Meet the five candidates running for Perry School Board in the 2023 election
Five candidates are vying for three seats on the Perry School Board, including incumbent Linda Andorf, Jacob Ballard, Max Christensen, Mindy Farmer and Joseph Tuhn.
The Perry Chief asked each candidate to respond to questions on why they're running and the issues their district/community is facing. Their answers may be lightly edited for clarity or length.
The election is Nov. 7.
More: Here's what you need to know for Election Day in the Des Moines metro
Linda Andorf
GREW UP: I grew up on the Eastside of Des Moines and graduated from East High School.
CURRENT HOME: Perry
EDUCATION: BA from University of Northern Iowa – Social Studies Education; MA from University of Northern Iowa – Special Education
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Treasurer of Dallas County Area Retired School Personnel - 10 years; PCSD School Board Director - finishing 2nd term; Vice President of PCSD School Board - 3 years; President PCSD School Board - 2 years; Member of 100+ People for Perry; Member of Perry Optimist Club; Member of Perry School Foundation; Work with my husband to coordinate Perry Toy Drive for New Opportunities - 10 years
Jacob Ballard
AGE: 45
GREW UP: Perry
CURRENT HOME: Perry
EDUCATION: Business Administration degree – William Penn University; Master of Business Admin- University of Phoenix; Graduate Accounting Certificate (Professional Degree) – University of Phoenix
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Held Board Secretary/Treasurer positions for both United Community School District (5 years) and North Polk Community School District (1 year). Also have held the School Business Official License for both school districts.
Max Christensen
AGE: 65
GREW UP: The youngest of four brothers, on a farm in southwest Iowa near the town of Anita. I learned early on that hard work and determination do pay off! I also learned the value of education in not only moving ahead personally but also for those around me.
CURRENT HOME: Perry with my wife Lisa and our two children.
EDUCATION: High school; Computer Programming - Southwest Iowa Community College; Radio Broadcasting Degree - Columbia School of Broadcasting; Real Estate License - Iowa Central Community College
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: I was elected as President to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services in 2012, for a two-year term. I was on the NASDPTS executive board for 10 years, from 2010-2020 plus I served a two-year term on the NASDPTS board from 2007-2009, all volunteer. I ran for the Perry School Board a few years back as a last minute write-in candidate, however I did lose that election. I do volunteer work in our church and I volunteer as a helper with many of our kid’s musical events.
Mindy Farmer
AGE: 44
GREW UP: Everett, WA
CURRENT HOME: Perry
EDUCATION: BA in English from Brigham Young University and Masters Degree in English from Southern New Hampshire University
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Share the Love Area Program Volunteer, Iowa City, IA - 2013-2014; Girls on the Run LunaFest Volunteer Planning Committee, Iowa City, IA - 2013-2014; School Library Volunteer, Robert Lucas Elementary School, Iowa City, IA - 2014; School Library Volunteer, St. Patrick’s School, Perry, IA - 2016-2018; Home and Family Committee Volunteer, St. Patrick’s School, Perry, IA - 2017-2020; St. Patrick’s Church Rummage Sale Volunteer, Perry, IA- 2022 and 2023; St. Pat’s Gala and Auction Chair, Perry, IA - 2021-2023; Perry Food Pantry Volunteer, Perry, IA - 2023
Joe Tuhn
AGE: 46
GREW UP: Perry
CURRENT HOME: Perry
EDUCATION: Some college
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None
Why are you running?
Linda Andorf: I have served on the board for 8 years and am seeking re-election because education is important to me. I have many years of experience in the classroom and have seen many changes in education. I want to be a part of assuring that our district can and will provide the best quality education that we can and live up to our mission statement of developing “knowledgeable, skilled and productive citizens of character.” Serving on the board is my way of giving back to the institution that has given so much to me.
Jacob Ballard: I am running for Perry School Board Director because I am looking to help lead the district in the area of establishing budgets and policy that ensure future growth for the school district and educational excellence. I feel my experience as a School Business Official and Board Secretary/Treasurer will be beneficial to the district.
Max Christensen: I think we have a strong and vibrant school system, and I would like to see our schools continue to grow and succeed. Look at Perry Elementary winning the National Blue Ribbon Schools Award! We can do more of this and I would like to be a part of that success. Additionally, I have a wife teaching at the Perry Middle School and we have two kids in the Perry High School, so I have a vested interest to ensure that Perry Schools are all they can be, and not just for them but for all staff and students.
Mindy Farmer: As a mom of four, public librarian, and educator, I am passionate about literacy, education, and community. I have always valued public service as an important way to contribute to my community. Participating on the Perry School Board offers an opportunity for me to volunteer my time to advocate for a positive, engaging, and safe learning environment for every student and teacher. As someone with experience as a parent, teacher, and Perry community member, I bring a compassionate understanding of the different needs and interests of the people within our district.
Joe Tuhn: I was born and raised in Perry. My free time includes volunteering with the Booster Club, coaching various sports, helping with St. Pat's events and fundraisers and much more. I have four kids all in the school system, I'm very involved in our wonderful community and want to be helpful on the school board as well.
What is the most pressing issue facing the school district and how would you address it?
Linda Andorf: Each district faces a number of challenges; some are major and some are minor. I believe that one of our greatest challenges is the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers; as well as retaining substitute teachers. As a smaller district we need to be able to get out ahead of other districts and tell our “story” in such a way that applicants will want to come to work with us and stay as a member of our community. We have a very dedicated and hard-working staff who strive to bring out the best in all of our students.
Jacob Ballard: I believe many schools are facing issues from the proper funding of the programs to laws and regulations altering teaching concepts and material. As I have been pulling financial data for the past 10 years from the department of management website on the Perry Community School District, I found it very interesting that over a 10 year period the Certified Enrollment (the measure of growing school budgets) has only grown by 4.78 students. Based on this finding I foresee the school district to have some challenging budget years ahead and I can use my experience to work with the board and administration to find solutions to this potential problem.
Max Christensen: Funding. Public schools have been drastically underfunded for at least a decade, and this cannot continue. We need to work with other schools from around our state to get the word out and to speak in one big voice that our schools need more money. Once the residents of Iowa realize the real threat to education in our state, I think we will see a change. But many people are unaware, so I believe that building awareness is one of the many jobs of being a school board member. It will be a challenge, but a challenge well worth undertaking.
Mindy Farmer: One of the most pressing issues our district faces is teacher recruitment and retention. The first step in creating a positive environment for teachers is to recognize and respect their expertise, experience, and important contribution to our community. The school board can clearly communicate this in the way members partner and collaborate with administrators and teachers. We also need to consider how we can build a district that inspires teachers to stay by recognizing and rewarding commitment to our community. While pay and benefits are certainly significant, we also need to explore the additional needs of educators.
Joe Tuhn: The hiring and retention of our wonderful teachers. At least one current member of the school board is very driven to make teachers welcome in the district and to show them that our community is a family. I'm the type of person to roll up my sleeves and help out with tasks like these to enhance our town and school district.
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?
Linda Andorf: Senate File 496 is a great challenge for our educators and we must protect both our staff and our students. Whether we like the law, we must follow it and hope that the Department of Ed will be able to provide some guidance. Our best course of action is to continue to press our legislators to listen to their constituents and re-visit the hold on educational curriculum. All voters need to be aware and educated on their legislator’s position regarding public education.
Jacob Ballard: I really believe these can be very political topics. I do believe that the school needs to abide by the laws put in place by the Iowa legislature and governance to ensure a negative spot light is not cast upon the school district or the district be subject to fines for noncompliance. The solution to laws that seem to be one sided or unfair is for people to address the congressional representatives for Perry. Speaking to the representatives is a freedom each voting citizen has so the burden should not be placed just on the administration and the school board to reach out if these laws seem to be viewed as unfair.
Max Christensen: First, I think most would agree that all reading material and instruction needs to be age appropriate. Once we meet that threshold, we then do need to determine the needs of our students and staff while staying within the boundaries of the law as it is written. We must be sure that our policies, materials and instruction reflect the diversity, equity, inclusion and respect that every human deserves. The new law is less than clear in many areas, thus some challenges are present. Our job is to work through those challenges while maintaining the dignity of our staff and students.
Mindy Farmer: The school board must ensure that we have clear policies to help our teachers navigate mandates and demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive, safe environment for students and teachers. While school districts are required to comply with state laws, I would encourage our district to avoid being reactionary or fear-driven. We should continue to prioritize the academic, social, and emotional well-being of all students. This means inviting and prioritizing the professional expertise of educators and following best practices. We must ensure that teachers know we support them in navigating restrictions that may seem vague, restrictive, and even problematic.
Joe Tuhn: Whether I agree or disagree with the new law, I will follow all laws that apply to our school district.
What can the district and board do to manage future student growth?
Linda Andorf: Perry Elementary School deserves great congratulations for being recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. The staff and students in this building have brought this school from a school in need of assistance to one of high achievement. Our middle school and high school are working to bring up their assessment scores as well. We need to continue to push for high expectations in order to continue with an upward growth. We need to continue to be sure that we are providing the best education for every student who walks through our doors, regardless of where they are in their educational journey.
Jacob Ballard: I believe a proper analysis of how funds are spent and to ensure maximizing student educational growth is first and foremost in financial decisions. As a district and board, we must be mindful of putting out a great educational product that will attract families to want to send their children to PCSD. Growth in numbers is so vital for a school district to continue to operate financially and to gain the growth in numbers the programming must be focused on educational excellence and learning. I also believe it is imperative to hire/train teachers to bring class content to the students in a relevant way.
Max Christensen: First, we need to increase growth by making Perry a destination where students want to come to school. Once that happens, we manage that growth by looking at future trends regarding the potential for new businesses in our district, where additional students may be coming from (both in-district or through open enrollment), and then balance that with currently available classroom space, staff, food services, and school buses. If any of those areas are not matching up, we then know where our resources and focus must go. Other schools having already gone through this could be a great resource as well.
Mindy Farmer: Student growth begins with effective leadership at the district level and continues with dedicated partnerships between administrators, teachers, parents, and students. This means nurturing a district culture of collaboration, shared responsibility, and respect. One significant way to improve student growth is to invest in leadership and professional development for administrators and teachers. Our schools should foster an innovative, collaborative environment where teachers are supported in combining trusted strategies with new best practices. Our teachers face many demands and restrictions, but they bring expertise, creativity, and passion that can transform classrooms and the lives of students with community support and resources.
Joe Tuhn: The school district needs to build on the Blue-Ribbon award for the elementary and try to spread that awesomeness to the junior high and high school levels. The award shows that Perry is a great community to raise a family and attend school and this great honor just proves it to other families interested in Perry.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Five candidates are running for Perry School Board in 2023
