Des Moines Public School District voters will the chance to fill the five open school board seats on Nov. 2.
Three of the seven candidates are vying for two at-large seats. The other contested race is for the single director district No. 1 seat. Four of the five terms are for four years. The director district No. 1 position is for two years due to a previous board member’s resignation.
Those newly elected to the Des Moines School Board will be tasked with managing Iowa’s largest school district’s ongoing response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and its goal of better academic outcomes for Black male students.
Related:Here are the 7 people running in the Des Moines Public Schools board of education election
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Editor’s note: The responses below were submitted by the candidates and have been lightly edited.
Meet the candidates:
At-large candidates:
Maria Alonzo-Diaz
Age: 49
Office sought: Des Moines School Board at-large
Where they grew up: I grew up in Mexico and arrived in the U.S. at the age of 13. As a migrant farmworker, I lived in Texas, New York and finally, my family moved to Muscatine, Iowa, my senior year of high school in 1990.
Where they currently live: Des Moines
Past political experience: I have no prior political experience. This is my first time getting involved in any political campaign. My experience in volunteer work has mainly been in the nonprofit/human services area, such as the community soccer program I co-founded and have coordinated for the last nine years.
Lloyd Elam
Age: 47
Office sought: At-large Des Moines School Board
Where they grew up: Mississippi
Where they currently live: Beaverdale
Past political experience:
Board member of Dallas County Young Democrats of Dallas County, Texas, that oversaw red Dallas County turn blue in 2006 by organizing communities thru voter registration and issue outreach in historically disadvantaged communities.
Community Organizer for a faith based non-profit to eliminate blight in Black and Brown communities.
Vice chair of the Northwest Democrats working for progressive causes.
Working as a Weatherization Auditor/Inspector for a local non-profit who helps to reduce the energy load of people’s homes, who live 200% below the poverty line, which reduces the excess money needed to heat and cool their homes.
Jackie Norris
Age: 51
Office sought: Des Moines School Board at-large
Where they grew up: New York
Where they currently live: Des Moines
Past political experience: While I have volunteered actively on a number of local, state and national elections, this is my first run for elected office. I am the mom of three boys attending Des Moines public schools, a former high school government teacher, former CEO of Goodwill of Central Iowa and former White House chief of staff for First Lady Michelle Obama. I am currently the owner and president of SPPG, a public policy organization.
District No. 1:
Kim Martorano
Age: 43
Office sought: Des Moines School Board of Directors District 1
Where they grew up: Bensenville, Illinois
Where they currently live: Des Moines
Past political experience: I ran for the Des Moines School Board in November 2019. When Heather Anderson vacated her board seat I applied for the open seat and was appointed by the remaining board members. I’ve served as the District 1 Director since August 2020. Prior to that, while living in Illinois, I served on the executive board of Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504. My union leadership role afforded me the opportunity to serve on the negotiations committee, membership committee and political action committee.
Shelley Skuster
Age: 36
Office sought: Des Moines Public School Board, District 1
Where they grew up: Waverly, Iowa
Where they currently live: Windsor Heights, Iowa
Past political experience: As a news reporter, I covered politics for many years. From Iowa caucuses to former President Barack Obama’s visit to Northeast Iowa and dozens of city and state elections; politics has always been a passion of mine. Since becoming a mom and leaving my career in TV news, I became a registered Democrat. I’ve volunteered with numerous local Democratic campaigns, most recently state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott and state Rep. Jennifer Konfrst. I’ve also spent time helping various national efforts to increase voter turnout and flip Georgia Blue.
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District No. 2
Jenna Knox
Age: 37
Office sought: Des Moines Public School Board District 2
Where they grew up: Des Moines
Where they currently live: Des Moines
Past political experience: First time candidate for elected office.
District No. 4
Teree L. Caldwell-Johnson
Age: 65
Office sought: Des Moines School Board District 4
Where they grew up: Salina, Kansas
Where they currently live: Des Moines
Past political experience:
- 2007, Elected to Des Moines School Board – At Large
- 2010, Re-Elected to Des Moines School Board – At Large
- 2013, Re-Elected to Des Moines School Board – District 4
- 2017, Re-Elected to Des Moines School Board – District 4
At-large candidates:
Maria Alonzo-Diaz
I support the mask mandate in our district because it is the best way to protect not only students in our schools, but also those responsible for supporting and educating our children.
Lloyd Elam
Yes, I do because the scientific evidence shows that N-95 masks can reduce the trajectory of droplets by up to 66%. While not a panacea, this will greatly reduce the possibility of children contracting the virus. More importantly, if we are to keep schools open without major disruptions in learning or possible closings, school boards must be willing to take the necessary precautions to protect both the emotional and physical health of our most precious asset—our children—until a vaccine becomes available. Let’s hope soon. If that means voting for mask mandate, the school board should! I will!
Jackie Norris
Yes. My first priority now and always will be the safety of our students, teachers and staff. As long as the vaccines are not readily available for students of all ages, I support fact-based mitigation strategies that can confidently keep students in classrooms, staff in school buildings, and parents at work. Given the reality of Iowa law, it is up to school boards to explore every means to ensure this outcome.
More:Iowa school districts may continue mask mandates after judge grants preliminary injunction
District No. 1:
Kim Martorano
I support Dr. (Tom) Ahart implementing a mask mandate at DMPS upon Judge Pratt granting a preliminary injunction. I believe that masks are a proven mitigation strategy in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. Currently, the Des Moines School Board governs using Student Outcomes Focused Governance. The board believes that vision, goal setting, goal monitoring are the most important functions of the board and that the execution of the policies should be the function of the superintendent. Through this governance model the board delegates operational decisions that fall within the boundaries set by law and/or board policy to the superintendent without the need for further board action. We trust that the superintendent is doing what is best for the entire DMPS community.
Shelley Skuster
Our teachers, staff and students must be safe and healthy in order to learn.
One of the reasons I’m running for school board is because the board member in my district, as well as three of her colleagues, was unwilling to even discuss how our kids, teachers and staff were going to be safe at school.
We need leaders who are willing to have hard conversations, regardless of partisan politics at the statehouse.
I believe it’s important to follow CDC guidelines and data. And unless proven or recommended otherwise, all district employees and students should wear a mask.
District No. 2:
Jenna Knox
I support following CDC guidelines and mitigation strategies so that we can keep our school buildings safe and ensure that our students remain in-person learning.
District No. 4:
Teree L. Caldwell-Johnson
I believe masks are the first and best defense against COVID and the Delta Variant for those who are unvaccinated or are ineligible. Understanding that even vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus, masks become a defense for all. I am hopeful that the courts will uphold the mask mandate in the interest of all especially those ineligible for the vaccine. Judge Pratt’s ruling was predicated on the serious health consequences created by the legislation and underscored the lack of vaccine for our youngest population. I have to hope and believe that rational and position will resonate with the judiciary.
At-large candidates:
Maria Alonzo-Diaz
Parental control to me, means parents having a say in the district’s decision making. As a board member, I am there to use my own judgment while listening and taking into consideration the voice of the community I represent. I am not able to represent individual interests, but do what’s in the best interest of the students and families we serve. I would encourage community engagement and be open and accessible to individuals whose voice has not always been heard.
Lloyd Elam
As an individual, I have the right to drive to the store, but I don’t have the right to drive 100 miles an hour to get there, because that endangers everyone! Parents have the moral obligation to guide and protect their children, but all individual freedom must be placed in strict scrutiny when those actions endanger the larger public, especially if the decisions of one parent are in direct conflict with other individual parents. It is critically important that we create rules in the public square that protect the norms and safety of the community, while protecting individual freedom.
Jackie Norris
Every school board member must commit to engaging with our community of students, teachers, administrators, parents, businesses, homeowners and anyone who benefits from thriving, desirable public schools. I am proud of our entire community and my decisions will be informed by residents across the city, which is why I wish to serve “at large.” Relying on my considerable experience as a facilitator and community partner, I will dedicate my board service to carefully listening, without bias, to all who bring their ideas and concerns to the table as the basis of a civil and meaningful dialogue.
District No. 1
Kim Martorano
The function of the school board is to represent the vision and values of the community including, but not limited to students, parents, families and staff; this is what it means to govern the district. Effective representation of the community’s vision and values largely breaks down into three categories: listening for the vision and values, identifying the vision and values, and implementing the school system’s work to ensure alignment with the vision and values.
Shelley Skuster
We all have inherent, individual freedoms we are born with in America. And one of the wonderful things about our country is that we can pursue individual interests.
However, when we become narrow-focused on ourselves or our individual interests, we need to be careful not to lose sight of the greater good for our community.
Of course as individuals, we are entitled to our own opinions, lifestyles and choices; but it becomes problematic when our freedoms come at the expense of the safety of our neighbors and loved ones.
District No. 2
Jenna Knox
Parent involvement is critical to not only their children’s academic success, but to the success of our public schools as a whole. One of the reasons I am running for school board is to empower and connect more families in District 2 with the tools and channels available for them to advocate for the success of their students and schools.
District No. 4:
Teree L. Caldwell-Johnson
Considering the importance of parents’ participation and involvement in their student’s education I believe that parental control reflects the shared responsibility and balance that school systems and parents have in facilitating academic success. A perfect example of that shared responsibility is reflected in the learning modalities provided during COVID and the choice parents were given for in-person vs virtual instruction. While the district created the opportunities for choice in modalities, it was parents that determined the best option for their children. This simple example reflects the nexus between community and individual interests and the importance of balancing those interests to the benefit of both and their children.
At-large candidates:
Maria Alonzo-Diaz
It is imperative for students to see themselves reflected in the staff they see every day and in their district’s elected leaders. When the board makes this a priority and makes conscious efforts to be inclusive, then we will see a trickle-down effect. We need people in those positions who are willing to hold each other accountable for the benefit of our students, families and community.
Lloyd Elam
Diversity can be the vehicle that will drive us towards a more inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful America for all– we achieve this by inciting healthy classrooms conversations that bridge our differences, teaching history that highlights everyone positive contributions, and eliminating barriers to individual merit. But what it doesn’t mean is pitting one group against another by using history as a weapon to convict a current generation for the sins of the past generation. We all know right from wrong, we just have to decide to do it! (I Kings 3:7-10) America will succeed or fail because of it! I want us to succeed!
Jackie Norris
The Des Moines Public School system is fortunate to have students from over 100 countries walk through the halls each day. We must commit to a community that recognizes the value of everyone belonging to it. This includes:
- Engaging with differing perspectives by hiring and promoting teachers, administrators and staff of varying backgrounds;
- Enhancing student teamwork and cultural understanding by enabling additional opportunities for activities both in and outside of the classroom;
- Increasing appreciation and understanding of our state and nation’s complicated journey by encouraging inquiry and discussion using culturally relevant material
District No. 1
Kim Martorano
I believe diversity, equity and inclusion should be the lens in which we view all conversations, policies, practices, procedures, and decision-making. We should continue to connect with our community and stakeholders to identify priorities in these areas. Including, but not limited to frequent, consistent conversations, town-halls, and feedback sessions. I’ve co-written and recommended new policies to be approved by the board. The guardrail (policy) that will address this concern is as follows: “The superintendent shall not operate without a system to recruit and retain a diverse and culturally responsive workforce that represents the student population.” I have also approved with my board colleagues the implementation of a new curriculum in both literacy and math that is culturally appropriate to our student population. I will continue to listen to students to identify their needs in these areas.
Shelley Skuster
When our teachers and staff reflect the student population, we won’t need to promote diversity and inclusion because we’ll be living it out. But until it does, we have work to do.
We must hire teachers and staff of color. We should follow through with recommendations provided from the Diversity Task Force. And we must institute small but meaningful changes.
For example, when I learned our schools only had beige Band-Aids, I started purchasing diverse bandages for our kids’ classrooms. This summer, a DMPS teacher and I raised more than $1,000 to purchase thousands of multi-skin-colored bandages for our schools.
District No. 2
Jenna Knox
Diversity and inclusion should be celebrated and fostered across our school district. It is a critical part of what makes Des Moines Public Schools so special. Lifting up cultural understanding and fostering conversations around inclusion is not only what builds community in the present, but what gives our students the tools and perspectives needed to thrive and lead in a global economy in the future.
District No. 4:
Teree L. Caldwell-Johnson
I believe HF 802 has become a new framing for people unwilling to acknowledge our country’s racist history and how it impacts the present. I am a student of history and believe that it cannot be erased. Discussing our shared and collective history is an important part of educating ourselves while understanding the role systems and policies have on some, but not all, of us. Race and class have a way of creating haves and have nots from all races, ethnicities and backgrounds and understanding the impact of systems and policies-past and present-will allow us to create access and equity for all.
At-large candidates:
Maria Alonzo-Diaz
I believe every child needs our support. If we are referring to groups of students that could benefit from academic assistance, several come to mind. I think of our children who have disabilities, English Language Learners, children who have had traumatic experiences or have suffered grief and loss. All these children are vulnerable and arrive at our district with many needs. The district should consider assessing children’s needs from a trauma-informed approach and provide them with the necessary resources to enhance their educational experience.
Lloyd Elam
If you look at the data, all student outcomes could stand some improvement. While the brunt of this burden falls on socially disadvantaged kids, the district must marshal all it’s resources, manpower, and community capital to move the pendulum in the right direction. That means starting early with pre-school for children by age 3, providing students with more individual instruction during the day, and extended learning opportunities beyond traditional classroom instruction after school, as well as during holidays and thru the summer. It really does take a village to raise a child, so we need all hands on deck.
Jackie Norris
No professional educator should have to choose among youth living in poverty, students from around the globe with limited English proficiency, students with special education needs, young people suffering with mental health challenges, and those who don’t know where their next meal will come from. It is unwise to consider individuals as nothing more than components of groups that are labeled for convenience. Every student can and should benefit from well qualified, highly motivated and sufficiently compensated teachers who can devote their talents to educating and inspiring rather than playing traffic cop in classes that are too large for meaningful learning.
District No. 1
Kim Martorano
After the board held in-depth data research, as well as community listening sessions, it was identified that the population needing the most academic help in literacy and math are Black males. The board has developed goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-focused, and time-bound). Two of the three goals focus on improving student outcomes for Black males. We’ve prioritized resource allocation to achieve the goals set forth. The board invests time in reviewing, discussing, and monitoring the goals. The goals are monitored no less than three times per year. The frequent monitoring of the goals allows the board and superintendent to be agile and make decisions that will impact what students know and are able to do. The board believes that student outcomes don’t change until adult behaviors change. This foundational belief of Student Outcomes Focused Governance guides our work and decision making.
Shelley Skuster
Our district statistics show only 30% of Black boys can read in first, second or third grade.
On a broader level, less than half of our district’s first and second grade students know how to read, and only half of our third grade students can read.
Our literacy rates are unacceptable. But there are ways we can fix it:
1. Adapt a curriculum that follows structured literacy and the Science of Reading.
2. Give our teachers the proper training for a science-based literacy program.
3. Provide adequate support for our teachers as they build readers in classrooms and beyond.
District No. 2
Jenna Knox
Des Moines Public Schools’ data indicates that Black male students are in need of the most support academically in the district. The school board is currently working to address this disparity through the creation of district goals and guardrails which focus on improving academic outcomes specifically for Black males. Those goals alone will not be enough. DMPS needs to continue advancing its social and emotional learning efforts, as well as continuing to create strategic alliances with community partners to address the barriers students face to academic success from outside of the classroom.
District No. 4:
Teree L. Caldwell-Johnson
To serve all students, we must intentionally focus on student populations experiencing the biggest disparities in opportunity and outcomes. In 2018 the DM School board adopted goals focused on our lowest-performing subgroup, Black males, with attention to two specific gateway subjects, reading and math. The term “a rising tide lifts all boats” is associated with the idea that improved outcomes for some will lead to benefits for all and that is why I support the district’s goals and efforts to increase the academic performance and success of our Black males.
At-large candidates:
Maria Alonzo-Diaz
The idea of losing students to charter schools is a real concern to any public school district. I believe that it is important for our district to continue to invest in advanced programming like Central Academy, athletic facilities across the district which would enhance student morale, providing educators the support they need to do their job, and hiring and retaining a diversified staff that is reflective of the student population.
Lloyd Elam
Yes, I am! We must reassure concerned parents that “Our Public Schools are the Best Choice!” This is achievable by reaffirming our commitment to safe schools with SRO’s; smaller class sizes, so teachers can give each student more individual instruction; expand our vocational training programs for both, the jobs of today and tomorrow, so students can leverage for real wages after graduation; and give civics a bigger footprint in the curriculum, so the next generation understands the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship. we can win back parents trust and reclaim our position as the nation’s premier public school system!!
Jackie Norris
Every parent has the right to demand that their children receive a thorough and professional education which is why Iowa parents have historically entrusted our public schools. As a school district, we should never be afraid to innovate in the way that we educate our students to ensure we are adapting to the changing needs of the community. My concern is that the historical right of school boards to assess the merits of a group setting up a charter school has been usurped by the Iowa legislature and the governor. I will work to hold these schools accountable to their communities.
District No. 1:
Kim Martorano
I am concerned about several bills passed during the legislative session of 2021. Public education plays an incredible role in the social and economic welfare of a community. I believe in the power of quality public education. The purpose of public education is to provide an experience that is filled with rigorous opportunities; academically, socially and emotionally. I believe this instruction and opportunity should prepare students for; their next stage of life, being productive members of society and being able to lead a full life. The public education system is held to the highest standard. Charter schools are not required to follow the same guidelines and laws. Des Moines Public Schools is an example of a system that is held to the highest standard of public education. With a Board that is focused on improving student outcomes DMPS will be successful in retaining and engaging students, families and community members.
Shelley Skuster
Our district will only keep students enrolled when it’s safe for them to be at school.
We need board members who are willing to prioritize the safety of our teachers, staff and students.
My four children are enrolled in Des Moines Public Schools. Decreased enrollment is a constant concern because that lends itself to decreased funding, budget cuts and staff reductions.
As parents and community members, we must continue to invest in our public schools and advocate for appropriate statewide funding.
However, at the very least, we will keep students enrolled when they’re safe and healthy.
District No. 2
Jenna Knox
As a fourth generation DMPS graduate, there is nothing I want more than to uplift the legacy of this district. I absolutely worry about the impact recent legislation will have on the district. However, with change comes opportunity. I believe this is an opportunity for our district to share and build on a few things that make DMPS special and the district of choice for our families: the incredible dedication of our teachers and staff to the academic and emotional success of our community’s youth; the vast learning and participation opportunities which exist within DMPS; and the strong roots our schools hold in our communities by bringing together a myriad of organizations, businesses, volunteers, and philanthropists to develop our city’s next generation of leadership.
District No. 4:
Teree L. Caldwell-Johnson
Recent changes in state law threaten to weaken rather than strengthen and advance public education in Iowa. But instead of “crying over spilled milk” I believe we must champion the benefits of public education and the many assets of DMPS including the rich diversity of our student base; the stellar academics provided in 60 schools located in every neighborhood of the community; our robust pre-K programs, choice schools and our award-winning Central Campus and Central Academy. Bottom line – a strong public education system is essential to the individual and collective well-being of our community.
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/10/13/where-des-moines-school-board-candidates-stand-issues-covid-election-2021-mask-mandate-diversity/6048095001/