Barclay Woerner for Cedar Rapids School Board: Every child is precious

Who is Barclay Woerner?

I am a Christian father of five who believes that every child is precious. My children have attended many of the elementary and middle schools in Cedar Rapids. My oldest son graduated from the home school program while my daughter graduated from Jefferson High School. My children have been involved with athletics, music and theater. They have been in honors classes as well as special education classes. I have worked in retail management and the logistics industry. After receiving my Masters of Accounting from the University of Iowa, I volunteered many springs preparing taxes for those who have low and moderate income with the VITA program.

1. Currently, there is not anyone on the board with a business or finance background. This is creating a lack of oversight of the district's finances (especially on the new school buildings, which are severely over budget)

2. CRCSD is currently lacking over 60 paraprofessionals. Classrooms have increased in size with the promise of paras to help the teachers in the classroom. Failure to provide the appropriate staffing will cause decreased learning and increased turnover of both teachers and paras. $12.44 an hour is no longer competitive in the current hiring environment.

3. Parental choice has been taken away by the school board with its current mask mandate. Every parent should have a choice as to whether or not their child should wear a mask to school, get a shot, etc. Each family has its own set of life experiences and beliefs that guide its choices. Ten years ago, my youngest son was diagnosed with leukemia. As soon as he was healthy enough to attend school, we sent him - first to preschool and then to kindergarten while still taking chemotherapy that suppressed his immune system. Despite his weakened immune system, the only request my wife and I made of the school was that he had his own writing utensils. We didn’t ask others to mask, get shots, or stay away from him.

Barclay Woerner is a candidate for Cedar Rapids School Board.