Meet the Five Candidates for New London School Board

On October 11, the New London school district hosted “Meet the Candidates” forum. It was a chance for the community to hear and see the five candidates running for the three open seats on the school board. They are Tasha Gipple, the only incumbent, Mike McBeth, Jen Loyd, Dana Cole, and Becky Hays. Choosing not to seek re-election were Jesse Howard and Tim Myers. Mrs. Hays joined the forum via telephone.

Approximately 25 people gathered in the HS auditorium to hear the candidates’ views on various topics, as moderated by Ms. Stacy Schroeder, former high school social studies teacher.

Question 1: What do you see as the current challenges facing public education in our state?

Gipple cited mental health concerns, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the disruption in education it caused. She feels another big issue is financial … where the money’s coming from.

“The money is a big deal,” Gipple said. “It helps supports our teachers, giving them more income. We need great teachers in our system to make sure that our kids are getting the education they need.”

Cole cited mental health issues as a challenge as they transition from virtual learning to in-person learning. She also feels that the education itself is a challenge. “Instead of checking the boxes that we are completing this task, we’ve taught this thing … are the children really understanding and taking in that information?”

Loyd is concerned with public money going to private schools via the Student First Act. She feels this is an issue that will hurt public schools by making private school choice an option. One way to combat this is to be circumspect in open enrollment. Disruptive students impeding learning can become a reason for changing schools, but she feels public tax money should not fund private schools. Her second issue was mental health issues for both students and teachers. She has witnessed the issues that teachers face in her previous role as school nurse.

“We really have to work at how can we draw teachers to our District,” Loyd said. “What can we offer them besides just a job? We need to be creative.”

McBeth listed money as a challenge. Spending money and how it is spent needs close scrutiny. Other challenges he listed included space for growth, the expansion of open enrollment and the issues it can present, securing and keeping quality teachers, providing and maintaining various programs, parental rights, student achievement, and maintaining an atmosphere of safety that has been enhanced by the hiring of an School Resource officer (SRO).

“There are lots of challenges we have to face,” McBeth noted.

Hays sees lots of challenges that effect education today. She named government funding, leadership, standardized testing, and common core but is most concerned about school safety, disciplinary policies, teacher salaries, teacher shortages, and retention of good teachers.

“Experience plays a key role in education and we need to create an environment where teachers feel respected and valued and will want to stay on,” she said.

Question 2: What are two or three strengths of which our District can be proud? Why do you see these as strengths?

Cole named student-teacher ratio that allows for individualized learning and teachers having more time with struggling students. Another strength is a supportive community. Without it we would not have the school that we do, one of the top in SE Iowa. The community support is “amazing.”

Loyd also cited community support as a strength. She feels that bonds have been passed that wouldn’t have without this support, and it’s generational support. It says a lot when people stay in a community and how they care for the school. She also named excellent teachers and support staff. As a small district, students can be part of any activity they want to try. Last, she named the Food Pantry and the service it offers.

“Hungry kids don’t make good learners,” she said.

McBeth believes a quality staff and administration are truly an asset. He has seen it first hand over the years with his kids and grand kids. The facilities are first-rate and shows a commitment to the students and the community. Opportunities in both academic offerings and extracurricular activities are varied and plentiful.

“If we don’t offer it, we look for it at neighboring districts,” he said.

Hays feels teachers and support staff are the greatest strengths of our District. She is very proud of the staff as they go above beyond to accommodate parents and students. She also listed a supportive community and the volunteerism that always steps up when needed.

Gipple also agrees that the community is an asset. She listed the facilities and the new additions providing the District room to grow. She also cited the addition of an SRO for the District. It provides peace of mind for parents. Last, she singled out Superintendent Chad Wahls as an “amazing” asset. He is devoted to the District and doesn’t just tell others to do something, but jumps in and does whatever needs to be done. She lauded the entire administrative team.

Question 3: If elected what would you hope would be the accomplishments of the Board during your years of service?

Loyd assured the group she has no personal agenda. She would like to work with current and future goals. She wants the District to continue to move forward. She would like to take more risks and be “pioneers” in areas. She feels there are further things the District could do to prepare students for college and/or technical school.

McBeth states his “agenda” is for every student at New London to have the best opportunity available to leave the school prepared for the next step, whatever that may be. He objects to the word “accomplishment.” Accomplishment can look different for different students. He “hopes” to maintain student achievement in all areas, enlarge technical course offerings, enhance the role of the SRO, and maintain a healthy financial status.

Hays said that Board accomplishments are the least of her worries. She would rather be part of a Board that is honest, fair, confidential, and approachable to the public. Her goal would be to create an atmosphere where all staff is respected, valued, heard without consequences and is able to speak their mind and not worry about repercussions. The end result would be the retention of good teachers.

Gipple emphasizes the need for the Board to work together to make the school better for the kids. She related that decisions are a team decision, not individual ones. Being able to listen is very important. For her, accomplishments are anything that moves the school forward.

Cole sees accomplishments in listening to needs … teachers’ needs, students’ needs, even the Board. Is everyone being heard and are they having a voice that they need to have? That would be a big accomplishment as we move forward.

Question 4: An individual school board member has no authority. Only the Board as a whole can make decisions for the District. What specific skills or strengths would you bring to the table that would allow you to contribute to the effective operation of the Board as a whole?

McBeth: ability to work as a team; 35-years as a classroom teacher; experience as an activities director; commitment to education; retirement gives time to be organized and prepared; provided leadership as a coach and as Mayor; will ask tough questions and voice his opinion.

Hays: 25 years as a classroom teacher and associate; positive, open-minded person; works well under stress with good problem-solving skills; an effective communicator and will ask a lot of questions; she looks forward to collaboration if elected.

Gipple: She has served four years on the board and has learned much. Has state-level experience; has knowledge to assist new members; has experience dealing with the public; and is still learning in a position that requires much preparation as the learning curve is extensive.

Cole: She works in finance; is good at tough conversations, is experienced at waste cutting; has broad leadership experience; and is always looking for the better way as the District moves forward.

Loyd: Career in health care that involves working with a lot of different people and diverse personalities; works well as a team member; is able to see all sides and doesn’t make rash decisions; wants to know all options open to her; has critical thinking skills; likes to ask “why-not” and challenge others’ thinking; can do policy and procedure writing; and will be dedicated.

These were all the questions formally asked of the candidates. The floor was then opened up to audience questions. There were none.

Thanks to all the candidates for their participation and don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.