Gayla Young says she would bring several unique insights to the Fort Madison School Board if she is elected on Sept. 10.
She is one of seven candidates to file for three open seats.
Young says, as a resident of Denmark, she would provide a much needed rural perspective to the board.
She has also been a teacher in the Danville School District for about twenty years, so she is able to see what is going on inside the classroom on a daily basis.
Young says that would come in handy when Fort Madison considers new programs.
"Unless you understand what is going on behind the program," says Young, "it may not be best suited for the students. I think that expertise as an educator would help."
Young says if elected, she would advocate for more open houses or special events to encourage parental involvement and participation.
She says that could be a science night or a history night, where hands-on interaction is available.
Young would also push for a preschool program and for the district to finish the remaining work at the new middle school as soon as possible.
She says she is also a numbers person when it comes to test scores and graduation rates, "but then I like to go beyond the numbers and see why it is happening that way."
Young believes the Fort Madison School District should encourage high school students to volunteer in the community, but she does not believe it should be mandatory due to liability issues.
