Merschbrock and Johnson will work for Cedar Rapids families

For your voice to be heard, vote Nov. 7 for Dexter Merschbrock and Stacie Rae Johnson for Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education.

Merschbrock is the only school board member to vote against demolishing the historic Harrison Elementary School and was against forging ahead with the $220 million school bond referendum, noting that the plan does not benefit students most at risk in our core neighborhoods. Someone who actually listens to his constituents, he asks thoughtful questions before voting and is consistently the sole independent voice on the school board.

Johnson, an environmentalist, listener and problem-solver, is committed to making the best decisions for students, teachers, parents and neighborhoods. She has served as an appointed commissioner to both the Cedar Rapids and Marion stormwater commissions, has worked with thousands of students as an environmental educator volunteering in numerous schools since 1995, and in her job as sustainability manager, oversees the development and implementation of Goodwill of the Heartland's sustainability plan as it aims to be a zero-waste organization.

Both believe in transparency and understand that decisions affecting the entire community should not be made behind closed doors. They will work for the families of the Cedar Rapids Community School District, rather than powerful special interests. Make your vote count, and cast your ballot for Stacie Rae Johnson in Director District 1 and Dexter Merschbrock in Director District 4 this election.

Cindy Hadish

Cedar Rapids