East Sac County CSD School Board Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Name: Jim Wallace

Position Sought: School Board

Email Address: jim.wallace.esc@gmail.com

Phone Number: 712-660-3120

Background and Experience

1. Why did you decide to run for the East Sac County school board for this upcoming term?

I’m running for a second term on the school board because I want to help ensure the positive momentum that our school and its leadership have built together continues. When you look back at just the past two years, you’ll see that staff retention and morale have greatly improved and our student’s ISASP test scores have made dramatic gains, with both buildings earning “commendable” status from the Iowa Department of Education. Both of these points highlight the dedication of our wonderful staff and are a direct reflection of the commitment they have made to our community and students. We’ve enhanced school safety through adding local law enforcement presence at our high school as well as outfitting classroom doors with state-of-the- art safety locks. As we look to the future, there is a clear roadmap to tackling the challenges that come with aging infrastructure, made possible by the visionary leadership of our administrative team. Ensuring that our school leaders have board support to implement the best path forward is a key part of being a school board member, and I would be honored to continue to play a small part in that.

2. Please provide a brief summary of your background and involvement with the East Sac County CSD community.

First, I have two daughters, Olive in 5th grade and Willow in 2nd grade, that attend East Sac; ensuring they and their fellow students receive the best possible educational experience that our community can provide if top of my list. Second, I’ve spent the last four years as a member of the East Sac School Board. It’s been awesome to see the gains that our district has made over the past few years, I want to ensure that the positive momentum continues. Third, having lived in this community for the better part of the last almost 30 years, I’m deeply involved with many community groups and have a solid understanding of how our communities operate and what we need to thrive.

3. What experiences or qualifications do you believe prepare you to serve effectively on the school board?

While certainly not a requirement, I feel that having kids who attend East Sac is a qualification that shouldn’t be overlooked. Parents of students should have a strong desire to help guide the institution that plays a major role in their development, it makes sense for the board to reflect the opinions of those who have direct involvement with students at East Sac. My track record of community involvement is lengthy and I’m more than willing to volunteer my time to help better our community and school system. Having served on a broad array of boards across our community has helped to prepare me for the important role of school board member. Lastly, my role as Vice President of Live Hog Operations for Perdue Premium Meat Company exposes me to a wide array of business challenges, not unlike what our district faces on a weekly basis. My demonstrated ability to navigate tough decisions, whether financial or people focused, is certainly a strong skill for a board member to possess.

Vision and Priorities

4. What are your top priorities if elected to the school board?

Simply put, to continue the positive improvement that our district has achieved over the past few years. Ensuring we have a culture that attracts talented teachers, especially given the current teacher shortage across our state, is key to providing a solid foundation for learning. Reducing teacher turnover is vital (we’ve improved greatly in this metric), attracting top notch talent to replace teachers that do choose to move on or retire is paramount.

School revenue is largely dictated by student enrollment. Ensuring we provide experiences that retain the students within our district boundaries, while positioning ourselves to be able to pull in open enrollment students, is key to our financial health as a district. This is a direct reflection of our culture and offerings; building on our ever-strengthening foundation will pay dividends.

Lastly, continuing to enhance the safety of our schools is something that we cannot afford to neglect. Safety encompasses many things: facilities that require improvements (this requires funding), staff and student safety on a daily basis in the classroom (this requires parents to take an active interest in their student’s behaviors) and working to mitigate any external safety issues that we’ve become used to seeing on the nightly news (this requires vigilance, technology and partnership with local law enforcement).

Governance and Collaboration

5. How will your current experience and knowledge of the East Sac County School District prepare you serve effectively on the school board if elected?

Being a ESC board member the past four years is clearly a leg up in the experience department. I’ve been a part of the planning and leadership that has helped to lead undeniable improvements to the district over the past few years. As I’ve stated above, we have the roadmap to continue this momentum.

Having two students who attend East Sac, as well as a wife who spends most school days subbing for the district, keep me well informed of the day to day happenings in the school. Their safety and overall educational experience is a clear guide point for me when it comes to how I view our district.

6. How would you approach decision-making when there are differing opinions among board members or between the board and community?

Information is key in these instances. The ability to take a position but also have an open mind to understanding logical counterpoints is also important. Being able to sort out the pros and cons of any scenario and then make a decision that is in the interests of the largest percentage of the student population, while balancing the fiscal ability of the district to absorb said decision, is the fairest way to address almost any issue that arises. I’m happy to clearly explain my position to community members and always willing to have the debates necessary at the board level. We’re going to continue to face tightening budgets while at the same time encountering an expanding number of opportunities that require our attention and capital. Being able to sort through the absolutely have to haves, the nice to haves and the want to haves will be the continued challenge of small school districts. Electing board members that understand this and can sort through the noise is only going to become more important.

Community and Communication

7. How would you engage families, staff, and community members in your work as a board member?

First, I’d love to see more folks show up to school board meetings. Receiving feedback in the board setting from community members is a highlight of our meetings. Given how busy the average parent is with student activities, it’s not a surprise that our meetings are lightly attended. But that doesn’t preclude parents from calling board members with concerns, and I’m always happy to field those calls. Typically, a little extra insight as to why things are the way they are helps to alleviate concerns. Especially in talking with my fellow parents of students, knowing that I have kids in school helps to lend credibility to my positions. I truly do appreciate understanding the challenges that other parents face, being such a diverse and spread out district does not mean one size fits all. From a staff standpoint, I’m happy to understand the challenges they are facing. Their insight into the day to day of what goes on inside our classroom walls is valuable feedback for making board decisions.

Closing

8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your vision for the district?

As you’ve probably gleaned from my previous answers, I’m a big fan of the trajectory that our school district is on and I am humbled to have been a small part of it for the past four years. I’m certain that with steady leadership at the board level, we can help to continue to guide East Sac towards even greater heights, whether we are measuring that in test scores, students choosing East Sac as their school to attend or teachers choosing our school and community as a place they feel comfortable growing their careers and families. Growing up, my family moved 12 times before we returned to Lake View for good, right before my freshman year of high school at WLVA. On top of that my career has allowed me to travel all across our country; I know first hand how special and unique our community is. There is no place I’d rather raise my family; making sure we have a school that helps to compliment our wonderful community is something that I take very seriously. I would certainly appreciate your vote to reelect me to the East Sac School Board!

East Sac County CSD School Board Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Name: Kyle Leners

Position Sought: School Board

Email Address: kleners14@gmail.com

Phone Number: 712-660-5145

Background and Experience

1. Why did you decide to run for the East Sac County school board for this upcoming term?

I have three kids, (Avery 11, Abigail 9, Adilynn 5), in school and I want to be a part of the decisions that help shape their future. Education is very important in our family, and I want to make sure they have every opportunity to succeed and enjoy the learning experience.

2. Please provide a brief summary of your background and involvement with the East Sac County CSD community.

I supported my wife when she was the assistant dance coach for the drill team and have attended numerous activities. I have been active in parent teacher conferences for all my children. This gives me great experience across all grade levels. I also enjoy participating in High Five Fridays with the Lake View Fire Department each year.

3. What experiences or qualifications do you believe prepare you to serve effectively on the school board?

I am the Product Engineering Manager at GOMACO and interact with many departments daily. I serve on an international standards committee along with many domestic associations. This has allowed me to work on a wide variety of issues and given me the ability to work as a team to come up with resolutions that best suit all involved parties. I graduated from WLVA in 2004, and from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2010.

Vision and Priorities

4. What are your top priorities if elected to the school board?

Teacher retention and facilities/equipment maintenance. I believe we need to have motivated leaders that encourage and inspire all students to be the best they can be. Greatness and excitement spreads so my hope is that all students can be treated equally and feel seen every day they step foot inside our schools. To make sure learning is at the forefront of each day we need to make certain that our facilities are state-of-the-art and provide the latest technology appropriate for every age.

Governance and Collaboration

5. How will your current experience and knowledge of the East Sac County School District prepare you serve effectively on the school board if elected?

With three students in the district, I have had the chance to meet a lot of the teachers through parent-teacher conferences. I have listened to their opinions on the curriculum they are expected to teach and how they believe it impacts the students. The teachers have the best insight into what is working and what isn’t. They are the ones that see the students and their progress each day.

6. How would you approach decision-making when there are differing opinions among board members or between the board and community?

I believe the best boards are made up of individuals with differing opinions. Having a group of individuals that can collaborate on an issue and talk through the different scenarios leads to the best decision. I reserve judgement until I have been able to hear opinions from both sides before making an educated decision. I make decisions based on reason and logic over emotional acceptance.

Community and Communication

7. How would you engage families, staff, and community members in your work as a board member?

I will ensure decisions are made that have the best interest of the students as the top priority.

Closing

8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your vision for the district?

I work well as a team member and have been a part of this community my entire life aside from my years in college. I understand the importance of education and what role it plays in shaping the next generation. I have three students enrolled at ESC and I want to make sure the decisions that are made have their best interests as the highest priority.

East Sac County CSD School Board Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Name: Jon Quinn

Position Sought: School Board

Email Address: jequinnmd@yahoo.com

Phone Number: 712-657-2139

Background and Experience

1. Why did you decide to run for the East Sac County school board for this upcoming term?

I'm a native of Lake View, alumnus of LV-A, retired ten yrs ago and think this is the best way I'm able to contribute to our area.

2. Please provide a brief summary of your background and involvement with the East Sac County CSD community.

ESC per se, limited involvement if any. I've supported the Booster Club, occasionally attend events.  At this stage in life I'd like to be more involved with the school, and have minimal acquaintance with anyone on the current staff.

3. What experiences or qualifications do you believe prepare you to serve effectively on the school board?

My main concern is academics,  and have spent my life as a student and professional. I've been in public education in Iowa about as far as you can go, with a good amount of success.  My B.S. was from Iowa State, and AgBus was essentially economics and finance.  My M.D. was from Iowa, and all of my training was in-state, in Des Moines and Iowa City including our state's two VAMC's. After board-certification I was a partner in a large anesthesia P.C. in Des Moines affiliated with Iowa Methodist.  It's simply a life spent in academics and as a professional, life-long curiosity and learning which I retain to this day.

Vision and Priorities

4. What are your top priorities if elected to the school board?

Well, again academics.  I'm a product of this school system when Iowa was ranked first in education, and the youngest of a generation in a community with some pretty high achievers.  I know we're not doing well as a state, and several yrs ago our school was ranked around the 40th-50th percentile in that state.

Governance and Collaboration

5. How will your current experience and knowledge of the East Sac County School District prepare you serve effectively on the school board if elected?

I'm an outsider who would like to be involved, part of the conversation. I'm as Sac County as Sac County gets, the end of four generations here, a lifelong Iowan who's returned home.

6. How would you approach decision-making when there are differing opinions among board members or between the board and community?

Interacting with those of differing opinions- I'm a retiree who's free as a bird, rarely leaves town, and whose home is always open.  There's nearly no other time commitments I otherwise have.  There's probably some similarities with the situations in hospitals where there's disagreements among various factions, and different groups have competing interests.  I think you'd find me to be a  pleasant person to interact with on a board.

Community and Communication

7. How would you engage families, staff, and community members in your work as a board member?

Again, I'm a local, would welcome knowing those who have followed me and my ancestors here, the administrators, new instructors, and next generations of families.

Closing

8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your vision for the district?

We certainly have assets in these communities, and from what I see the capabilities to do so well.  I'm your old grey ghost candidate, asking to be involved with the  school because he thinks he has something to say.  I think I would represent an outstanding cross section of our communities, a good civil ear and mind on a local public school board.  If you're able to support me, please do.

East Sac County CSD School Board Candidate Questionnaire

Candidate Name: Kimble Bromley

Position Sought: School Board

Email Address: Kimble.Bromley@ndus.edu

Phone Number: 701-866-1589

Background and Experience

1. Why did you decide to run for the East Sac County school board for this upcoming term?

As a graduate of Lake View-Auburn, I experienced firsthand the benefits of a strong education and robust extracurricular offerings. It’s my goal to help return our schools to that high standard. Today, East Sac County (ESC) ranks around the middle among Iowa schools, and there’s a noticeable decline in student participation in extracurricular activities. I believe supporting our teachers and administrators is critical to revitalizing student engagement and academic achievement. A well-educated, well-rounded graduate not only contributes positively to our local community but also enhances our broader state economy by becoming a productive member of society. By serving on the school board, I hope to be a bridge between our community and the school system, bringing fresh ideas and practical experience to the table. I’m passionate about making our schools stronger—for students, families, and our future.

2. Please provide a brief summary of your background and involvement with the East Sac County CSD community.

I’m a proud native of Lake View and a 1974 graduate of Lake View-Auburn High School. I’m married to Gretchen Bromley, and together we have two adult daughters and two grandchildren. Much of my extended family still lives in the area. I earned a double major in psychology and sociology from Buena Vista College, then went on to receive a Master of Arts in art from the University of Northern Iowa. I later completed my terminal degree, a Master of Fine Arts, at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Since retiring and moving back to Lake View, I’ve stayed active in the community by participating in the Lake View Community Club, volunteering at the Historical Museum, and joining both the fiction and nonfiction book clubs at the local library.

3. What experiences or qualifications do you believe prepare you to serve effectively on the school board?

Over the course of more than 40 years in higher education, I taught at DePaul University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, and spent the last 28 years of my career at North Dakota State University, serving as both a professor and an academic administrator. As both a teacher and administrator I understand the complexities of classrooms, schools, and educational leadership. I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and how to adapt when facing challenges.

Vision and Priorities

4. What are your top priorities if elected to the school board?

I feel the three most pressing challenges facing our district are teacher recruitment and retention, budgeting, and student health—particularly mental health.  

Rural schools often struggle to attract and keep high-quality educators, especially when competing with urban districts. However, ESC communities offer many advantages, including affordable housing, strong community support, access to recreation, and proximity to urban centers. We must actively promote these benefits. We must commit to giving our teachers the support they deserve through ongoing training, classroom assistance and fair compensation. Supporting our administrators in attending recruiting fairs and events and visiting teacher education programs at colleges and universities will be crucial steps moving forward. 

State funding is not what it once was, and every dollar must be spent wisely. That means working closely with administrators and teachers to prioritize needs, find creative solutions, and ensure funds directly enhance student learning and classroom success. Transparent collaboration and compromise will be essential in this process. 

Student health, especially mental health, must remain a top priority. ESC has already taken positive steps, such as limiting phone use during the school day and welcoming law enforcement for campus visits. But ongoing support and investment in school personnel trained in mental health is essential. It’s a shared responsibility among school staff, parents, and the broader community to ensure our schools are safe, supportive environments for all students. In all these areas, my goal is to contribute thoughtful, experienced-based insights to help the district grow and improve.

Governance and Collaboration

5. How will your current experience and knowledge of the East Sac County School District prepare you serve effectively on the school board if elected?

I have actively engaged with the community and school administrators to better understand the current state of East Sac County Schools. I’ve interviewed the Superintendent, as well as the Junior/Senior High and Elementary Principals, and have spoken directly with teachers. Through conversations in various community groups, I’ve been regularly asking questions and listening to others’ perspectives about ESC and its students. I also reached out to neighbors about how their children are doing in school. These interactions have given me valuable insight into both the many positives happening at ESC and the challenges the district continues to face.

6. How would you approach decision-making when there are differing opinions among board members or between the board and community?

I feel it’s important for every board member to respectively listen to all perspectives when making decisions. Taking time to study and research each issue, seeking input from stakeholders and experts, and reviewing how similar situations have been addressed in the past or in other school districts can all lead to more informed and effective decisions.

Community and Communication

7. How would you engage families, staff, and community members in your work as a board member?

As a board member, I would engage families, staff and community members with an open mind and genuine desire to listen and learn. I recognize that concerns will arise, and I believe it’s important to seek out and understand differing opinions to gain a complete perspective on any situation. I would encourage open communication by being accessible and transparent, whether through community meetings, school events, or informal conversations. Equally important, I would take time to celebrate and share the many positive achievements happening with East Sac County Schools and our community, highlighting the successes of our students, teachers and staff.

Closing

8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your vision for the district?

With more than four decades of experience in education, as both a teacher and administrator, I understand the complexities of classrooms, schools, and educational leadership. I’ve seen what works, what doesn’t’ and how to adapt when facing challenges. My career has been dedicated to fostering critical and creative thinking, skills I would bring to the school board in helping find innovative solutions. Having overseen faculty and support staff, I bring empathy and insight into what administrators and educators navigate daily. I also bring a deep commitment to our community. I grew up here, returned after retiring, and remain actively involved. My diverse educational experiences, combined with my local roots and passion for public service, give me a unique perspective and a strong desire to help ESC schools the best they can be. Public education shaped who I am—I believe in its power and I am committed to ensuring East Sac County students have the opportunities they deserve.