Oelwein Daily Register > News
Board hopefuls share views at public forum
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| Oelwein School Board candidates (top photo, l-r) Jim Moeller, David Eick and Kellie Henneges didn’t play to a packed house but it appeared to be an enthusiastic one at the candidate’s round table Wednesday at the Middle School. |
By John Jensen
OELWEIN - More than 20 community members took the opportunity to meet the candidates for the Oelwein Community School District Board of
Directors during a public forum Wednesday at the Oelwein Middle School.
Veteran Board member Jim Moeller is running unopposed for the District 1 seat while David Eick and Kellie Henneges are competing for the at large spot that will be vacated by Jean Nelson at the end of her current term.
Moeller has been on the Board for 18 years, the last several as Board president, yet joked that he has no qualifications to serve.
"Eighteen years ... I don't know," he said.
Eick is an Iowa State Patrolman who has served many roles with the state patrol while Henniges is currently completing a pair of collegiate bachelor's degrees and plans to begin work on a master's degree next year. Both Eick and Henniges have served as union stewards in various jobs and both have been involved in leadership training.
Both Eick and Henniges currently have children in the School District while Moeller has grandchildren in the District.
The candidates sounded off on various school issues, including the controversial subject of administrators' salaries.
"You get what you pay for," Eick said. "The cheapest is not always the best, but neither is the most expensive."
Moeller, who has been involved with the hiring of several administrators, said it is important that the district offer a high enough salary to attract a candidate qualified to work in a school system Oelwein's size. He said the Board looks at what other school district's size, including Independence and West Delaware, are paying when it advertises for a candidate.
"We don't want to be the highest, but we don't want to be the lowest either," he said. "We want to be mid-pack."
Asked about budget priorities, all three candidates said it is important to keep student needs in mind with any decision that is made.
"Budgeting can get people fired up quickly," Henniges said.
Moeller said the district's biggest challenge budget-wise is keeping class size appropriate while balancing the money available.
Eick said one of his priorities for the district would be that it keep as current as possible with technology.
"It's always on the move, and it's expensive," he said.
Henniges added that she would like to see the school registration process streamlined, and possibly moved online if possible. She added that it is important that the District uses the best curriculum possible, praising the district for its use of a popular kindergarten resource.
Moeller noted that the next major improvement project that School District will need to tackle is the Middle School swimming pool, which is currently closed. He added, however, that the project is at least two years away as the District pays for recent geothermal energy projects.
The School Board election is scheduled for Tuesday. Also on the ballot will be renewal of the Oelwein Community School District Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PEPL) that provides funding for purchase and upkeep of buildings, school buses and parking lots. This will be for a tax of $1.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation, for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.
Also, the 10-year extension of the annual six-cent levy tax, per $1,000 assessed valuation, for Northeast Iowa Community College, will be voted upon.
Directors during a public forum Wednesday at the Oelwein Middle School.
Veteran Board member Jim Moeller is running unopposed for the District 1 seat while David Eick and Kellie Henneges are competing for the at large spot that will be vacated by Jean Nelson at the end of her current term.
Moeller has been on the Board for 18 years, the last several as Board president, yet joked that he has no qualifications to serve.
"Eighteen years ... I don't know," he said.
Eick is an Iowa State Patrolman who has served many roles with the state patrol while Henniges is currently completing a pair of collegiate bachelor's degrees and plans to begin work on a master's degree next year. Both Eick and Henniges have served as union stewards in various jobs and both have been involved in leadership training.
Both Eick and Henniges currently have children in the School District while Moeller has grandchildren in the District.
The candidates sounded off on various school issues, including the controversial subject of administrators' salaries.
"You get what you pay for," Eick said. "The cheapest is not always the best, but neither is the most expensive."
Moeller, who has been involved with the hiring of several administrators, said it is important that the district offer a high enough salary to attract a candidate qualified to work in a school system Oelwein's size. He said the Board looks at what other school district's size, including Independence and West Delaware, are paying when it advertises for a candidate.
"We don't want to be the highest, but we don't want to be the lowest either," he said. "We want to be mid-pack."
Asked about budget priorities, all three candidates said it is important to keep student needs in mind with any decision that is made.
"Budgeting can get people fired up quickly," Henniges said.
Moeller said the district's biggest challenge budget-wise is keeping class size appropriate while balancing the money available.
Eick said one of his priorities for the district would be that it keep as current as possible with technology.
"It's always on the move, and it's expensive," he said.
Henniges added that she would like to see the school registration process streamlined, and possibly moved online if possible. She added that it is important that the District uses the best curriculum possible, praising the district for its use of a popular kindergarten resource.
Moeller noted that the next major improvement project that School District will need to tackle is the Middle School swimming pool, which is currently closed. He added, however, that the project is at least two years away as the District pays for recent geothermal energy projects.
The School Board election is scheduled for Tuesday. Also on the ballot will be renewal of the Oelwein Community School District Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PEPL) that provides funding for purchase and upkeep of buildings, school buses and parking lots. This will be for a tax of $1.34 per $1,000 assessed valuation, for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.
Also, the 10-year extension of the annual six-cent levy tax, per $1,000 assessed valuation, for Northeast Iowa Community College, will be voted upon.
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