Our endorsement for Marion school board

Four out of seven board of director seats are on the ballot Sept. 8 when voters in the Marion Independent School District head to the polls. Five candidates, three of them incumbents, are seeking those seats. School board stalwart and former President Dan Barkley has chosen not to seek re-election.

Marion Independent, like many districts in the Corridor, has recently welcomed a new superintendent, Joseph 'Chris” Dyer. New leadership can be refreshing - a chance to try new approaches to ongoing challenges in everything from school finance to capital improvements to high school extracurriculars. But we were disappointed to find few fresh ideas in this crop of candidates.

Each who hope to serve on the MISD board seem sincere in their desire to serve students. Incumbent Dennis Trout wants to continue advocating on behalf of industrial arts and students who may pursue a trade in lieu of college. Incumbent Shelly Pearson brings her family's athletic experiences to bear when discussing additional updates at the stadium. Candidate Brent VanWey thinks his business management experience will help with budgeting. His fellow newcomer Jill Hansen would like to increase advanced learning courses at the high school to better prepare students for college.

But in our conversations with these candidates, none, save one, showed the kind of leadership, passion and unique perspective we look for in considering our endorsements. For that reason, we make a single endorsement while encouraging all would-be Marion Independent board members, if elected, to develop their ideas, to be more assertive and to ask tougher questions about how the district might continue to improve.

DAVID LAW

David Law is well-known in local and regional education circles, given that he is a former music educator in both the Marion and Cedar Rapids school districts and remains active with area civic clubs. Through his volunteer efforts, he has positioned himself as a positive role model and local leader.

Law is not only an incumbent, he is a board president who also serves in a leadership role for the Iowa Association of School Boards. His understanding of the region and its politics will only become more valuable to the local district upon Barkley's retirement from the board.

Law has a track record of working with other board members and is best positioned to lead the MISD board to take a more active leadership role in district business, which we strongly encourage.

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