Des Moines voting guide: School board candidates

Welcome to our Des Moines school board voting guide for the Nov. 7 election.

Why it matters: The board sets the standards for what Des Moines Public Schools should prioritize.

Driving the news: Three of the board's seven seats are up for election: District 1's, District 3's and an at-large seat.

• Incumbents Dwana Bradley (District 3) and Kelli Soyer (at-large) are not seeking re-election.
• Incumbent Kim Martorano is unopposed in seeking re-election for District 1.

State of play: Anna Campos, an East High School alum who spurred change after her daughter was killed in a hit-and-run, and civic engagement leader Victoria Henderson Weber, are running for district 3.

• Patrick Dix, a former WHO-13 anchor and business professional and Logan Villhauer, an LGBTQ advocate, are running for the open at-large seat.

Below are the candidates' responses who are running for challenged seats to Axios' survey questions.

• Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.

Rapid-fire questions

Do you agree with Superintendent Ian Roberts' decision to consider job applicants who may have a criminal record, such as a drug conviction?

Campos: 👍 We had been losing out. With this change, we can open more doors.

Dix: 👍 I hope none of us are judged solely on the best or the worst thing we've ever done. With the proper controls in place, a policy like this can work.

Villhauer: 👍 Yes, full stop.

Weber: 👍 I believe all qualified applicants should have the opportunity to prove they are the best person for the job.

Should the Des Moines Police Department have a bigger presence/partnership with Des Moines Public Schools?

Campos: 👎 We need to look at alternative safety measures and restorative justice programs using community resources when it comes to police presence.

• I feel that DMPS also needs community partnership, including with DMPD.

Dix: 👍 Done properly in collaboration with community, an SRO program can provide kids with a positive first contact with police. It can build relationships and trust.

• My focus would be on training and oversight of the program.

Villhauer: 👎 to presence. 👍 with conditions to partnership.

Weber: 👎 There should, however, be a comprehensive partnership that supports student/staff safety and community relations, while not unnecessarily criminalizing youth and contributing to the school-to-prison pipeline.

What letter grade would you assign the current school board for their performance over the last two years?

Campos: B-

Dix: B. Answering this is like asking a teacher to grade a student by observing from the hallway.

• The Des Moines School Board deals with complicated issues and balances many priorities based on the needs of the community.

Villhauer: C. Passable, but could improve if they applied themselves and listened to the community more.

Weber: B. They're on the right track, but there is always room for improvement when the best interest of our students is involved.

Short answer questions

What are three things you plan on championing to improve students' overall experience at DMPS?

Campos:

1. I want all students to be given the same opportunities as other districts by getting community and business involvement in our schools.
2. Embrace our cultural differences. We need to make sure everyone feels welcome in our schools — if that is finding staff that look like our students or educating staff in cultural awareness.
3. School safety. We need our staff and students to feel safe in and outside of our school.

Dix:

1. Accountability: Responsible use and allocation of limited resources, and also raising the expectations we have of the district.
2. Communication and collaboration: Making it easier for our families to engage in their student's experience by giving the community a better view of the success and challenges of Des Moines Schools.
3. Environment: Helping set consistent expectations that we treat each other as we would want to be treated.

Villhauer:

1. Listening to students' concerns to show them their input is valued and uplifted.
2. Championing our students' socio-emotional skill development, as well as critical thinking and life skills.
3. Embracing new technology in a way that furthers those goals.

Weber: I will champion equitable education, community engagement and a focus on student outcomes and opportunities to enhance our students' overall experiences at DMPS.

• These focus areas intentionally aim to create safe, inclusive, engaging and academically successful learning environments where educators can be their best selves and students can enjoy having the freedom to learn.

How should the school board address declining student enrollment, especially to neighboring districts and private schools?

Campos: We need to be out in our community asking the hard questions and listening to parents on the reasons why they have chosen to move their children.

• We need to look at community partnerships. We need to look at our programs that we can offer.

Dix: Des Moines Public Schools has to step up and compete to be the best district in the state. We have no choice.

• If the state won't recognize Des Moines' unique funding circumstances, we must seek additional public and private partnerships to provide the resources our students deserve.

Villhauer: The board should champion programs that add value to our students and educators' lives and make our district more appealing to those who want to live those values.

• We should also not shy away from speaking to the reasons for declining enrollment and the very real attempt to warp a solid education to something only afforded to those who can afford to pay.

Weber: DMPS should continue to prioritize enhancing the quality of education, offering comprehensive programs, developing its world-class teachers and actively engaging in the community.

• Collaboration with parents, students, educators and community groups is essential to understanding the needs of the community and to create a compelling and competitive educational environment.

As a school board member, what do you believe is your role in partisan politics and legislative advocacy?

Campos: Our role is to advocate for our students and staff.

• If that means going up to the capitol and advocating, that is what we must do.

Dix: As a board member, I will relentlessly advocate for the students we serve. It isn't partisan, it's imperative.

• I will work hard to build relationships with all elected officials and leaders interested in collaborating to find consensus and bring resources to our students, teachers and staff.

Villhauer: The fact that I am living my life as an open and proud queer person who also performed as a drag queen is a political statement.

• As a board member, my role would be to give a platform for our communities' voices to be uplifted. The stark reality is that a lot of what we are able to provide and do is decided at the Capitol.

Weber: The role of a school board is to govern towards student outcomes that reflect community values and what's in the best interest of students.

• Non-partisan legislative advocacy may be necessary to ensure the resources are available for the district to provide what is required to support the whole child and their freedom to learn.

What's next: See our voting guides for Des Moines mayor and Ward 1 city council.