Linn‑Mar appoints Midhat Mansoor to board; student urges theatre repairs, resident urges stronger inclusion steps
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Summary
After public comments calling for theatre repairs and more action on inclusion following a homecoming incident, the Linn‑Mar board appointed Midhat Mansoor to a vacant seat by voice vote and administered the oath.
The Linn‑Mar Community School District board voted Oct. 7 to appoint Midhat Mansoor to fill a vacant seat and heard audience comments focused on school facilities and LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Public comments: Jesse Zurer, a Linn‑Mar fine‑arts senior, told the board the high‑school “little theater,” constructed decades ago, needs upgrades to lighting, curtains and the projection screen after the screen fell and was damaged last spring. “All I’m asking is for your guys’ support and help, to get some of these… problems fixed, especially the projection screen,” Jesse said.
Iris Strong, speaking as a Marion resident and a member of a local alliance for equity, thanked the district for responding to a recent homecoming parade incident and urged more transparency, education and visible action beyond a social‑media statement to protect LGBTQ+ students. “Hate and discrimination have no place here,” Strong said, and asked the board to pursue sustained measures to strengthen student safety and inclusion.
Board action: The board moved to appoint Midhat Mansoor to fill the board vacancy created by Rachel Wall’s resignation and to complete the term through the November 2025 election. The motion to appoint Mansoor was seconded, passed by voice vote and Mansoor was sworn in at the meeting.
Votes at a glance (recorded outcomes): - Adoption of agenda: approved by voice vote (motion/second recorded earlier in meeting). - Appoint Midhat Mansoor to vacant board seat: motion made and seconded; approved by voice vote; oath administered; Mansoor seated. - Open‑enrollment requests: approved by voice vote. - Consent agenda (including personnel items and fundraising approvals): approved by voice vote.
Board and staff response: During mission moment and later discussion, multiple board members acknowledged the theatre‑production crew’s resiliency during a lighting failure and said facility needs raised in public comment would be considered in facilities planning. Administrators noted facilities projects underway — including a performance venue under construction and schematic work on a new activity center — and said bids are out for a new scoreboard at the athletic stadium.
What’s next: The newly appointed board member will serve until the Nov. 2025 election; the board directed staff to continue vetting facilities priorities and to bring back necessary cost or prioritization details for consideration in facilities planning and budgeting cycles.