We asked the Ames school board and city council candidates questions and they answered. Here's what they said.
The campaign trail is heating up, with Election Day fast approaching.
Five Ames City Council seats are up for grabs as Nov. 7 nears, though the incumbents seeking reelection are running unopposed. The four open Ames Community School District school seats are also uncontested, with a pair of incumbents seeking reelection as well.
A few of the current Ames councilmembers are seeking election in wards different from their current positions.
The early voting period in Iowa began Wednesday. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 23.
Polls will be open Nov. 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you can find your precinct and polling location on the Secretary of State's website.
The Ames Tribune reached out to each of the local political candidates. Here are their responses:
Ames Community School District Board of Director candidates
(Four candidates for four seats)
Allen Bierbaum
Age: 47
Grew up: Atlantic
Current home: Ames
Education: PhD Computer Engineering, Iowa State
Political experience: Ames School Board - June 2018-present, Ames Park and Recreation Commission
Why are you running for the school board?
I am running for school board because I think our community needs to do everything possible to support our kids. During my time on the school board, I have gained an appreciation for the great work that the staff is doing for our students and I want to continue to help support them.
What is the most pressing issue facing the school district and how would you address it?
The district and community spent the last year developing a strategic plan. It includes input from across the community and touches all aspects of the educational experience for our students. It is now incumbent upon us to take the resulting plan and execute it and refine it as we measure results. The plan focuses not just on one issue, but a host of issues that we need to address and improve.
How would you balance the needs of students and staff while complying with a new state law, Senate File 496, that restricts certain books and LGBTQ instruction for certain grades?
The district has been supporting all of our students in Ames for as long as I can remember, and I am sure we will continue to focus on students while following this law. What concerns me is that the legislature continues to cut funding to education. They restrict how much Ames is able to spend on our own students. The effective funding districts can spend on students is now 10% less than it was just a few short years ago. These deep funding cuts forced by the state lead to less teachers, less support staff, and less resources for students.
Angie DeWaard
Age: 44
Grew up: I was born in Fort Dodge. We moved around a bit before settling in Ogden. Go Bulldogs!
Current home: Ames
Education: I went to Ogden High School prior to attending Iowa State University.
Political experience: Mayoral appointment to city's Public Art Commission (April 2017 - March 2023), Mayoral appointment to Ames Human Relations Commission (April 2023 - current), Elected to Eagle's Loft Board of Directors, Appointed to Ames FUMC Christian Education Ministry Team, ACSD experience: 9 years on Kate MItchell PTA, with the last three as president. Working on forming alliances between all elementary PTOs/PTAs. SIAC committee, superintendent search focus group, strategic planning subcommittee on Communications, etc.
Why are you running for the school board?
Running for the school board is a deep commitment, driven by my firm personal belief in community service. I hope to be a positive role model for my own children in terms of our responsibility to leave our community better than we found it. My extensive experience in community groups equips me with valuable insights and skills that would be useful as a board member. I value unity, active listening, and genuine engagement. I'm dedicated to promoting these values in our education system. I see the school board as a chance to meaningfully contribute to our community's growth and to advocate for all students, especially those without a voice.
What is the most pressing issue facing the school district and how would you address it?
A paramount issue in Iowa's public schools is funding. Adequate resources enable us to support all students, addressing hunger, mental health, advanced learning, teacher development, and more. Solving these issues requires advocacy and legislation at state and national levels. Locally, I aim to work creatively with the school to bridge funding gaps, leveraging my data analysis experience to support solutions for staffing, mental health, student hunger, technology disparities, and more. By partnering with local organizations and corporations, we can supplement district resources and empower every student to reach their academic potential.
How would you balance the needs of students and staff while complying with a new state law, Senate File 496, that restricts certain books and LGBTQ instruction for certain grades?
Senate File 496 poses significant challenges. Unfortunately, we can't resolve all issues stemming from this legislation. It may lead to a lack of representation, outing individuals, and potentially harmful situations. To support affected staff and students, the district can advocate within legal boundaries. This could involve guiding staff towards EAP and similar programs, offering training on mental health first aid and inclusivity, establishing mentorship or ally programs, collaborating with local mental health services for trauma treatment, and ensuring staff can identify and address abuse effectively. These actions aim to provide some assistance within the constraints of the law.
William Scott Dryer
Age: 58
Grew up: Indianola
Current home: Ames
Education: UNI: Bachelors in English Education, Drake: Masters in Educational Leadership (Principal Licensure), Drake: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (Superintendent Licensure) ABD.
Political experience: ASSET Board for the City of Ames (2022-23), Cyclone Gridiron Club Board (2019-22), Ames School Board candidate 2021, Iowa High School Athletic Association Representative Council, Iowa Girls Athletic Union Representative Council
Why are you running for the school board?
I have spent my entire professional career in education, and this is a great way to serve our community and our schools.
What is the most pressing issue facing the school district and how would you address it?
There are multiple issues facing education in Iowa, and one of those issues is the shortage of teachers. Working to make sure our Board supports teachers in every way possible and providing support for quality mentoring and induction programs are a couple of ways I can help to address this shortage from the Board table.
How would you balance the needs of students and staff while complying with a new state law, Senate File 496, that restricts certain books and LGBTQ instruction for certain grades?
Working closely with our libraries and our curriculum development teams to make sure we are meeting the needs of our students and staff.
Sabrina Shields-Cook
Age: 44
Grew up: Ames
Current home: Ames
Education: B.A. in Anthropology from University of Iowa, M.A. in Professional Communication from Iowa State
Political experience: Director, Ames Community School Board November 2019-present
Why are you running for the school board?
I have had the pleasure to serve on the school board for the past four years, three of those as board president, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am passionate about public education and willing to dedicate time to continue improving our school district so we can meet the needs of every student as well as to fight for public education at the state level. I am ready to enter my second term and take on the challenge of advocating for public education at the state capitol.
What is the most pressing issue facing the school district and how would you address it?
The most pressing issue facing our district is the lack of support for public education at the state level. For many years, the state has failed to provide adequate funding for school districts to continue their existing programs and to create new, innovative programs to address the ever-changing needs of our students. If we want smaller class sizes, increased one-on-one support for students, increased mental health supports for students and staff, etc., we need funding. I plan to address this by advocating through our local legislators and at the state capitol.
How would you balance the needs of students and staff while complying with a new state law, Senate File 496, that restricts certain books and LGBTQ instruction for certain grades?
As the parent of a trans student, this issue is close to my heart. I have confidence that our staff will do everything they can to support students (and staff) in light of these new laws. And while support is helpful, it does not solve the problem. It does not take the place of representation. All students deserve to see themselves reflected in the books they read. So while I believe our district staff will do their best to support students, we can't fix this problem without advocating at the state level for change.
Ames City Council
(Five candidates for five seats)
Anita Rollins
Office sought: Ames City Council At-Large
Age: 68
Grew up: Des Moines
Current home: Ames
Education: B.S. University of Kansas; M.S. Iowa State University
Political experience: Ames Community School District Board of Directors 2006-2009; Ames City Council, Ward 3 Representative, 2022-present
Why are you running city council?
Community service has been important to me my entire adult life, and serving on the city council is one of the ways I believe I can continue to be of benefit to the community. My background and experiences — having lived in a number of cities, raised a family [and both owned and rented housing] in Ames, and having worked at Iowa State for more than 20 years — provide a perspective that can be useful to meeting the goals and accomplishing the work of the Council. Having only served two years, I would love the opportunity to serve again.
What is the biggest issue facing your community and how would you address it?
While there are a number of important issues facing the Ames community, one continues to be affordable housing — both for those who are unhoused and for blue-collar, working class citizens. The Council is continuing its work of considering how its policies may work against creating more affordable housing, and how changing what we permit, and where we permit it, can perhaps increase housing stock. But we also have to consider new models (like cottage housing), revisiting old ones (mobile homes), and developing new partnerships. I look forward to continuing those discussions.
Why should residents vote for you?
I have lived in the Ames community more than 30 years. I have been active in the community during that time in a variety of ways, which has created a number of community connections that I think are beneficial to understanding our citizenry. Also, I believe my approach in decision making — my willingness to be accessible to citizens, my commitment to listening and learning, my willingness to have my viewpoints challenged, and my focus on considering the voices not in the room — make me valuable in the discussions and decisions.
Tim Gartin
Office sought: Ames City Council (Ward 2)
Age: 56
Grew up: Mt. Pleasant
Current home: Ames
Education: B.A. in English (Iowa Wesleyan College); M.A. in English (ISU); J.D. (Northern Illinois University)
Political experience: (Please list elected offices held and years. It’s OK to include offices sought but lost, and significant volunteer work.) Served for ten years on the Ames City Council.
Why are you running?
To advocate for common sense solutions to the challenges facing Ames. To advocate for solid budgeting in a time of changes to the way cities budget. To see the quality of life maintained and improved. To create paths of opportunity for those who are facing challenges. To encourage economic develop in ways that provide both blue and white collar job opportunities. To encourage more housing options.
What is the biggest issue facing your community and how would you address it?
We are addressing important issues but it is very difficult for us to engage the public and receive input on important issues.
We have a housing challenge nationally and locally. Very little entry-level housing. It is very, very difficult to building affordable housing.
Why should residents vote for you?
I will seek to protect neighborhoods with common sense solutions, be careful with the budget, and try to create paths of opportunities for all of our residents.
Gloria Betcher
Office sought: Ames City Council Ward 3
Age: 60
Grew up: Red Wing, Minnesota
Current home: Ames
Education: BA, cum laude in Latin & medieval studies, St Olaf College; MA and PhD, in English, U of Minnesota
Political experience: 2014-2023 Ames City Council representing Ward 1; 2015-2023 Discover Ames Board & Executive Committee; 2019-2021 Chair, National League of Cities University Communities Council; 2014-2015 Ames Economic Development Commission Board; 2011-2013 President and Interim Executive Director, Preservation Iowa; 2004-2011 Chair of Ames Historic Preservation Commission
Why are you running city council?
In these challenging times when politics are so divisive at the state and national levels, having continuity on the City Council is extremely important, and keeping our decision-making as non-partisan as possible is even more important. I am committed to non-partisan government and to this community, and I enjoy helping the City of Ames address the needs of our residents so that everyone may have as high a quality of life as possible.
What is the biggest issue facing your community and how would you address it?
The most important issue at present is the hamstringing of local government’s ability to levy at a reasonable and individually established rate for fire, police, library, and parks & recreation services. With hands tied to levy as needed, we have few choices besides strategically cutting services or voting out those who would usurp our power as legally elected representatives of our community. We also face the challenge of most mid-sized college towns: lack of housing options to create affordability. We must continue to seek ways to create more housing variety while preserving lower-cost housing stock through incentives and other means.
Why should residents vote for you?
I have a track record for being fair-minded and listening to all sides of an issue. Voters always know where I stand, whether they like my stance or not.
Rachel Junck
Office sought: Ames City Council Ward 4
Age: 24
Grew up: Ames
Current home: Ames
Education: B.S. Chemical Engineering and M.B.A. from Iowa State University
Political experience: Current Ames City Council Ward 4 representative, from January 2020 to present
Why are you running city council?
I am running for reelection to the Ames City Council because I’m passionate about representing the people of Ames and making our community a better place. In my first term on the council, I was able to be a voice for both parts of our community: the students at Iowa State University and the year-round residents of Ames. While we have been able to accomplish a lot as a council the past four years, our work on climate change, affordable housing, multimodal transportation, community wellness and more is ongoing, and I’m eager to continue making forward progress on the city council.
What is the biggest issue facing your community and how would you address it?
While Ames faces many issues, one is that when ISU students graduate, many of them leave Ames and even the state of Iowa for employment opportunities elsewhere. This contributes to the “brain drain,” instead of being able to retain our educated population and have them build their lives and careers in Ames. To address this issue, the city should focus on three areas: workforce, housing, and amenities throughout the community. If we develop policies and programs supporting these areas, it would help graduates to find a job, secure affordable housing, and choose to stay in our community after graduation.
Why should residents vote for you?
I have been lucky enough to live in Ames my entire life, which comes with a strong appreciation for the people and community here, and a desire to make Ames the best place it can be. I have had a wide swath of experiences as an Ames resident, which helps me to understand both the students and the year-round residents' concerns and ideas for the future. Having a diverse set of backgrounds on the council helps us to make the best decisions possible, and my experience brings both of these important perspectives to the city council dais.
Ronna Faaborg is a reporter for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rlawless@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Meet the candidates running for Ames City Council and school board
