Meet Clear Lake School Board incumbent Deb Betz

Please supply a brief personal biography as an opening paragraph.  Be sure to include information about your family, educational background, occupation and other work/life experiences.
    My husband, Dave, and I are the proud parents of four children.  Drew, 23, is a 2004 Clear Lake High School graduate.  He attended Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and graduated in 2006 with an AA degree in business.  He currently resides in Clear Lake and is the owner/operator of Custom Pro Audio/Video, Inc.  Devin, 20, is a 2007 Clear Lake High School graduate and currently works part-time in the custodial department in the Clear Lake Middle School.  He lives in his own apartment in Clear Lake and receives services from Opportunity Village.  Dailey, 13, is an eighth grader and participates in volleyball, track, softball, and chorus. In addition, she is also an Excel student.   Darby, 11, is a fifth grader at Clear Creek and enjoys being in the Just For Kix dance program.  She has just started band this year and is looking forward to learning how to play the clarinet.  Dave and I are also the proud grandparents of Alexis Ann Betz.  She was born on May 4, 2008, to Drew and Nikki.
     I attended Twin Rivers High School in Bode, Iowa, and graduated as Valedictorian in 1985.  I then attended Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and graduated with honors in 1986.  Currently, I am secretary/treasurer for the Bayside Court Homeowner’s Association and a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura.
     I am employed as Office Manager at the Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter.  Prior to joining the Mirror-Reporter staff in January of 2006, I was the store manager for A Heavenly Celebration in Clear Lake.   

    Why have you decided to seek re-election:  Deciding to run for re-election was a very easy decision for me.  This past year has exceeded my expectations of what I had anticipated by being a member of the Clear Lake School Board.  The experience has opened my eyes even more as to what Clear Lake Schools has to offer its students.  This past year has been a very rewarding and positive experience.  I have learned so much in such a short amount of time, and I feel as though one year isn’t nearly enough.  Therefore, I am truly looking forward to serving on the Clear Lake School Board for three more years.  I want to continue to give back to the school for the great things that happened to me and my family since we moved here in 2002.

    Job experience or qualifications you feel relate to your candidacy:  Serving one year on the Clear Lake School Board is the best experience one can have in order to be qualified for this position.  I have also served on the Conduct Policy and Trust Committees.  In addition, I am only one step away from completing my Academy of Board Learning Experiences (ABLE) Certification.  Other qualifications include parenting four children, especially one with special needs.  One must be organized and able to handle multiple situations at once.  There are many challenges that may arise while raising a child with special needs, and I feel that this experience has made me a much stronger person and has given me the ability to face the many challenges that may arise while being on the School Board. 

     What qualities and characteristics make an effective School Board member?  In order to be an effective School Board member, one’s focus should be on improving student achievement.  One should act with professionalism and integrity and work well as a team.  One must be able to commit the time and energy needed to serve on the board and be willing to attend workshops and seminars in order to expand their ability to serve more effectively.  One must also be able to listen and communicate with the public. 
    Please identify the top three challenges you see facing the Clear Lake School District in the next three years:  The top three challenges facing the Clear Lake School District would be the budget, enrollment, and continued improvement in student achievement. 

    The Clear Lake School Board is ready to embark on its search for a new superintendent.  What do you feel are the most important qualities a candidate must possess?  Is it necessary for the district to hire a consultant for the search?    The next superintendent should possess true leadership abilities, along with prior superintendent experience.  In addition, because of budget concerns, he/she must show that he/she can be fudiciarily responsible, especially in these tough economic times.  This person should also be very active in the community and be able to effectively communicate with the parents and citizens of this district.  But above all, this person’s main priority should always be the students of the Clear Lake Community School District.  It will not be necessary to hire a consultant as the School Board, along with Mr. Pierson,  have already decided to do the search themselves.
 
    What areas do you feel the district should concentrate on to stabilze or increase its enrollment numbers?  If the Clear Lake School District continues to make sure that student achievement remains the top priority, I feel that our numbers should stabilize.  As a whole, the community needs to come together for the betterment of all students.  There are so many reasons why Clear Lake is a great place to live, and the school is no exception.  Realizing that students do have a choice because of the Open Enrollment policy, but knowing that Clear Lake is committed to making sure that every single student is important to us.   
 
    The Board has been forced to make tough budget cuts in recent years.  Do you forsee this trend continuing?  If so, where do you believe spending can be trimmed?  Yes, unfortunately I do see the trend continuing.  The state is not giving us the amount of dollars needed for each student.  We are only receiving 4 percent allowable growth, and 6 percent should be the minimum necessary in order the meet the general fund expenses.  The Iowa Association of School Board’s top priority is trying to get the extra dollars needed for all districts.  It is such a huge challenge, but by everyone working together, we can hopefully stay within our budget for the next year.  With the cuts that were made this past year, we were able to get things back on track.

    Additional comments:  Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to serve on the Clear Lake School Board.  This past year has been one of the best experiences I have ever had and your continued support is very much appreciated.  Even though I am running unopposed, I will not take my position on the School Board for granted.  It is a very important role, and I am very honored to be a member of the Clear Lake School Board.

Meet Ventura candidate Steve Watson

Please supply a brief personal biography as an opening paragraph.  Be sure to include information about your family, educational background, occupation and other work/life experiences. 
    I’m a Ventura High School graduate and went on to Iowa Lakes Community College, earning a degree in Auto Body Collision Repair.  I have been married 20 years to my wife, Wendy, and we have two children, Whitney Jo, 12, and Kelsey, six, who are both enrolled in the Ventura School System.  I’m currently employed with DuPont as a sales representative.

    Why have you decided to seek election:  I have been asked by numerous people and I want to help guide the Ventura School District.

    Job experience or qualifications you feel relate to your candidacy:  With being in sales, you need to work and listen to what peoples’ needs are and be able to implement them.

    What qualities and characteristics make an effective School Board member?
•Open minded
•Good listener
•Fair
•Realistic ideas
•Work well with people
•Responsible
   
    Please identify the top three challenges you see facing the Ventura School District in the next three years:
    •Facilities
    •Budget
    •Enrollment

    A bond issue which would have provided funding for a new science lab and other physical improvements to Ventura High School was defeated for a third time recently.  Do you favor another bond issue?  If so, when?  And what can, and should, the district do in the meantime?  Yes.  We will need to evaluate (when to hold another vote).  We need to continue to maintain our facilities.
   

What areas do you feel the district should concentrate on to stabilze or increase its enrollment numbers?  Promoting the things a smaller school has to offer.

    The Board has been forced to make tough budget cuts in recent years.  Do you forsee this trend continuing?  If so, where do you believe spending can be trimmed?  Yes.  All areas need to be looked at and evaluated at that time so the best decisions can be made.

    Additional comments:  None.