School News

Election Results: We Welcome Our Four Newly Elected School Board Directors

Election results

We welcome the following four new Urbandale CSD Board Directors following the School Board Election on September 12, 2017:

Stacy Andersen

Judy Downs

Sarah Schmitz

Mark Smith

We’re thankful for your service!

2017 Urbandale CSD School Board

Newly Elected Urbandale CSD School Board Directors

Stacy Andersen

Term: Running for a 4-year term

Contact: (515) 554-5495; stacyforschoolboard@gmail.com

1. How would you describe your leadership capacity?

My recent background is as an Investigator with a private law firm. I’ve served professionally, as a leader, by training and mentoring new employees while at Nationwide. While working out of Lincoln, Nebraska, I served on the Nationwide Employee Charity Committee, which focused on fighting hunger. I’ve previously served on the Christian Education Committee at my church, Urbandale United Church of Christ, and volunteer extensively with Sunday School and other youth education programs. These programs have allowed me to spend valuable time with our youth understanding the importance of teaching the whole child.

I feel as a strong leader it’s best to listen to all opinions, and cast a sincere vote with honor and integrity. As a leader I understand that the foundation of the board is mutual respect and trust.

2. Why would you like to serve on the Urbandale CSD Board?

I’m a mother of a 4th grader at Karen Acres, and an Urbandale High School Alumnus. I would like the opportunity to give back to the community that has been such a big part of my life. As a concerned parent I’ve been attending board meetings for the better part of a year. I’ve seen the issues unique to Urbandale and would like the opportunity to take ownership of solutions for our issues.

One of the many issues I’m passionate about is teacher engagement. Currently Gallup survey polls show abysmal levels of engagement, and certain schools are continually underperforming. The current board has shown deep concern regarding this issue. I would like to assist with investigating why UCSD is having this issue, and work to resolve it through teacher input, and positive change.

3. In what ways do you believe you can best contribute?

My attendance at board meetings has enhanced my learning about issues all school boards face, as well as, Urbandale Community issues. I’ve taken the time to get to know all of our existing board members to learn how I can best serve Urbandale Community Schools. I have meticulous attention to detail and the ability to see the bigger picture, and what’s at stake for our youth.

Judy Downs

Term: Running for a 2-year term

Contact: (515) 314-5762; judymdowns@gmail.com

1. How would you describe your leadership capacity?

My capacity for leadership stems from my passion for learning and self improvement. I have been lucky to have strong mentors and role models in my life who have shown me a broad spectrum of leadership styles. I consider myself a participatory leader who seeks to understand perspective before making a decision. I don’t believe a strong leader should have all the answers, but should know where to find them.

2. Why would you like to serve on the Urbandale CSD Board?

I am passionate about community improvement and, in this time of great uncertainty, I feel that now is the time to commit my time and skills to serve our school district. My parents chose to raise me in Central Iowa because of the high value we put on public education. When deciding where to raise our son, my husband and I chose Urbandale for its strong schools and community. In a few years my son, niece and nephew will enter the Urbandale Public School system and I want to help make sure that it remains both student-focused and teacher-friendly in this tumultuous environment.

3. In what ways do you believe you can best contribute?

My strongest contribution will be my ability to effectively and creatively solve problems. There are complex challenges facing our district and I will join the board with a positive approach to addressing these challenges. Additionally, I will bring a wide background of experience working on and with a board. I have had the honor of working for, and serving on, a wide variety of education-focused boards and will bring a professional knowledge which will allow me to get to work right away while having the ability to seek consensus when needed and to manage differences of opinion will help promote board efficiency and effectiveness.

Sarah Schmitz

Term: Running for a 4-year term

Contact: (319) 750-7367; gresynkirby12@gmail.com

1. How would you describe your leadership capacity?

In leadership my goal is to take my vision and turn it into a positive and productive outcome for all. I am a leader who enjoys taking charge while working collaboratively however I am also quite comfortable following the lead of a team for the betterment of the community. I try to learn from each new experience as it ensures continued growth. My greatest leadership strengths are my ability to work as a team, to ask questions, and to advocate for the needs of a community.

2. Why would you like to serve on the Urbandale CSD Board?

My desire to serve on the Urbandale School Board was fueled by my desire to see Urbandale move forward and to remain one of the great School Districts in the Metro. I feel that in my short time in the community I have learned a great deal about Urbandale by getting involved in multiple areas of the School District. Bringing my outside views and my experience to the School Board should have a positive impact on the district. I have three young sons in the Urbandale school system which makes the success of the district personal to me as well.

3. In what ways do you believe you can best contribute?

I feel my background working within an educational system and my experience with the social and emotional needs of a system will benefit me and the school district if I advance as a member of the school board. My ability to advocate for staff, students, and families will be an asset as a member of the School Board.

Mark Smith

Term: Running for a 4-year term

Contact: (515) 528-9029; mark@keylawpc.com

1. How would you describe your leadership capacity?

I believe the skillsets I have developed and honed as an attorney and business owner in my career, along with the varied opportunities I have been afforded to employ those skills in the legal and business industries, have helped me become an effective and thoughtful leader. Whether I am acting as a trusted advisor/counselor to businesses, advocating for clients in the courtroom, managing employees, or volunteering in schools or coaching my kids’ teams, I have learned that effective leadership requires not only clear and logical communication, but that it also lies in the collective of the people involved. Without listening to the persons involved or understanding the issues and goals that need to be addressed, I do not believe a person can be a consistently good leader, no matter the vision or motivation.

After my family and I moved to the Urbandale community from out of state in 2012, I have had the opportunity to become increasing involved in and learn about the Urbandale community and its schools, including through active involvement at my kids’ elementary (Valerius) and through coaching my sons’ and daughter’s basketball and soccer teams. My wife and I specifically chose to move to Urbandale, in part, because of the educational opportunities that existed and continue to exist for our children. In addition to whatever legal and business acumen I may bring to the table as a potential school board member, I believe I also bring a unique leadership view having come from outside the community, and am willing to look outside the proverbial box and ask tough questions that need to be asked.

2. Why would you like to serve on the Urbandale CSD Board?

I believe in community involvement, especially when it concerns the wellbeing and future of children. As parents, education of our children is paramount to my wife and me. Given the current ages of my children (13, 10, and 7), I have a vested interest now and for the foreseeable future in being involved in the Urbandale community and in helping guide the future, including the stability and growth, of the Urbandale school system. Additionally, the Urbandale school district will be facing many important issues over the next few years, whether it be in the realms of new/improved facilities projects, or attracting and retaining educators who are happy and involved, or how technology is changing the educational climate for students. At the end of the day, though, I want to ensure the focus is still on providing the best education we can as a community for our students. As espoused by the Center for Public Education on the role of the school board, “education is not a line item on the school board’s agenda – it is the only item.” To state it succinctly, I would like to serve on the Urbandale CSD Board to work for the betterment of our community’s education system and ensure there continues to be an active voice focused on achieving the best education possible for our students and the future generations of Urbandale students.

3. In what ways do you believe you can best contribute?

I believe my legal and business background can assist the board to reach sound decisions, legally, fiscally, and educationally. Additionally, as an attorney, I am well versed with the necessity of understanding the many sides to issues, including the importance of facilitating civil, productive discussions whereby a decision can ultimately be made, even if not everyone agrees. Finally, as a parent of three children who next year will be at each of the levels (high school, middle school, and elementary), I hope to have a good measure of the pulse of the school system, as well as any potential issues looming on the horizon.