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Candidates call for better district communication, more public engagement and support for extracurricular access
Summary
Candidates recommended more accessible board communications and town-hall style forums, and described volunteer, donation and other approaches to reduce barriers to extracurricular participation.
During the candidate forum at Urbandale High School, candidates emphasized improving communication between the school board, district administration, parents and students and described ways to make extracurriculars more accessible.
Mark Solomon said the bar for getting items on the board agenda is "way too high" and proposed more open dialogue and opportunities similar to the forum format, calling for easier ways for parents and students to get community concerns reviewed. Another candidate said Iowa law regulates how agenda items are set, and noted there are other avenues for input to administration and the board.
Candidates described practical efforts to increase extracurricular access: Rachel Kent said she volunteers at events, helps with booster clubs and donates equipment; she described donation of cleats, bats and helmets to reduce equipment cost barriers. Other candidates said they attend games and events and volunteer at concessions and competitions. Candidates also said the board should advocate for activities that lack funding and ensure equitable attention across sports, band and other programs.
Several candidates urged more town-hall style opportunities and better two-way communication beyond the standard two-minute public comment format so concerns can be discussed in depth. No binding procedural changes were proposed at the forum; candidates spoke about approaches they would support if elected.
