Meet the Urbandale school board candidates
Five candidates are running for four seats on the Urbandale school board. Incumbents Katherine Howsare and Judy Downs are seeking reelection. They face challengers Ashley Anderson, Brianna Sayre Geiser and John Hollebrands.
Current school board members Aldrich Cabildo and Tanya Ruden are not seeking reelection.
Ashley Anderson
Age: 32
Place of birth: Edina, Minnesota
Grew up: Proctor, Minnesota
Current home: Urbandale
Education: The College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, Minnesota, 2010
Work history: Stay at home mom since 2015; previously office manager at various chiropractic clinics
Political experience: None
Civic involvement: Indivisible Iowa, Action Iowa, Postcards to Iowa Voters, Urbandale Fourth of July committee, Lions Club of Urbandale
Website: AshleyForUrbandaleSchools.com
Facebook: Ashley for Urbandale school board
List your top three priorities for the school district and how you would address them.
Support and invest in Urbandale’s teachers: Urbandale has quality educators that attract students from throughout the metro. It is imperative that we are listening to them, giving them more independence in their classrooms, increasing their salaries, and providing greater educational opportunities so they can grow in their profession. We need to offer a greater ability for advancement and give them the trust that they deserve as professionals. Our teachers have proven their commitment to connecting with our students, educating them, and preparing them for a successful future. They deserve to have the ability, time, and our support to do that.
Advocate for students and public education with lawmakers: Our district sends lobbying recommendations to the Iowa Association of School Boards each year, but we need to do more. We need to be more direct in our lobbying, speaking with representatives personally about what is happening in our district so they have information reflective of the district they represent at the state level. It’s essential to demonstrate how under funding education can hurt our district, our students, and our community. It also provides for more direct examples of programs that are successful and could be implemented statewide.
Encourage innovation and equity in the district: As our district ages, our buildings will need to be updated and adaptable for both changes in technology and changes in how we educate. I want to make sure that we are nimble and able to adapt in an ever-changing future. We need to be equitable across the district with financing and opportunities through a student-focused lens. It is crucial we consider the different challenges our students face so that each of them can reach their full potential and have the skills necessary to succeed.
Judy Downs
Age: 31
Place of birth: Ames
Grew up: Des Moines
Current home: Urbandale
Education: Millsaps College
Work history: Currently executive director for Polk County Democratic Party; previously executive director for Emerge Iowa, development director for Iowa Environmental Council, director of events, membership, and sales for Living History Farms, manager of promotions, events, and volunteers at Science Center of Iowa
Political experience: Urbandale school board, 2017-present
Civic involvement: Currently Plymouth Church Board of Christian Social Action board member; previously Camp Fire, Heart of Iowa board member, Young NonProfit Professionals, Theodore Roosevelt High School Foundation
Website: judydowns.com
Twitter: @judymdowns
Facebook: Judy Downs - Urbandale School Board
List your top three priorities for the school district and how you would address them.
Student achievement: The mission of the Urbandale school district is, “Teaching all and reaching all.” In order to truly accomplish this goal, we need to meet ever-changing opportunities to give each student the tools and support they need to succeed. In the coming years, I will advocate for open communication between students, educators and the board in order to ensure the board is approving truly effective policy that enhances student achievement.
Equity, diversity and inclusion: I believe that every Urbandale student deserves equal access to excellent teachers, curriculum and 21st-century facilities. Unfortunately, our district, like many others, has an achievement and discipline gap that needs immediate attention. I am committed to making Urbandale a leader in Iowa and invest in training, tools and staff that are committed to closing the achievement gap and creating equitable behavior management policies.
Advocating for public education: I believe school boards play a major role in promoting the value of public education to the Iowa Legislature. There is only so much we can do to pay our teachers well, protect our students from violence and ensure access to mental health resources when other elected officials don’t prioritize public schools and our students. I will commit to continue to advocate for these issues for Urbandale students.
Brianna Sayre Geiser
Age: 49
Place of birth: Estherville
Grew up: Urbandale
Current home: Urbandale
Education: Drake University, special education consultant license, 2001; University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas, Masters degree in educational diagnostician/special education, 1998; Iowa State University, PreK/Kindergarten education, 1992
Work history: Currently a early childhood consultant and learning and leadership consultant at Heartland Area Education Agency; previously an adjunct professor for early childhood education at Upper Iowa University, educational diagnostician Hambrick Middle School, early childhood special education teacher at Aldine ISD
Political experience: Has volunteered for various political candidates in Texas and Iowa to support politicians that have similar beliefs about education, mental health, early childhood education and the safety of schools and community.
Civic involvement: Has been a part of several PTOs in various roles, including president of a PTO in Houston, Texas. Currently volunteers with PTOs in Urbandale. Also a board member for Heartland Education Agency Union.
Twitter: @GBPGal
Facebook: Brianna Sayre Geiser for Urbandale School Board
List your top three priorities for the school district and how you would address them.
A safe, supportive and welcoming environment for all learners to be successful Pre-K through Grade 12. A place where all children, students, families and staff feel connected to, and a sense of belonging in, their school.
Ensuring our multi-tiered systems of support within all age levels are understood by all teaching staff. Ensuring that staff feel confident in differentiating instruction in literacy, math, science, social studies and social emotional learning within the general education setting for all learners at all age levels.
Equality across the entire district. This includes, but is not limited to, all evidence based instruction with an emphasis on social/emotional behavior and health. In addition, each building should have access to technology, performing arts, athletics and various social and academic clubs to ensure that everyone feels acknowledged and supported by the school board.
John Hollebrands
Age: 82
Place of birth: Des Moines
Grew up: Des Moines
Current home: Urbandale
Education: Iowa State University, B.S. in industrial tech, 1958
Work history: Previously staff assistant to the general manager at Eagle Iron Works, Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co
Political experience: Currently Urbandale Capital Improvements committee; previously on the Urbandale school board building committee
Civic involvement: Over 15 years of regular attendance at UCSD board meetings and Urbandale City Council meetings
Facebook: Hollebrands for school board
List your top three priorities for the school district and how you would address them.
$59 Million building project: Utilizing my experience in large scale construction, I intend to ensure the athletic center and two new elementary schools are built on time and within budget.
Academically challenged youth: I am a proponent of the district’s continual improvement plan. I would like to see that program continued in an effort to support our youth.
Employee safety and wellness: If elected, I intend to get input from all levels of staff to see how we can create a positive work environment.
Katherine Howsare
Age: 68
Place of birth: Oskaloosa
Grew up: Farm in Mahaska County
Current home: Urbandale
Education: M.A. in library and information science, University of Iowa, 2008; M.A. in guidance and counseling, Truman State, 1981; Bachelor's degree in English, Central College, 1973; Fremont High School, 1969
Work history: Currently retired; previously a librarian and counselor at Urbandale Senior High School; counselor at Urbandale Middle School; counselor in Council Bluffs, Omaha, North Scott High School and an English teacher at Pella High School
Political experience: Urbandale school board, 2015-present
Civic involvement: Volunteer Polk County master gardener discovery garden and demonstration garden
Twitter: @howsarek
Facebook: Katherine Howsare
List your top three priorities for the school district and how you would address them.
Proper oversight of expenditures/timeliness of new fitness center and two elementary schools construction through 2025.
Increased emphasis/strategies concerning staff/student safety and well being, including mental health needs, social/emotional development, sense of personal value.
Increased attention to student/building equity needs, including gender, ethnic, poverty Levels and how best to serve our students, staff and families in a visionary way.