Education
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Diversity question draws mixed response from Johnston School Board Candidates
The demographics of the Johnston School District are becoming more diverse, which is why the district has tried to place an increased emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Part of the district’s mission statement is to “commit all district resources to guide the learning of all students to graduate as confident learners with…
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Combating teacher burnout in Ankeny schools a priority for Shelly Northway
Shelly Northway sees exciting possibilities for the Ankeny Community School District, but she knows it needs strong, focused leadership to keep going on that path. That’s why Northway is running for one of the five available positions on the Ankeny School Board. She doesn’t think the current board has been transparent enough about its decision-making,…
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Johnston students’ well-being top issue for Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher still has work to do, which is why she is running for a second term on the Johnston School Board. The 50-year-old mother of three Johnston High School graduates ran unsuccessfully for a board position in 2017 before she won a seat in 2019. The landscape around school board and school board races…
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State’s largest vouchers, book ban backers endorse in Johnston School Board race
One of the most powerful social conservative lobbying groups in Iowa is getting involved in school board races, and the Johnston School District has emerged as one of its top targets. The Family Leader recently announced it endorsed conservative Johnston School Board candidates Josh Nelson, Lori Stiles, Charles Steele, and Michelle Veach. The organization plans…
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Stakes are high in Johnston School Board elections
With four of its seven seats up for election, this year’s Nov. 7 school board race in Johnston will determine the balance of the board and the district’s overall priorities until 2025. Most importantly, it will decide whether a group of right-wing officials establish full control of the district and continue the culture war push…
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Six districts where right-wing candidates are bringing culture war to school board
National politics set the tone for a fair amount of school board races in Iowa two years ago, and this year promises more of the same. The 2023 Iowa Legislative session saw Iowa Republicans pass a number of measures aimed at undermining and defunding public schools. Now, many right-wing candidates are running for their local…
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How Jason Arnold would improve Johnston schools
Johnston School Board Candidate Jason Arnold is a father of two students in the district and wants the schools to work for them and all the students in them. He has plans for how to make that happen too. Arnold wants to hire a director for diversity, equity and, inclusion (DEI), conduct an audit of…
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Iowans get financial relief as Biden cancels more student debt
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced it was providing student debt relief to 125,000 Americans, including individuals who’ve worked in public service or nonprofit positions, those who’ve been making payments for decades, and those with permanent disabilities. This round of debt relief totals $9 billion and will eliminate the debt of 53,000 who’ve participated in…
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Tim Scott says kids need more exposure to conservatism
While many Republicans across the country have spent the last few years arguing that public schools are being used to indoctrinate kids into leftist viewpoints and that politics should kept out of schools, US Sen. Tim Scott suggests conservatives should get their own political philosophies into those spaces. “Protecting our kids and encouraging our kids…
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How Ashley Hinson made her kids’ school public enemy Number One
The students and staff of the Linn-Mar School District are once again being used as a political punching bag by Republicans thanks to a local issue elevated to the national stage by Rep. Ashley Hinson. Hinson, whose two sons attend school in the district, has actively used her office and power to shine a negative…
