tourism and mom to two current Nodaway Valley students.

Strengths of Nodaway I have observed start with our community pride. Our communities are always there to support our schools to meet their needs. Whether it’s a fundraiser or sporting event, many are willing and able to step up and take tickets, bake, or participate in some way to make sure our schools are successful and supported. Another strength is we are blessed to have passionate teachers. We are blessed to have teachers that show up, no matter the long hours, little pay or limited resources. Our teachers are what ignite the passion in our kids to learn a trade, attend college and even return to give back by serving our communities.

Weaknesses of Nodaway Valley, as I have watched my kids grow up with the NV school district, are that I am alarmed by the rate of teacher and staff turnover over the years. It is not uncommon to have someone new start and then only stay for one to two years then move on. We need to find a way to make it enticing for new, or even current, hires to stay and want to start/keep their families here. If we can no longer employ a great staff, our kids and our school suffer, which effects enrollment. No extra enrollment means even more limatations on that we cannot afford. Literally. Although probably not unique to our district, another unfortunate weakness is the abundance of behavior issues within the schools. There is and has been additional strain on our staff when there are numerous class disruptions that stop class and the learning for the other students. We are short staffed in some areas to meet the emotional needs of our students. We also need resources to help our parents learn to better help their kids be successful in the classroom. How is it effective to have three time out rooms filled at the middle school by 9 a.m. because kids can’t behave or are having shouting matches with their peers? This is just one of the many examples I have experienced first hand.

Three of the biggest issues I can play a positive role in are meeting our children’s needs: We need to make sure that our children are meeting their educational and social benchmarks. They need to know they are heard and matter. Teacher/Staff turnover: Teachers and staff also need to know they are heard and matter. There is no reason both students and staff cannot succeed if they are supported correctly. Building upkeep: Proper funding needs to be available for our buildings to keep up with repairs and their improvement needs. I feel that proper care of our buildings will have a positive and lasting effect on our teachers and students. Our schools have the potential to thrive if given the opportunity. I feel that our school board, administrators, parents and communities need to step up and find ways to be part of the solution to these issues, rather than break them down. If elected, I hope to take the time to better understand our district processes, policies, and budget to make sound decisions to better our schools. In the end, I am just a parent, like everyone else, who wants what is best for her kids. I am choosing to run to help be a part of the change, and improve all children’s education, not just my own at Nodaway Valley in any way that I can.

Daniel Shilling

My name is Daniel Shilling, a graduate of Iowa Lakes Community College in Construction Technology, and I am running for a seat on the Nodaway Valley School Board.

In terms of related experience, this will be a new experience for me, but I am hoping to utilize my 15 plus years of project management, personnel management, sales and budgeting, customer service and extensive problem solving to the table. I currently have three of my children attending Nodaway Valley with two more younger ones expected to enroll in the near future.

During discussions that I have had with fellow parents, coaches and teachers, I believe the greatest strength for Nodaway Valley is that we have passionate people who care. More people engaged with topics concerning the school, our community and children is a fantastic thing.

Weaknesses for Nodaway Valley are that as a parent with children enrolled in the school, I would say communication has been an issue. Communication is key to expectations and resolving issues. Though trending in the right direction, Nodaway Valley also falls short of state averages in several categories.

The three biggest issues related to the school district I can play a positive role in, I’m not sure if I can put a number on or emphasize one issue over the other without addressing the issues previously mentioned. Most issues are byproducts of what has previously been mentioned in terms of communication. I’m sure more issues can and will be identified with more access to information that comes with being a member of any board. All issues will be addressed with a similar approach by identifying the facts, utilizing resources such as teachers, staff, coaches, other school board members (current and past), parents, the community and possibly other school districts. I think the goal is always to resolve any issue without creating additional issues and in the end producing the best results for our students’ safety and their future in terms of education.

Adam Woosley

My name is Adam Woosley, a graduate of Creston High School and I received an A&P license from Spartan School of Aeronautics and I am running for a seat on the Nodaway Valley School board.

Related experience I have are that I currently serve on the Avondale Church board as a trustee and have volunteered to assist coaches and leaders in my children’s sports and activities. I have three children in the school district, one in each building this year.

Two strengths of Nodaway Valley I have observed are many great teachers that truly care about the success of students and recognition of good behavior and academic achievements.

Two weaknesses of Nodaway Valley are communication and a lack of industrial education opportunities.

The three biggest issues for the district that I hope to play a positive role in are industrial education: I would like to see NV improve industrial education because I feel many students will be in professions in this field after graduation. I can use my experience to help. Middle school facility, building and sports complex: The building needs many repairs and the fields are needing work. Work with board members, staff and community to get repairs underway. Improve communication: Pass along information I receive that was not communicated appropiately in an effort to improve communication in the future.