Q&A with Iowa City School Board candidate Micah Broekemeier

Micah Broekemeier is running for the Iowa City School Board. He is not an incumbent. Here are his answers to a survey we sent to all of the candidates.

Occupation and Employer: Masters student at the University of Iowa College of Education

How and who should determine curriculum?

The state department of education with guidance from the citizens of a school district.

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

I have been a regular at school board meetings and I have worked in the district as a student teacher and frequent volunteer. I have a young child who will begin school here within the district. I want my son, and all students within the district, to have the best opportunity for success in this great state.

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

Frequent

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

Budget, vocational training, and teacher burnout. Our school district is in the midst of a budget crisis, and we need to make sure that we right the ship before it gets too late. If we’re broke, we can’t teach. Budget cuts need to be made before our taxpayers feel an increased burden because of our board’s inaction.

Vocational training needs to be prioritized. When budget cuts are made, we need to make sure the teachers and classes aren’t the ones who suffer. Finding it in our budget to help prepare students for other-than-college futures needs to be done.

Additionally, we need to do what we can to reduce class sizes and focus our budget on hiring and retaining teachers over administrators. Smaller classes will allow students to get more time with the teacher and help reduce burnout on our educators.

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

We are a very diverse district with students from all walks of life. I do believe this is a strength for us. Our district also carries a strong reputation across the state from our past successes.

One of our biggest concerns is the budget, mentioned earlier, and our board trying to push out experienced teachers. Retirement packages are wonderful, but we need to do everything we can to retain teachers instead of showing them the door.

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

We need to work on reducing the number of administrative positions we have in the district. Prioritizing teachers over administration where funding is concerned will need to be a focal point of any budget conversations

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

Very little. School boards should be a liaison between the taxpayer of the district and the elected legislators in the state. We are here to serve the parents of the district.

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

Hiring more teachers to reduce class size and focusing on vocational skills (FFA, AG, Shop, etc.)

What will you do to be responsive to parents, teachers and district staff? What types of communication should the public expect from you? I want to be available to all concerns and be responsive in school board meetings. This is where parents are able to voice their concerns.

We need to make sure they do not feel as though they will be silenced or intimidated to express their concerns with their elected officials