Two incumbents, one newcomer elected to Iowa City school board

Voters in the Iowa City Community School District elected two incumbents and one newcomer to fill three seats on the Iowa City school board Tuesday.

Five candidates put their names forward to fill the three seats: Jayne Finch, 54, and Ruthina Malone, 49, both incumbents, as well as Jennifer Horn-Frasier, 55, David Noerper, 57, and Dan Stevenson, 48.

Finch, Malone and Horn-Frasier won the race, with 26.4, 26.3, and 20.3 percent of votes, respectively. Stevenson had 19.7 percent of votes, and Noerper had 6.7 percent, according to unofficial results available Tuesday night.

The seven-member board serves about 14,000 students in the Iowa City Community School District, and board members are not paid.

Jayne Finch

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Finch, who has been on the board since 2021, said in a Gazette questionnaire, she was running for re-election to provide “stable, experienced leadership that is vital at a time when our public schools are under attack.”

Her top priorities for the district are maintaining student enrollment, ensuring classroom safety and improving student outcomes.

“These priorities reinforce one another: safe schools support strong learning, strong outcomes build trust, and sustained enrollment allows us to invest in what matters — from preschool through graduation,” Finch said.

Ruthina Malone

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Malone has been on the board since 2017 and has served as the board president since 2022. She told The Gazette she ran for re-election because she is “passionate about public education, and I believe I can continue to offer steady leadership to keep our district thriving for all students, staff and families.”

Her priorities for the district include attracting and retaining top teachers and paraprofessionals, expanding full-day preschool options, and preparing students for various postsecondary paths.

“I believe our biggest strength is our community, which remains strongly committed to public education for all,” she said.

Jennifer Horn-Frasier

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Horn-Frasier has not held public office before. She said, in a Gazette questionnaire, that she decided to run for the school board because she is “deeply concerned about the future of public education.”

Her top priorities for the district are promoting civil rights and safety, advocating for precise budgeting with as funds for public education grow more limited, and working to close achievement gaps and ensure academic excellence.

“Public education is under systematic attack in America and in Iowa, and I want to contribute my expertise and energy to protecting, sustaining, and growing our outstanding Iowa City Community School District,” Horn-Frasier said.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com