Lots of great information was presented at the meeting. From local business sponsorship opportunities to interim superintendent Dr. Blum's professional goals, the livestream is the best way to stay informed on what's happening behind the scenes at Dallas Center - Grimes CSD.

The past two months there has been one repeated agenda item, the upcoming Iowa Association of School Boards annual conference. Dr. Blum spent a lot of time in the August 28th and September 26th meetings encouraging board members to sign up for this professional learning opportunity.

School board members should engage in professional learning and development

This is an issue I campaigned for during the special election in April. School board members should engage in professional learning and development. As a board member it isn't something that is required. As an educator professional learning is required. Our DCG teachers completed four pre-service professional development days prior to the start of the school year. New teachers to the district have to complete even more. Each month our staff members complete two half days and one full day of professional learning. Engaging in professional learning is how teacher teams learn to overcome challenges and meet the diverse needs of the populations they serve.

Dr. Blum talked about how our students, and district, need an advocate

Dr. Blum talked at length about the need to advocate at the state level on behalf of our Dallas Center - Grimes CSD. School districts need board members that can advocate on behalf of their districts at the state level. That need has never been greater when considering that we are at a stagnate enrollment rate with few building permits being processed within the school district. Our state government isn't increasing funding to our public schools. Dr. Blum talked about how our students, and district, need an advocate.

I am an advocate

I am an advocate. I advocate for teachers, students and people with disabilities. I've worked with officials at the Iowa Department of Transportation to influence them to add height adjustable adult size changing tables in rest areas around the state. This advocacy has resulted in the Iowa Department of Transportation receiving national recognition for their efforts.

As a member of ChildServe's Family Advisory Council I've advocated at the federal level. I represented the Iowa Pediatric Collaborative at Speak Now for Kids and the Children's Hospital Association Family Advocacy Day. I met with Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst to advocate for Medicaid reimbursement rates. I met with all four Iowa Congressional Representatives to advocate for parity of payment for Medicaid services provided via Telehealth.

Most recently, my advocacy has been located here in City of Grimes, Iowa where I've advocated with the Polk County Sheriff's Office for the addition of a sensory friendly time at the upcoming Fall Festival and Candy Crawl. I've worked with the both Grimes Parks and Recreation and the Grimes Public Library. The new splash pad and the new public library will contain height adjustable adult size changing tables. These additions will allow children and adults with disabilities to engage in our community by providing safe, private and dignified changing spaces.

I'm prepared to advocate on behalf of our Dallas Center - Grimes CSD students and staff. I believe in advocacy. It is something I do everyday. I'd be honored to earn your vote and advocate on behalf of our teachers, students and families as a school board director in District 3.

Please vote #nbcfordcg on November 7, 2023.