Earlham Echo

October 31, 2023

A forum for Earlham School Board candidates was held in the auditorium on October 23. The forum gave the candidates—Erin Christensen, Charlie Lenze, Julene Mutchler-McNeal, and Jess Tiemeyer—a chance to address the voters directly and featured a question-and-answer session. The event was moderated by Dusky Terry.

Each candidate delivered an opening statement, which was limited to 3 minutes. Questions followed, and candidates were given 2 minutes to answer. All four candidates had the chance to answer each question. There was a list of 11 ‘scripted’ questions that the candidates had in advance. Attendees were given a chance to write down questions on note cards as they arrived for the event. Terry asked the candidates several of those questions, as well.

The first three questions came from the scripted list: What do you consider to be the role of public education? What is the role of the School Board and what is the role of the superintendent? What do you see as the biggest challenge facing our school in the next 3 years?

After the candidates answered those, Terry deviated from the list and asked several questions that the audience provided. Those pertained to keeping personal beliefs and politics separate from Board activities; increasing transparency of test scores and data; making sure kids aren’t exposed to inappropriate material; the response to COVID; recruiting, developing, and supporting teachers; and the school’s facilities needs.

The candidates were poised and well-spoken in answering the questions and presenting themselves. In general, the content of each candidate’s answers and addresses did not deviate much from the others’. The four candidates seem similar in philosophy and their proposed direction for the school district. They did, however, differentiate themselves in style and personality. Voters will have this to consider, as well as the issue of experience versus a fresh perspective. Incumbents Mutchler-McNeal and Tiemeyer have both been on the Board for 8 years, while Christensen and Lenze are newcomers.

The forum was recorded and is available on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axNVaS1qg4E, or scan the code at the end of this story. We recommend watching the video in order to get a full perspective of the candidates. We have provided the candidates’ biographical information and a summation of their opening and closing remarks below.

Erin Christenson

Married, with three kids in Earlham school district. She earned a doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Iowa. She is currently a family nurse practitioner for Signify Health at MercyOne Medical Center in DSM. If elected, she wants to try to create a little more transparency for the public. She feels that parents feel lost sometimes and do not have an understanding of what’s taught in school so they can feel comfortable sending their kids to school. She wants to be involved in the decision-making that shapes our kids’ futures, including implementing a plan that will help school growth continue, higher overall test performance, and setting kids up for the best academic success that they can have.

Charlie Lenze

Married, with two kids in Earlham school district. He earned a bachelor’s from Northwest Missouri State University. He works for BASF. He is running because he wants to help with short- and long-term facilities planning. He is a proponent of post-secondary options other than college and is passionate about expanding CTE (career and technical education) programs in order to give kids more opportunities to go into trades and have high qualities of life when they come out of school. He wants to utilize APEX out of Waukee more effectively for any kids that want to utilize it, and wants to help shape our district for the future with new buildings and upgrades and teacher retention.

Julene Mutchler-McNeal

Married with 3 kids, one is an Earlham graduate and two are currently in the district. She is a 1998 Earlham graduate and she went to Drake University. She has served on the school board for 8 years and been president for the last 5. She is proud of the many accomplishments of the Board in that time, especially construction of gym, navigating the COVID pandemic, and hiring the current superintendent, Dr. Kaster, and keeping the tax rate low through the building projects. She mentioned that Earlham was one of few districts in the state that increased enrollment in the aftermath of COVID. She is proud of the work it took in hiring Dr. Kaster, saying that he was exactly what we were looking for. Future goals are increased focus on CTE and additional classroom space.

Jess Tiemeyer

She is a born and raised Iowan. She moved with her husband to Earlham in 2006. She has 3 kids in the district. She has had a long career working for large organizations in human resources. She has served on the Board for 8 years, the last 4 as vice-president. She is running to continue work that she feels that the board has accomplished. She knows what being a member entails and is confident she has the skills to continue building on changes coming to the district. She pointed out some of the Board’s accomplishments, including building and grounds improvements, keeping tax rates down, and the leadership transition to Dr. Kaster. She is looking forward to building out the recently completed needs assessment.

The four candidates are running for three available seats. The election is on November 7. Absentee voting is available now. For more information regarding voting, visit the Madison County Auditor on Facebook or contact the Madison County Auditor’s office at 515.462.3914 or skaster@madisoncounty.iowa.gov.