Cedar Rapids school board candidates

Gary Anhalt

• Seat: At-large

• Address: 1933 Fouth St. SE, Cedar Rapids

• Age: 62

• Occupation: Retired teacher

• Family: Wife: Holly Sons: Ben and Peter Daughter-In-Law: Shaun Grandaughter: Macey Daughter: Heidi

• On the issues:

- We need to re-direct the focus of Education to teach to the whole child.Helping to build the success for every student by increasing our commitment to Art, Music, and Physical Education.

- Reconvene the facilities task force, look at current and future student demographics look at past use of space and programs, and bring forth any and all recommendations for Board response or action if needed.

- Move towards final decision of flood recovery for damaged district property.

Nancy J. Humbles

• Seat: District 2, which covers Cedar Rapids and rural Linn County west of 380 and north of Highway 30

• Address: 1351 Hillside Drive NW, Cedar Rapids

• Age: 58

• Occupation: Director - Center for Diversity & Enrichment - The University of Iowa

• Family: Husband, Shelby Humbles,Jr., Son, Shelby Humbles, III, Fort Worth, Texas and daughter, Shamara Humbles, Atlanta, GA - three grandchildren

• On the issues:

- Building partnerships through active engagement within the community

- Recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce

- Preparing students for education and opportunity beyond high school

Keith Westercamp

• Seat: District 3, which covers NE Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha between the Cedar River and Council Street NE

• Address: 3612 Timberline Dr. NE, Cedar Rapids

• Age: 62

• Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Appraiser employed by Appraisal Associates Company. Licensed Realtor/Broker and member of the Cedar Rapids Board of Realtors.

• Family: Married with three daughters and one son. Son is married and his family has blessed us with a grandaughter.

• On the issues:

- We are in a difficult perod for funding. Wisely spending funds is crucial to the success of our students. We must be accountable to our community for our fiscal policies.

- We need to be sure all children grow to their academic potential. Children need to be believed in that all children can achieve. Schools for years have informally said give us your children and we will educate them. It takes a community to educate our children. Parents, guardians, and community members have to get more involved. The average student that has respectable grades, regular attendance tends to be unnoticed and often has potential to do so much more. We also have to focus on the whole student and not just the academics. The more we can get students involved the more successful they will be in all segments of their school life.

- 80% of our budget goes to salaries. Schools need to consider delivery methods to a child's needs. Many of today's children come into the classroom and face a technology vacuum in the classroom. Technology cannot and should not replace an instructor, but it can enhance their education. Cedar Rapids needs to be a leader in supporting our classrooms with the tools necessary to be successful. Many of the supports needed do not involve more money. Proven systems that are measurable is one example.