Q&A with Cedar Rapids School Board candidate Kaitlin Byers

Kaitlin Byers is running for the Cedar Rapids School Board for the District 4 seat. She is not an incumbent. Here are her answers to a survey we sent to all of the candidates.

Occupation and Employer: Capital Access Manager, Kiva Iowa

How and who should determine curriculum?

We should trust our educators and educational stakeholders to develop and implement curriculum that is both effective and relevant to each grade level. The office of teaching and learning through CRCSD is dedicated to this very task: “the office of teaching and learning aims for a guaranteed, viable curriculum that ensure all our students learn at high levels.”

Why do you want to serve on the school board? What relevant experience do you have?

I have lived in this community 30 years, going through K-12 right here in the Cedar Rapids Community School District. I am now a mom of two young children, and my current reality and future is rooted in CRCSD. I have a background in Elementary Education, and for the past 10 years I have been working in the entrepreneurial and nonprofit leadership space – ensuring our communities across Iowa have access to entrepreneurial and technical education programs and resources. As a former teacher, and a community advocate, I genuinely respect teachers and how hard they work. And I’m here because I care about not just my children, but the educational success of all children in our district.

How would you describe your attendance at past school board meetings?

I have viewed school board meetings both virtually and via recordings. As a parent in the community, I always strive to keep myself up to date on things happening in the education space.

What are your three top priorities for the school district? What will you do to address them?

1. Creating top-notch, equitable learning environments, inclusive of student-driven real-world learning: we’ve set some pretty high goals to enhance our district, which is invigorating! I aim to bring creativity to the table, and spend time talking to teachers and students in our district to guarantee that all of our facilities (whether renovated, repurposed, or rebuilt) meet the growing needs of students and educators. I want a guarantee that ALL students in the Cedar Rapids Community School District have equitable opportunities, learning experiences, and resources available to them.

2. Hiring and retaining quality teachers who feel supported and valued: we are making great strides in this space, and I hope to help continue this momentum. If elected, I intend to assemble a small committee of educators and administrators (demographically representative of our district) to assist me as I play a role in making decisions that impact them directly. This group will shine a light on the most pressing needs within our classrooms, and advise on policy change that may interfere with current plans or systems in place for improving student outcomes and experiences.

3. School Safety, both physically and emotionally:

Students who feel safe and connected at school are less likely to engage in violent behaviors. While we can't change law, we can discover and implement new tools, technologies and strategies to mitigate risk and cultivate safe learning environments across the district. I'm also interested in discovering new ways to engage with community partners so we can address some of the growing mental health concerns in our schools. I intend to be the best advocate for our kids, teacher and families, making strides to ensure our children are cared for and secure in our classrooms.

Will you support the proposed Nov. 7 Cedar Rapids school bond referendum? Why or why not?

I think this phased approach is the ideal way to roll out the plan, and I am eager to be a part of the conversation as we continue to make important decisions impacting the future of education in our community. There are still some unknowns, and I hope to gain more clarity in the coming months. I believe that two heads are better than one. Or, in this case, 100k+ heads are better than 7. I am interested in creating avenues for productive exchange with our community members, leaning on our educators and students to help lead the conversation. When you open up the dialogue, collecting input along the way, we make room for unique ideas and innovative solutions to bubble to the surface.

Do you support the district's facility master plan? Why or why not?

I think the time is now to start investing in new facilities, but I’d like to take a deeper look at each building to get a sense of how to address the gaps that exist. I’m guessing that some of the buildings could be renovated and updated to meet growing student needs, but in other scenarios, the most obvious option may be to demolish and rebuild. Are there leaders in the community who are interested in redeveloping or re-envisioning these historical sites? And have we gathered other school leaders across the state to get a sense of how they are tackling similar projects in their respective communities? Let’s keep these conversations open and constant. At the end of the day, whether renovated or rebuilt, I have no doubt that these new updates are not only necessary, but crucial to the future of education in CRCSD.

What do you see as strengths and weaknesses of the school district?

While my background is rooted in education, I am mindful of the fact that I am not in the classroom day to day, therefore I don’t have all the answers. As a school board member, my actions will always be in the best interest of our students, CRCSD staff, and community.

A source of major strength: Dr. Grover’s leadership. We are so lucky to have her leading the charge, and I believe her guidance is just what our district needs at this moment in time. I also appreciate the hard work that went into our new Strategic Plan; the guiding document for our superintendent as she carries forward in her role. Each pillar of this strategic plan (re: student leadership, culture/climate, equity, innovation etc.) is an essential piece of the larger puzzle as we look to the future.

When it comes to weaknesses, I have heard from several teachers that their technology needs aren’t being addressed in the current buildings. Future-proofing aging buildings is not only expensive, but quite challenging, and our current students are a part of a world that is highly connected. We should be offering spaces for learning that accommodate these technological advances.

Are there any curriculum concerns you have with the district? Why? How should the school board address these issues?

As it stands, the time that our district’s staff members are potentially spending on sorting out what can and cannot be taught is quite concerning. The school board will always follow laws set forth by our state, but we can still be mindful of these new requirements and continue to assist in the development of high-quality, inclusive, safe, learning experiences for our students. As an elected official, I will encourage our students and larger community to get involved in the broader conversation. I believe our country’s history is important: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Diverse literature is essential. And schools should be safe places where every student is treated with respect, and feel included.

If you were required to cut the district's budget, what areas would you look to for savings and why?

The main thing to consider when it comes to budget cuts is that we do not lost sight of what matters most – our children. And we will not waiver when it comes to providing children in our community a quality educational experience. From an eco-lens, I’d love to see our district implement more sustainable practices across all our buildings to cut costs (while also reinforcing positive behavior, a win win!). Recycling, reusing materials, reducing, and minimizing waste – each of these initiatives multiplied by all our current facilities could result in major cost savings. Having access to newer facilities will allow us to cut back on costs associated with energy expenses, for example, as well.

What level of control do you think school boards should have?

I can’t fully speak to the specific demands of the role until I involve myself in the day-to-day work, live it. But I do know that our school board is invested in policy-making and planning; focusing on improving student achievement, and working collaboratively with staff and community members to strive for continuous improvement. I look forward to working alongside our trusted board members, engaging in constructive conversation, gathering all the information I need to make the most informed decisions, and compromising when it’s essential to do so. Being a united team with our superintendent and having mutual trust and synergy across the board- in my opinion, these are the makings of an effective and high-functioning school board.

If the school district had additional funds available, what should they be allocated to? Why?

Although I have a background in education, there is an extra steep learning curve when it comes to understanding the in’s and outs of what makes an entire school system function. I would be interested in consulting with staff members from the CRCSD so I can gather more information about their most pressing needs.

What will you do to be responsive to parents, teachers and district staff? What types of communication should the public expect from you?

My work as a board member will be navigated through a community-based approach; encouraging transparency and honest, open communication between our schools and our community. I will always be tuned into my role as a school board member and do my best to get people the support they need. If I don’t have the answers, I will make the necessary connections to ensure you receive answer. I feel ever grateful to live in a community with an unlimited number of people who genuinely care about quality public education, and I look forward to building my institutional knowledge so I can be the most effective board member possible.