Little drama in Scott County school board elections

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By Sheena Dooley | Saturday, September 6, 2008 11:12 AM CDT | () comments

For the first time in recent memory, candidates vying for school board seats in Scott County won’t face challengers.

All but one of the 11 people running in Tuesday’s local Iowa school board election are incumbents. None faces opposition. The only newcomer on the ballot is Krista Long, who is running for a seat in the North Scott School district left vacant by current board member Joni Dittmer, who decided not to seek re-election.

The lack of candidates comes at a time when Bettendorf and North Scott are searching for new superintendents, Pleasant Valley is building a new elementary school and Davenport is crafting a vision and long-range plan to guide future decisions regarding students’ education. All four districts are faced with increasing performance demands in the classroom, securing adequate funding and addressing changes in enrollment.

Board members will take the lead in tackling those issues, which will have effects that trickle down to the classroom. In addition, they decide how millions of dollars in taxpayer money are spent, where students attend school and what educational programs are offered.

Here is a breakdown of the candidates running for each district and the top issues they identified that need to be addressed.

Davenport

Ken Krumwiede and Timothy Tupper, both incumbents, are seeking three-year seats on the board.

Both named improving academic achievement among all students as a challenge facing the district, with Tupper making it his No. 1 priority.

Krumwiede said Davenport is also working to reach out to community organizations to craft its first new vision statement in more than a decade. That vision is the first tool in developing a framework that will set the district’s goals and influence how the district achieves them.

For example, it will guide how the board moves forward with issues such as improving athletic and extracurricular programs, creating equitable opportunities for advanced placement courses at all high schools, strengthening the connection between schools and families and updating technology in the classroom, all of which Tupper said need to be addressed.

Bettendorf

Incumbents Barry Anderson and Jeannine Crockett are looking to stay on the board, both running unopposed for three-year terms.

Their election comes on the heels of the school board’s June decision to move forward with terminating former Superintendent Marty Lucas’ contract after he was arrested last February for drunken driving. The board reached an agreement with Lucas, under which he resigned in return for almost $50,000.

Board members hired Harrison Cass Jr. to fill the district’s top position for this school year and will start their search for a permanent replacement for next school year this fall. Anderson and Crockett, who are the board’s president and vice president, respectively, will play critical roles in finding that person.

Meanwhile, the board is also starting to develop a strategic plan that will guide decisions related to spending, programs and student achievement, the two said.

Pleasant Valley

Incumbents Tony Huegel, Pamela Paulsen and Joe Bullock are seeking three-year positions on the board. Frank Dohmen, whom the board recently appointed to replace former board member Dan Schurr, will look to keep his seat, which has a term that expires next year.

Topping their list of priorities is the new elementary school planned to open at the Hopewell site in time for the start of the 2010-11 school year. The board is designing the expected $10 million building, which it will pay for with money generated by the statewide one-cent sales tax.

The new school will alleviate crowding caused by enrollment growth in the district. Until it opens, the board is faced with deciding what to do with additional students as they run out of places to put them, how many additional teachers to hire and how to maintain low class sizes. Also, they will ultimately have to redraw attendance boundaries, meaning they will decide how to shuffle students and fill the Hopewell school.

North Scott

Jack Hill and Paul Dierickx, both incumbents, want to keep their positions on the board and are running unopposed for three-year seats on the board. Krista Long, a parent, is looking to replace current board member Joni Dittmer, who is not seeking re-election.

The board is faced this school year with hiring a new superintendent, after former Superintendent Tim Dose unexpectedly died in July. Dennis Rucker, a retired Illinois superintendent is serving as the district’s interim leader this school year. It is the first time in seven years North Scott has undertaken a superintendent search.

In addition, the district has also contracted with a private company to study growth trends and projections in North Scott’s school boundaries. Board members will use results from the study, which are expected later this school year, to lay out a long-range plan for the district’s elementary, junior high and high schools.

Sheena Dooley can be contacted at (563) 383-2363 or sdooley@qctimes.com.

Candidate bios

Davenport

Timothy Tupper, 49

Family: Wife, Jodi, one son and one daughter.

School-aged children and where they attend: None.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Iowa and law degree from the University of Iowa.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the Davenport board for five years.

Experience pertinent to position: Board member at United Neighbors, oversight committee member of the Scott County family drug court and previous work experience in banking, finance and an attorney with extensive involvement in juvenile court.

Reason for running: To improve education opportunities for all students, to provide schools the resources they need to improve student achievement and to increase the high school graduation rate.

Skills: Background in banking, finance, statistical methods and organizational development.

Top three goals if elected: Improving academic achievement for all students, raising graduate rates and providing staff with adequate resources.

Ken Krumwiede, 62

Family: Wife, Jane; son, Christopher Krumwiede; and daughter, Elly Krumwiede.

School-aged children and where they attend: None.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in special education from University of Northern Iowa, master’s degree in special education from Marycrest College, and administrative certification from Western Illinois University.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the Davenport board for two years.

Experience pertinent to position: Taught elementary and junior high school, served as a special education consultant for an area education agency and a special education coordinator for the Davenport district and was a principal for 25 years.

Reason for running: “With my many years of experience in education at various levels, I feel I can contribute in decisions that are made by the board in the interest of the district and of our staff.”

Skills: Relationship building, communication, listening and reaching out to the community.

Top three goals if elected: Create a vision for the district, raise student achievement and maintain fiscal responsibility.

Bettendorf

Jeannine Crockett, 51

Family: Husband, David; one daughter, Lindsay; and three sons, Benjamin, Jonathan and Michael.

School-aged children and where they attend: One son who is a freshman at Bettendorf High School.

Education: Bachelor’s degrees in business and accounting from the University of Iowa and certified public accountant license.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the Bettendorf board for six years.

Experience pertinent to the position: 17 years as an accountant, six years as treasurer and one year as vice president of the Grant Wood Parent-Teacher Association, two years serving on the district’s facilities planning committee, and one year as secretary of the athletic boosters.

Reason for running: “I feel like I’ve invested the six years and have a pretty good knowledge of the school district and its operations. And I care about getting the best education for all children.”

Skills: Accounting background and being a team player, good listener and compassionate person.

Top three goals: Finding the best possible superintendent, improve student achievement and maintain high standards.

Barry Anderson, 56

Family: One daughter.

School-aged children and where they attend: Daughter is a sophomore at Bettendorf High School.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Northern Iowa and certified public accountant license.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the Bettendorf board for 15 years and served as its treasurer for another three years.

Experience pertinent to the position: 15 years of experience on the board and accounting/fiscal expertise.

Reason for running: “It’s just that continued commitment to our district as I have had in prior years. I feel we have a quality education system here. I want to be a part of maintaining that system and making sure we have the best opportunities for the kids in Bettendorf to get the best education that they can.”

Skills: Fiscal understanding and knowledge of education issues from previous years spent on the board.

Top three goals: Finding a permanent superintendent, maintaining a commitment to technology needs in the district and upholding fiscal responsibility.

Pleasant Valley School District candidates

Tony Huegel, 42

Family: Wife, Debbie, and three daughters.

School-aged children and where they attend: Daughters attend Pleasant Valley High School.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central College.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the Pleasant Valley board for three years.

Experience pertinent to position: 20-plus years experience in accounting and finance.

Reason for running: “Because of the complexity of school finances and issues having longevity helps in bringing experience to the board. Having some experience will help. Plus, it’s been a very rewarding first term.”

Skills: Accounting and finance experience.

Top three goals: Building Hopewell elementary school, balancing finances with the cost of growth, improve academic achievement.

Joe Bullock, 42

Family: Wife, Jennifer, and two children.

School-aged children and where they attend: One daughter who attends Riverdale Heights Elementary School.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Truman State University and a master’s degree in business administration from St. Ambrose University.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the Pleasant Valley board for one year.

Experience pertinent to the position: Fiscal responsibility, years spent on the school board and being a parent.

Reason for running: “We have a great school system in Pleasant Valley. Although it’s volunteer and it does take up a lot of time, I enjoy the time I put in and I feel like I can make a difference in my kids’ future and all kids’ future. The children of our community are our future. They are going to be running our country down the road and a good education is important. The rest of the world is focusing on a good education. The way we are competing with them, it’s important that our education system remain strong and get stronger.”

Skills: Financial knowledge, diplomatic, ability to listen to all sides before making a decision and willingness to ask questions.

Top three goals: Build Hopewell elementary school, improve students’ test scores and continue to work to provide opportunities for all children.

Frank Dohmen, 47

Family: Wife, Jonie Sue; son, Philip; daughters, Hannah, Alexis, Kylee and Jada.

School-aged children and where they attend: Three children who attend Cody Elementary, and one who attends Pleasant Valley High School.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Bradley University.

Prior experience on the school board: Was appointed to fill a position left vacant by Dan Schurr last month. If elected, he would fulfill the remainder of Schurr’s term, which expires next year.

Experience pertinent to the position: Served on a library board and Our Lady of the River Catholic parish council.

Reason for running: “To be more involved with what is going on in the school system.”

Skills: Keeping track of projects and making sure they move forward smoothly.

Top three goals: build Hopewell elementary school and continue to provide the same level of service to students without raising taxes.

North Scott School District candidates

Paul Dierickx, 51

Family: Wife, Jayne, and three children.

School-aged children and where they attend: None.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in agricultural business from Iowa State University.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the North Scott board for seven years.

Experience pertinent to position: Business experience running a farm for 25 years.

Reason for running: To provide growth in student achievement

Skills: Financial and business background, experience as a board member and common sense.

Top three goals: Continue to improve student achievement; hire a permanent superintendent who will provide leadership, direction and foresight; and maintain financial stability.

Jack Hill, 69

Family: Wife, Susan; two daughters, Jennifer Hill and Katie Skorupski; and two sons, Brian Hill and James Hill.

School-aged children and where they attend: None

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Iowa, master’s degree in industrial relations from the University of Iowa.

Prior experience on the school board: Has served on the North Scott board for 18 years

Experience pertinent to the position: Years spent serving on the school board

Reason for running: “I enjoy board work. I get satisfaction from getting to see kids improve and watching them accomplish things in the classroom and in activities. It’s mostly a fun job.”

Skills: Experience on the board and knowledge of the North Scott district.

Top three goals: Give students the best education possible, keep the district financially sound and working as a member of the “board-superintendent team.”

Krista Long, 43

Family: Husband, Kent, and son, Owen.

School-aged children and where they attend: Son attends Alan Sheppard Elementary School.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Iowa.

Prior experience on the school board: None.

Experience pertinent to position: Being a parent.

Reason for running: “I knew there was going to be vacancy and there weren’t a lot of people running, and I thought it was a good opportunity for me to serve my district and become involved.”

Skills: Attention to detail and a desire to make the best decision for students and taxpayers.

Top three goals: Long-range planning, hiring a superintendent and being a positive force on the board.