The Iowa Association of School Boards has designated May as School Board Recognition Month, this year recognizing their work in ‘Leading Through Uncharted Waters.’ As citizen leaders, Ottumwa school board members face complex and demanding challenges, yet few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. Over the past year, leadership at the board table has come with challenges and decisions no one could have anticipated. School boards have made tough choices that impact the health and safety of students and staff, while continuing to prioritize student achievement and educational equity.
Here are some thoughts from our seven board members:
Why did you run for school board?
I have lived in this community my whole 50 years and have seen our district drifting over time and felt I just can't complain if I don't try to change it. I knew with the right leadership and the right board helping with the decisions based on what we were seeing we could get it turned around. - Brian Jones
I ran for school board because I have a great amount of pride for our school district! I was interested in playing a role in helping our district continue our journey to be the best district we can be! I knew we had a lot going well and I believed I could be a part to help continue to move us in the right direction. - Christina Schark
Proudest Moments
I think my proudest moment was getting an alternative started for middle school kids and getting them in a setting where they can thrive and get what they need to be great role models and citizens in our community. - Brian Jones
We have built many positive relationships within the Ottumwa area. Our partnerships with SEIDA, Ottumwa Regional Legacy Foundation, Indian Hills Community College, and other business partners have enabled the district to enhance educational opportunities for all students preschool through high school. Our vision of engaging, educating and empowering every student every day is a direct result of these partnerships. - Nancy Manson
I am most proud of is the decision to go to school in person. I am proud that we created a virtual option for those families that wanted that as well. I am also happy that we continued to pay our staff through all of the ovid protocols and the unknown future that we were looking at a year ago. - David Weilbrenner, president
I truly feel that another accomplishment of this board is the reinvestment into our schools. Superintendent McGrory launching the “Be The Best” initiative has boosted morale and the public has been very receptive to the plans. - Jeremy Weller, vice president
What challenges did we face last year?
Our biggest challenge this past year was Covid. I am extremely proud of the way all of the OCSD staff were willing to make adjustments in their workflow and made accommodations for Covid. Everything changed: our in-person teaching looked different and of course, the addition of BVL has been a heavy lift. We didn't hear feedback that staff was unwilling to change, everyone banded together around the idea of what's best for our kids and just did what they needed to do. - Christina Schark
In my opinion the pandemic has changed education forever. We now offer virtual learning, something we may never have done if not for the pandemic. We were able to get it up and going fairly quickly. We have had to make some adjustments along the way but our staff and parents have adapted well. - Jeremy Weller
What district decision during the pandemic are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the decision to go to school in person and that we created a virtual option for those families that wanted that as well. I am also happy that we continued to pay our staff through all of the Covid protocols and the unknown future that we were looking at a year ago. - David Weilbrenner, president
The fact that we were able to provide meals to students last year while school was not in session is a big accomplishment. It was made possible by staff that saw a need and worked hard to make it reality. The number of staff that volunteered to make it happen every day was amazing! We are truly a compassionate district! - Jeremy Weller, vice president
Advice to those thinking of running for school board.
A board member is charged with acting in the best interests of the Ottumwa Community School District and the students that we serve. It is important that the focus remain on the district and all students and not personal interests. This can be difficult as some decisions can affect you personally, but we must make sure that our resources are spent to better meet the needs of all students. - Nancy Manson
I am very excited for the future of Ottumwa Schools. This is a great time to be a part of the Ottumwa Community School District. I believe that our district is now headed in the right direction and I am excited for the future of the Ottumwa Community School District. The future is bright. - David Weilbrenner, president
Join the Ottumwa community in saying thank you to Jeff Bittner, Morgan Brown, Brian Jones, Nancy Manson, Christina Schark, David Weilbrenner, and Jeremy Weller for leading Ottumwa’s next generation through uncharted waters and recognizing their efforts throughout the year.