Meet the 5 candidates running for Waukee School Board in the 2023 election
Five candidates are running for three open seats on the Waukee School Board, including Kate Boonstra, Amy Jepsen, incumbent Wendy Marsh, Tami Rubino and incumbent Michael Trettin.
The Des Moines Register asked each candidate to respond to questions on why they're running and the issues their district is facing. Their answers may be lightly edited for clarity or length.
The election is Nov. 7.
More: How to vote in Iowa's 2023 city and school elections, including early voting and absentee ballots
Kate Boonstra
AGE: 46
GREW UP: Minnesota
CURRENT HOME: Urbandale
EDUCATION: Bachelor's in music education from Luther College; master's in gifted education curriculum and instruction from Arizona State
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None
Amy Jepsen
AGE: 49
GREW UP: West Des Moines
CURRENT HOME: West Des Moines
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in education with a Spanish endorsement, Iowa State University; Reading endorsement, Viterbo
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: (Volunteer) Lutheran Church of Hope Student Ministries, Shuler Elementary PTO (Talking Canvas chair, Striders co-chair, Shuler Grand Blue Mile co-chair, successfully wrote the $2,000 MWA Build with Bags Grant), Waukee Community School District classroom volunteer, VSA soccer & Waukee girls rec softball coach, Meals from the Heartland, current HOA board member
Wendy Marsh (incumbent)
AGE: 55
GREW UP: Des Moines
CURRENT HOME: Clive
EDUCATION: Saydel High School, Bachelor of Science in pharmacy, Drake University; Juris Doctor, Drake University Law School
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Waukee School Board, 2019-present (current president, VP 2021-2022); Waukee Chamber of Commerce (president - 2016, VP - 2015); Rotary Club of Waukee, 2007-present (president - 2012-2013); Waukee Community Schools Foundation, 2016-2022; Waukee Leadership Institute graduate, 2022
Tami Rubino
AGE: 52
GREW UP: Bloomfield, Iowa
CURRENT HOME: Urbandale
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in psychology and criminal justice, Iowa State University; Master of Public Administration, Drake University (not completed)
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: No political offices held.
Michael Trettin (incumbent)
AGE: 45
GREW UP: Waterloo
CURRENT HOME: West Des Moines
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in business/finance concentration, Wartburg College
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Waukee School Board since December 2022
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Why are you running?
Kate Boonstra: Public education is very important to me, personally and professionally. I am a fourth-generation teacher, preceded by generations of women who pursued higher education in times when few were encouraged to do so. I have served multiple Iowa districts as a vocal music teacher, and worked in Waukee as an Extended Learning Program (gifted and talented) teacher. My experiences as a parent, educator, and community member have reinforced the importance of thoughtful local decision-making when it comes to our schools. I look forward to applying these skills and experiences to board service.
Amy Jepsen: My candidacy for the WCSD School Board is driven by one unwavering focus: ensuring the well-being and future of our children.
Wendy Marsh: I have been a resident of the Waukee district since 1998 and have a great love of the school system and the community. I have served on the board for the past four years and have learned a great deal from serving that I would like to carry over to a second term. My primary goals are to help ensure that all of the students in the district are educated in a welcoming environment and receive the best possible educational experience, recruit and retain the best teachers, and maximize the school finances in furtherance of these goals.
Tami Rubino: I am running for Waukee School Board because I feel called to serve our community in a more meaningful way. Waukee is an extraordinary place to raise a family, anchored by the exceptional reputation of our public schools. As our community continues to grow, we need strong leadership on the School Board to ensure this legacy of excellence perseveres for generations to come. As a board member, I will contribute to this important mission by protecting our students, championing our teachers, being a trusted partner to administrators, a strong advocate for parents and a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.
Michael Trettin: I was appointed to the Waukee School Board in December 2022 to complete the remaining term of another candidate. I've thoroughly enjoyed the work and believe I've brought my expertise to the board and the finance committee. I am a firm believer in the benefits of public schools and want to do everything in my power to support all students, teachers, staff, and administrators.
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What is the most pressing issue facing the school district and how would you address it?
Kate Boonstra: The best outcomes for students come when families, teachers, administrators, and community members all work together. I worry that public opinion toward educators seems to have shifted toward suspicion, and away from respect and trust. Ongoing scrutiny and fear of condemnation has been destructive to the sense of collective efficacy among educators in Waukee and elsewhere. My work on the board will emphasize all the great things happening in the district while encouraging continuous improvement.
Amy Jepsen: I believe there are a few issues that are equally pressing, but one that I think most of us agree on that needs to be addressed immediately is funding. Real-time funding is a crucial issue. Currently, we count our students in October but don’t receive funding until the following July. It would be beneficial to a growing district like Waukee to have increased real-time funding. I’m committed to collaborating with state legislators to pursue such legislation.
Wendy Marsh: The chronic underfunding of public schools is by far the biggest issue facing the Waukee School District. The district has been growing exponentially at a rate of about 500-600 students per year, and last year the district received just 3% SSA funding from the state. In an economy with inflation rates of 8%+, increasing teacher pay by 3% makes it extremely challenging to attract and retain teachers. Board members can educate legislators on the need for adequate public school funding, as well as maximizing the impact of existing funds and finding alternative methods of improving the environment for teachers.
Tami Rubino: The nationwide teacher shortage is a real concern for the future of education. Teachers are quitting the profession at an alarming rate and fewer students are graduating from teaching programs. Although Waukee has made tremendous strides to be more competitive with pay and benefits, that is not the only consideration. Teachers want to work in a supportive, safe environment, they want to feel valued and – ultimately – they want autonomy to effectively educate our kids. Retaining our experienced teachers and attracting new talent must be a top priority to sustain the high quality of education in Waukee.
Michael Trettin: Funding for public schools is top of the list. Public schools in Iowa have been underfunded for years, and now a significant source of potential funding has been stripped away for Education Savings Accounts. I've been actively involved in lobbying at the Statehouse and will advocate for additional public school funding.
How would you balance the needs of students and staff while complying with a new state law, Senate File 496, that restricts certain books and LGBTQ instruction for certain grades?
Kate Boonstra: I am concerned anytime public policy negatively impacts students, particularly those from marginalized communities. Whether it’s SF 496 stipulating age-appropriateness for library materials and confining discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation to seventh grade and above, or HF 802 from a previous legislative session that prohibits stereotyping and scapegoating among other defined concepts - districts have little choice but to comply with state laws. As a board member, I would work to prevent these laws from being over-interpreted. I am committed to doing all I can to ensure the safety and welcome of each student and adult in our schools.
Amy Jepsen: Our superintendent, a former Iowa director of education, inspires trust and confidence. He is actively working with district librarians to implement the law and support our teachers in meeting the students’ needs within our district.
Wendy Marsh: The implementation of the law has certainly been a challenge for school districts as they are still awaiting guidance from the Department of Education in this regard. As such, districts have had to determine which books include "sex acts" as intended by the law without any assistance. Board members can help prevent implementing the law broader than what was intended by the Legislature. I would further try to provide a support system for students targeted and being harmed by the effects of the law, as well as ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff.
Tami Rubino: School board members are obligated to protect the school district from legal exposure by adhering to all laws and regulations, regardless of personal opinion or political affiliation. In my capacity as a board member, I have confidence in our school administration to navigate the requirements of SF 496 and trust they will handle compliance in a way that not only minimizes controversy within our community, but also mitigates disruptions to students, teachers, and staff.
Michael Trettin: The law is the law, so it must be followed. The key is to provide resources and support that are allowed within the guidelines.
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In recent years, Des Moines metro school districts have seen their enrollment numbers steadily increase. What can the district and board do to manage future student growth?
Kate Boonstra: Continuing to plan for the increased numbers of students attending Waukee schools each year is a challenge. Since the district’s general fund relies on per-pupil state aid and those funds are allocated per the previous year’s enrollment, the district has to make each dollar stretch. Delivering a quality education to each student that comes through Waukee’s doors requires consultation with expert demographers, thorough analysis, and careful decisions when funding continues to fall short of the needs.
Amy Jepsen: We’re fortunate to call Waukee our home. Historically, our community has consistently supported bond referendums to prioritize our students. This support ensures our students and teachers have the necessary facilities and resources to maintain academic excellence in Waukee.
Wendy Marsh: The district works very closely with demographers to project where the district is growing, by how many students, and when. Using this data, the district can create a long-term facilities plan to determine where and when buildings need to be added, how buildings can be used most efficiently, as well as for preparing an operational budget to determine the resources and needs of future students, including academic opportunities, to ensure students receive the best educational experience possible. Enrollment projections can further be used to help the district more efficiently plan for operational and capital expenditures.
Tami Rubino: Waukee Community School District has demonstrated remarkable skill managing its growth, and I envision this success continuing as long as we remain committed to utilizing our resources responsibly and strategically. Our district showcased its ability to successfully navigate through a split, where both school systems are now thriving. We have the geographic footprint to expand and a highly-engaged community of parents dedicated to their children’s well-being. I am confident, as a board member, that Waukee will continue to adeptly handle its current growth trajectory without compromising opportunities for students or resources for teachers and staff.
Michael Trettin: This is a constant battle for Waukee and is really outside of our control. We spend a significant amount of time working with demographers to assess buildings and capacity to make sure we have the right facilities to house our students. This also keeps school boundaries and the feeder pattern at the top of our radar.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Five candidates are running for Waukee School Board in 2023
