Meet candidates for Iowa City school board’s open seat

IOWA CITY - Among the seven applications for the open Iowa City school board seat are some familiar names, including two former school board candidates a former board member.

The school board is meeting in special session at 6 p.m. Tuesday to appoint someone to the open seat. The meeting is at the district office, 1725 N. Dodge St.

Among the applicants for the appointment are Paul Roesler and Shawn Eyestone, who ran unsuccessfully in the September school board election.

Marla Swesey, who served on the board from 2011 to 2015, when she chose not to run for re-election, also has submitted an application.

District parents, teachers and professionals also have applied for the board vacancy.

The seat came open when Tom Yates, who was elected in September - in an election that placed five newcomers on the seven-member board - resigned May 13, just seven months into his four-year term.

The board on May 24 opted to fill the vacancy by appointment rather than hold a special election, which board president Christopher Lynch said could cost as much as $20,000.

The decision still could go to voters if district residents gather close to 2,200 signatures on a petition calling for an election.

Here are brief summaries of those who've applied for the opening, according to their applications and previous Gazette reporting:

Larry Bartlett

City:

Iowa City

Experience:

Professor emeritus from the University of Iowa College of Education, where he taught education administration for 24 years. He was in-house legal consultant for the Iowa Department of Public Instruction for 10 years and taught social studies from 1964 to 1971.

Issues:

Research interests include the 'legal aspects of student discipline, student rights and responsibilities, and special education law.”

J.P. Claussen

City:

Coralville

Experience:

Taught special education at West High School for 10 years and was president of the Iowa City Education Association, which represents teachers in negotiations. He is a district parent.

Issues:

'I believe deeply in social justice, particularly concerning race, poverty and gender in America and have long been a proponent of a greater understanding of how institutional and systemic racism and sexism affect students in the classroom.” In September, he wrote a letter to the editor supporting Tom Yates for school board.

Shawn Eyestone

City:

North Liberty

Experience:

Lost a bid for a four-year board term in September. Has been active in parent-school organizations since 2000 and is past president of District Parents' Organization.

Issues:

'If you have the data to back up your decisions, it will be more easily accepted. ... I don't have a strong personal stake in boundaries, new school openings or closings, so I can more honestly look at the choices from solely a performance-based outcome.”

Jared Hix

City:

Iowa City

Experience:

Degree in English secondary education. A district parent, be works as a content specialist for ACT.

Issues:

'I am deeply invested ... (and) want to ensure that our district remains one of the best in the state. ... I am familiar with many of the different theories on education and student learning.”

Paul Roesler

City:

Iowa City

Experience: Campaigned for the two-year board seat last year, losing to Chris Liebig. He is

an event coordinator at Scheels, a district parent and volunteer, and is married to a Mark Twain Elementary teacher.

Issues:

'I have been to virtually every school board meeting as well as committee meeting for the past four years. ... With the upcoming general-obligation bond vote just a year away, a vote we need to pass, I will work hard to get all areas in the community to support the passage.”

Marla Swesey

City:

Iowa City

Experience:

Member of Iowa City school board from 2011-15. She was a district elementary teacher for 26 years and is a past president of the Iowa City Education Association.

Issues:

'While on the school board, the Facility Master Plan, Comprehensive Strategic Plan and the Teacher Leadership Program were all introduced to the district. Another big contribution to the board would be working hard to get a new bond passed in 2017.”

Janice Weiner

City:

Iowa City

Experience:

District parent who was a Foreign Service officer with the U.S. State Department for 26 years.

Issues:

'I had the privilege of observing a variety of schools in different countries. That broad-based experience, paired with my personal education here in the Iowa City school district, would give me a unique perspective. ... I have, through my children, considerable experience with those who struggle with challenges in learning, as well as other difficulties.”

Reporter Alex Boisjolie contributed to this report.