Four new candidates are competing for two seats on the Nevada School Board.
Tori Carsrud, Tim Hadley, Emily Schaack and Katie Woodard are on the Nov. 4 election ballot for two at-large seats. The seats are currently filled by Joe A. Anderson, who has served since 2017, and Amici Hayek, who joined the board in 2021. Neither are seeking reelection.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Early voting begins Oct. 15 and lasts through Nov. 3. The last day to submit a request for a mailed ballot is Oct. 20.
Story County voters can find their voting precincts and candidate information on Story County’s website.
The Ames Tribune sent out questionnaires to each of the local candidates. Here are their responses:
Tori Carsrud
Name: Tori L. Carsrud
Age: 48
Office I am seeking: Nevada School Board
Hometown: Nevada, Iowa
Current town of residence: Nevada, Iowa
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education & Deaf Education from Augustana College in Sioux Falls; Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education from Iowa State University; Educational Leadership Prep Program at Iowa State University.
Occupation: Education Program Consultant for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Political experience and civic activities: Former Nevada School Board member 2013-2021
Why are you running for this seat? Why is education important to you, and why would you like to serve it in this capacity?
I am running for the board to be part of a team who has a focus on improving student learning, creating a welcoming and productive work environment for educators and staff, all while being fiscally responsible. As a former school board member, I have firsthand experience in adopting policies and setting budgets that support initiatives with clear goals and data to support implementation.
What top priorities do you have for your district?
1. Hiring and retaining qualified staff in all roles.
2. Encouraging parents to get involved and share their thoughts and ideas for how to make Nevada an even better district!
What are the main concerns you have for your district?
I do not have any major concerns for the district. Nevada Community School District is a welcoming district that strives to meet the needs of all of its students, and I want to be a part of continuing to provide the resources, tools and budget so that the administrators and educators can provide an excellent education for all students who attend.
Tim Hadley
Name: Tim Hadley
Age: 44
Office I am seeking: School Board Director
Hometown: Nevada
Current town of residence: Nevada
Education: High School Diploma
Occupation: Engine Machine Shop Supervisor and Farmer
Political experience and civic activities: City Council candidate in 2015, Nevada FFA Alumni chapter member, City Celebration volunteer, Nevada Truck and Tractor Pull secretary/treasurer 2023-2024, Nevada Athletics donor.
Why are you running for this seat? Why is education important to you, and why would you like to serve it in this capacity?
I’m always asked, “What do you want to change?” I’m not the person that wants to change a lot of things within the district. I’m more interested in preserving the good things Nevada has going on and working with all parties involved to solve the problems that may arise.
What top priorities do you have for your district?
Making sure that teachers and students have what they need to be successful, making sure our funding is spent wisely, and being an effective voice for everyone in the district.
What are the main concerns you have for your district? How do you plan to address them?
I don’t have any major concerns at present, but I want to make sure that any concern anyone may have, no matter how minor, is listened to and given the attention it needs.
Emily Schaack
Name: Emily Schaack
Age: Not answered
Office I am seeking: School Board
Hometown: Not answered
Current town of residence: Nevada
Education: Bachelors Degree, University of Northern Iowa
Occupation: Executive Director, Main Street Nevada
Political experience and civic activities: Civic activities include Nevada Foundation board member, Nevada Community Resource Center board member, School Improvement Advisory Committee member, Rotary Club.
Why are you running for this seat? Why is education important to you, and why would you like to serve it in this capacity?
I have worked in our school district in three different roles and understand what education looks like today versus several decades ago. This experience helps me understand how student behaviors and education standards have changed and the frustrations teachers and staff are facing. It is important to me that schools have the resources necessary to ensure educators can focus on curriculum to guarantee student learning. High school graduates have many options and we need to provide the best education and opportunities to students to prepare them to be capable and successful in any arena they decide to pursue upon graduation.
What top priorities do you have for your district?
My top priorities for our school system are continued assistance resources for students, both physically and academically. Students today have lots of different needs to ensure their capacity for learning and it’s important we can meet those needs. I also prioritize providing an array of extracurricular programs to engage students in the areas they are passionate about and give them new skills and deeper learning in those areas. Not all students thrive in a classroom, but may excel in other places.
What are the main concerns you have for your district? How do you plan to address them?
My biggest concern for our district is the ability to retain great staff. As student behavior changes and state and federal education demands change, staff have a lot of stressors. I want to see NCSD continue to find ways to ensure staff can stay motivated, engaged and enjoy their careers, by providing them with resources and tools to do so.
Katie Woodard
Name: Katie Woodard
Age: 39
Office I am seeking: Nevada School Board
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Current town of residence: Nevada, Iowa
Education: Bachelor – Animal Science; Masters – Veterinary Preventive Medicine; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Occupation: Clinical Assistant Professor, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Political experience and civic activities: Vice president Nevada Community Garden; City of Nevada Historical Preservation Committee; Nevada Leadership graduate
Why are you running for this seat? Why is education important to you, and why would you like to serve it in this capacity?
I’m running because I believe every student deserves the best education to reach their goals. As a veterinarian with years of experience working at the university level and as a parent of three students in the Nevada School District, I’ve seen firsthand how education shapes futures.
Education is important to me because it’s the foundation for opportunity; whether a student’s path leads to college, the workforce or another calling. Serving on the school board is an opportunity to bring my experience and my perspective to help ensure our schools provide the resources, support and learning environment that prepare all students for success.
What top priorities do you have for your district?
My top priorities focus on setting every student up for success while supporting the people who make that possible.
I want to ensure that teachers, parents, and students have the resources and tools they need. When everyone can focus on their role, teaching, learning, or supporting, we create classrooms where students thrive.
I believe in strengthening the partnership between schools, families, and the community. By working together, we can find the best opportunities for our children and keep everyone engaged in the learning process.
I’m committed to preparing students for life after graduation, whether that’s college, a skilled trade, or entering the workforce.
What are the main concerns you have for your district? How do you plan to address them?
I am a believer in strong communication and collaboration between the school board, parents, teachers, and the community. When families feel heard and teachers feel supported, we create an environment where students can thrive. I plan to focus on listening, transparency and teamwork. Through open lines of communication with the community, the school board can continue to make thoughtful, informed decisions that benefit our students.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: We asked Nevada School Board candidates questions and they answered. Here’s what they said
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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