Q&A with Cedar Rapids School Board candidate Jen Neumann

Jen Neumann is running for the Cedar Rapids School Board as an at-large candidate. She is an incumbent. Here are her answers to a survey we sent to all of the candidates.

Occupation and Employer: CEO, de Novo Marketing

How and who should determine curriculum?

The State Department of Education and local school administrators, with input from educators.

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

I have served 4 years on the board and hope to continue in that role for another term. I have been a business owner for 16 years, and a volunteer in this community for nearly three decades. As a parent of two former CRCSD students, as well as a volunteer in the district, I am experienced in driving solutions, building collaboration, and connecting people to answers and solutions.

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

As a current school board member, I've attended approximately 95% plus of our board meetings. Prior to joining the board I attended meetings on behalf of the Cedar Rapids Schools Foundation, which I chaired for 3 years.

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

Stabilizing the district and energizing our whole team: We need to ensure that we are addressing workforce shortages with quality educators and staff members, reverse declining enrollment and ensure we continue to be on solid financial footing.

Build trust and faith in our district: It is so important that parents and staff feel communicated with, respected and heard. I will support Dr. Grover and her team in continually improving this.

Elevating passions and pathways: Student outcomes is what it is all about. Our facilities plans, our programming, and our moves to provide more innovative, project based learning that inspire every student to take part in their education and provide a pathway to success after graduation, will culminate in better student outcomes and a stronger local workforce and economy.

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

Yes. We need to regularly update and improve our facilities, as well as be able to provide safe and secure spaces for students and staff. Additionally, the need for Career and Technical Education (CTE) facilities and programming will provide our students with the experience and inspiration they need to find success after high school. Our middle and high school facilities are in great need of improvement, and we have to right-size our facilities for today’s (and future) enrollment. Rather than closing schools with no improvements and a continued decline, this plan allows us to position the district to provide the best possible experience for our students in the coming years.

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

See above... We have to prepare our district and more importantly, our students, for the future. CTE expansion, safe and secure facilities, and an innovative learning environment for students and work environment for staff is crucial to all the communities we serve. (We serve students in CR, Robins, Hiawatha and Palo)

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

Strength: We have amazing staff and educators here in this district, and a tradition of excellence.

Weakness: We need to advance our CTE and career pathway options for more than just 4 year college degrees after high school. Those opportunities need to begin at a young age in order to help students discover their talents and passions.

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

I always want to see us push for innovative educational opportunities. I don’t have any concerns with our curriculum, but want to ensure we are properly resourced to deliver on it.

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

I would audit the number of programs (technology, consultants, etc) and evaluate them for effectiveness.

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

School boards are the government that is closest to their constituents, and should have local control when it comes to decision-making.

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

If additional funds were available I would allocate it toward staff/teacher pay. That being said, additional funds are likely NOT to be available, and we have to find ways to not only support our staff, but find efficiency through innovation and creative thinking.

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

I always respond to direct communication. I am proud of my record of connecting people to answers, supporting staff, and being transparent. That will never change.