Clear Creek Amana Community School District hosted a candidate forum in advance of the upcoming election, where five candidates described priorities including teacher retention, community engagement and facilities planning, and officials clarified that Districts 2 and 4 will not list candidates on the printed ballot and instead must be filled by write-in votes or subsequent appointment.

At the forum, Board President Lisonbee Momony and Vice President Abdulman Bila opened the event and asked each candidate to introduce themselves. Candidates were Braden Smith (running as a District 2 write-in), Casey Cooney (at-large), Rick Hergert (at-large), Gabe Schapfeld (running as a District 4 write-in and currently serving in an at-large seat), and Nick Pfeiffer (on the ballot for District 3 to fulfill the remaining two years of a seat). Momony explained the ballot process and the sequence of appointments that would follow if a write-in candidate who currently holds an at-large seat wins a district seat.

The forum organizers explained the election mechanics: because no candidates submitted signatures in time to appear on the ballot for Districts 2 and 4, voters must write in Braden Smith for District 2 and may write in Gabe Schapfeld for District 4. Momony said that if Schapfeld is elected to District 4, he would resign his current at-large seat; that resignation would create two at-large seats. The at-large candidates with the most votes would receive a four-year at-large seat and the remaining newly opened at-large seat would be filled by appointment for two years. Momony also confirmed that Nick Pfeiffer’s name will appear on the ballot for District 3.

Candidates used prepared questions and a later audience question-and-answer segment to summarize what they would prioritize if elected. Braden Smith said his motivation is to be an "advocate for our teachers and staff" and described his professional background as a data and analytics specialist at the University of Iowa and service on the CCA Foundation Board. Casey Cooney emphasized teacher support, "curriculum innovation" including AP and STEM expansion, and partnerships with local businesses to fund growth while preserving the district's community feel. Rick Hergert, a lifelong resident of Amana and a former board member, focused on keeping class sizes small and supporting specialized programming at Manor Elementary in Bridal — he also referenced experience with budgeting and hiring from his private-sector work.

Gabe Schapfeld, a current at-large board member, said he would work to "leave the board seat in a better place than when you found it" and emphasized collaboration with district staff. Nick Pfeiffer said he seeks to "become a top 15 school in the state," retain 95% of desired teachers and reduce open enrollment by 50%.

On a question about the district’s biggest challenges and opportunities, candidates repeatedly cited teacher and staff retention, district growth and branding, competition with neighboring districts that draw students via open enrollment, facility planning and the potential to expand career and technical pathways in partnership with local businesses and unions. Specific suggestions included dual-use community partnerships for facilities, a renewed facilities committee to assess needs as enrollment changes, outreach events to connect the many small towns that make up the district, and strengthened communication between the board, superintendent and residents.

When asked about governance versus operations, candidates described governance as setting policy, vision and budget while operations are the superintendent-led day-to-day work. Multiple candidates said the board should hire, evaluate and support the superintendent while avoiding micromanagement.

The forum concluded with Momony reiterating the ballot instructions: Nick Pfeiffer will appear on the ballot for District 3; voters will see at-large candidates Casey Cooney and Rick Hergert on the ballot; and voters who wish to fill Districts 2 and 4 at the ballot box should write in Braden Smith (District 2) and Gabe Schapfeld (District 4). Momony said appointments to fill any resulting at-large vacancy would last two years.