MASON CITY – The Mason City Community School District is joining with other communities throughout Iowa this spring to honor its elected school board members during Iowa School Board Recognition Month during May. This year’s theme —“Educate! Advocate! Celebrate!”—recognizes that Iowa’s volunteer school board members are providing leadership, through responsibilities ranging from strong financial stewardship to ensuring high-quality curriculum, to make sure all students are prepared for a bright future when they graduate.
Serving on the local school board are Robert Thoms, President; Tim Becker, Vice President; Janna Arndt, Mark Dodd, Darshini Jayawardena, Paula Recinos, and Scott Warren.
“As your elected leaders, they represent you in their continuing commitment to local citizen control and decision-making for our public schools,” said superintendent Dr. Anita Micich, Mason City Community School District. “Too often the efforts of school board members go unrecognized and unrewarded, so let us take this opportunity to thank them for their service.”
The District will be providing information throughout the month on the district website and Facebook page about Iowa School Boards and our local District School Board and their role, as well as planning some special recognitions and celebrations throughout the month.
“Even though we are making a special effort in May to show appreciation for our school board members, we recognize their contributions reflect a year-long effort on their part,” said Dr. Micich. “They are dedicated individuals who are committed to improving student achievement and to striving for the best for all of our students.”
Where would we get the email addresses of the board members? There was an article in the Glob about a young man and his class planning on attending the meeting in protest of the cuts. So how does one go about contacting members prior to the meeting so they are allowed to speak?
Excellent question. This school district is not very open about disclosing public information, and I think, does not want the public “bothering” these elected officials. I have asked a number of times for the district to post the email addresses of the school board members on the district web site. Am always paid some lip service, then nothing happens. I also asked for information on the teacher contract negotiations, was paid lip service (via email) and got – nothing. I would say the school district is far down the list of open and transparent, behind city hall and even the county. If you want to speak at a school board meeting, you have to show up early and fill out a form.
Could that be why they scheduled the meeting when there are so many extra curricular activities going on? Hoping that parents wouldn’t show up?
What a load of unadulterated doggy doo doo. It’s just sucking up to the people that are supposed to be objective. It’s like drug dealers honoring their suppliers.
To your point, I think here in MC, most people run for office on one personal issue that they want to get accomplished, and not always under the general premise of “serving the people”. I hear a new school board member was upset about rules connected to dresses that students wear to prom. So she ran for school board – with no opposition – and won. How much substance is left with the elected person? On the city council, we have two like that. Travis Hickey wanted to make sure he changed zoning laws and was in a position of power to keep his illegally-built double garages. Once he got that done – almost immediately after he was elected – he hasn’t had one single, solitary idea since, in four years, beside equating city hall to mcdonalds. Janet Solberg, same thing, she promised paved roads in Central Heights. She got hers paved, and hardly any others, and quickly ran out of gas, never uttered a coherent sentence in four years. Once these people get in, it’s hard to get them out, since voters are (extremely) lazy and uneducated on the issues.
What the heck has the school board done except give into Micich. They need to tared and feathered and she should be fired
Guess we will see your name on the ballot next election????
My understanding is that there is a school board meeting Monday. Parents of kids in Madon City need to try and attend. The board is cutting ALOT of positions for next year. The first cut that should be made is Ms. Micich. She makes an exorbant amount of money. Since she’s been here our school system keeps getting further into debt. There are quite a few games and sporting events Monday, but parents please try to make the meeting and support our teachers and coaches.