2023 NCSD School Board Candidates

Name of Candidate:  Kate Baldwin

Address:  4250 R57 Highway, Norwalk, IA

Link to any candidate website information (i.e. Facebook, twitter, or other social media if available):  N/A

Tell us about yourself, your family, occupation, and educational background.

I am lucky to be married to my best friend, Bob Baldwin.  I have one daughter, Justine and her husband Tuan Le, who live in Iowa City.  I worked for 33 years as a school business manager, retiring in 2022.  Prior to that I worked at two banks and was a bookkeeper for a small lumberyard corporation.  I grew up in rural Iowa County and graduated high school from my hometown school, English Valleys.  I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  In 1992 I decided to further my education and enrolled at Iowa State University, graduating in 1993 with a master’s degree in educational administration.

Please list any previous service on a school board or school committees.

I was elected to serve two terms as a school board director for the English Valleys Community School District (1995 and 1997); I resigned in 1999 to accept a job as a school administrator for Keokuk Community School District, Keokuk, IA.

Why are you running for the School Board?

Serving on the school board is an honored community service.   We moved to the Norwalk community in 2002 and made it our home.  Norwalk Schools was the primary reason we selected Norwalk as our permanent home. I care deeply about the school district (students, staff and parents).  I respect the educational values the district strives to maintain and support the collaborative leadership the district has established.  These leadership qualities elevated the district to a revered Iowa K-12 school.  I want to use my knowledge, talents, and passions to honor these leadership qualities and further the success of the school district.

What qualifications do you believe make you a viable candidate?

I was raised to understand education, which leads to knowledge, is the key to achieving one’s life goals.  Public schools are the great equalizer in our society, and I want to continue my support of this valuable institution.  I have had a long career working with Iowa schools. I have served as a school business administrator in three Iowa schools, as well as working 3 years as a consultant for several other Iowa schools.  I have participated in the leadership of the K-12 system from a front-row seat.  I also understand the need to evaluate needs, establish priorities and commit to long-term planning.  I practice collaborative leadership that will strive to engage all stakeholders in the decision-making process for the progress of Norwalk Schools.

Do you have any specific goals for the district? If so, what are they?

I would recommend the district and administration explore more joint school board meetings with neighboring schools, especially Warren County schools.  Expanding our scope of knowledge and building relationships opens opportunities for sharing, learning new practices and creating alliances with other school districts.  I would also encourage the district host community symposiums and invite expert speakers to discuss current challenges that our students, parents and schools are experiencing. The goal would be to provide parents and staff with practical tools to improve the culture of our schools and the lives of our students.  These community-school engagement sessions will also strengthen the cooperative bond between our school district and parents.

Have you been active in other community projects? If yes, please describe. 

As a member of the Norwalk United Methodist Church, I have serviced as the Finance Committee Chair, Paster-Parish Relations Committee, Missions Committee, and a building project exploration committee.  I have worked with youth during vacation Bible school and mission projects.  In another community I served on the local school foundation board and a local committee that hosted an annual community celebration.  Since moving to Norwalk, most of my energies have been focused on supporting the school district within the community.

Name of Candidate:  Emily Blom

Address: 325 Pine Avenue, Norwalk, Iowa 50211

Link to any candidate website information (i.e. Facebook, twitter, or other social media if available): N/A

Tell us about yourself, your family, occupation, and educational background.

I grew up just south of Norwalk in the country and have been blessed to be a part of this community and hold a 50211-zip code my whole life. I graduated from Martensdale St. Mary’s High School in 2002 and followed my passion of Interior Design and Fashion Design into College. I married my wonderful husband in 2009 and eventually we added two wonderful children into the picture. My son is currently a 5^th grader at Lakewood and my daughter is in 3^rd grade at Orchard Hills. I currently own my own Interior Design business and over the years my business has flourished, thanks to the repeat business of many Norwalk residents and surrounding communities. Throughout all this we have accumulated two dogs, a horse, and two cute bunnies! I suppose you could also say I have a passion for animals!

Please list any previous service on a school board or school committees.

Ever since our two children began school here in Norwalk, I have been involved with many district committees and groups. I’m a current PTO member and volunteer at many of the PTO events at the schools. My passion is Teacher Appreciation Week. I really put a lot of effort into this event so the teachers can see how much we truly support them and appreciate their daily duties. It’s a fun and creative week!

I also have served on the SYACC Committee for Oviatt Elementary. Our focus there is to make each school functional, run smoothly, listen to teacher feedback, needs, and what is best for our smallest Warriors.

The past two years I have been asked to speak at the middle school for Career Day. I of course speak about my line of work but the biggest thing I emphasize to the students is using the skills they have been given to pursue their career path and do something they enjoy.

Throughout my volunteer work I have been able to work side by side with the Norwalk School District Teachers and Staff. This has given me insight into what can be done to make every child, every teacher, and every building amazing.

Why are you running for the School Board?

My slogan for this campaign is “BORN TO LEAD”. I think those few words explain a lot about me. With my industrious attitude and honest personality, I can bring so many important topics to the table and execute them. With my volunteer work throughout the years at the different schools, I am confident that parents, teachers, and staff will feel comfortable coming to me with any concern or innovations they may have to make this District the best in the state.

I am running for the School Board because this community needs a leader and not a follower. I will always be honest and have a strong voice for the community I will be serving. I understand this elected position is not always easy at times but I’m willing to take this task on because I know I have the skills for the job that stands before me.

What qualifications do you believe make you a viable candidate?

If someone were to ask me what a viable candidate for a school board looks like here is what I would say. A person who is knowledgeable of the communities past, present, and future. A person willing to go out on a limb to do what’s the best for everyone. Someone who is strong, honest, and who leads. A person who has experienced having children currently in the district or previously. I feel I can check off all the qualifications I listed above.

Do you have any specific goals for the district? If so, what are they?

My biggest goal for this district is to be able to have a style of teaching unique to each student. We all move at different paces. Some are ahead and some are behind, but who is to say what pace each student should learn at. If we can focus on a teaching style that works best for each individual, and how the student can easily retain what they are learning, the district can produce happy kids. If a student feels confident in what they are learning, school will be a much more pleasing place to be. In the long run this will lead to better attendance, less bullying, positive attitudes, confidence, good self-esteem and great teacher and student relationships.

I understand we cannot have a teacher designated to each student, and the district is growing by the minute.  The classroom sizes are getting bigger and less staff to accommodate everybody. We need to step back and look at what our priorities are. What can we eliminate or add that will achieve this goal? This priority is on the top of my list!

Have you been active in other community projects? If yes, please describe. 

Community projects are extremely important to me. I have served previously on my church council. We have done many great things through my congregation. We work closely with the schools making sure the students’ needs are met. Our church has a yearly Christmas drive and donates presents to children enrolled in the program. I have helped with setting up for blood drives in our church basement, Highway 28 ditch cleanup, lunch in the park, and vacation bible school offered to all. I have also worked with local Cemetery boards to help clean and straighten grave markers that have been forgotten over time. Again, I like to use my skills to help others!

Name of Candidate:  Don Cook

Address: 6550 G24 HWY, Norwalk, IA 50211

Link to any candidate website information (i.e. Facebook, twitter, or other social media if available): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551818375782&mibextid=ZbWKwL

Tell us about yourself, your family, occupation, and educational background.

My wife Julie and I moved to Norwalk in 2010 with our five children, who all graduated from Norwalk High School.  I work for Oxbo International as the Global Market Manager for seed corn production equipment.  Previously I worked at Pioneer Hi-Bred International for 23 years in various roles including Agronomist, Business Improvement Manager, and Global Operations strategy.  I earned my MS in Plant Breeding and Genetics, and BS in Agronomy from Utah State University.

Please list any previous service on a school board or school committees.

None

Why are you running for the School Board?

1. Promote diverse quality learning opportunities for all students to enable future career success.
2. Ensure board decisions support the community values, beliefs, and priorities through transparency, engagement, and communication with stakeholders (Parents, Students, Staff)
3. Support strategic planning for balanced growth and fiscal accountability.

What qualifications do you believe make you a viable candidate?

I have a strong business background having managed large capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, strategic planning and execution, and global experience building relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders.

Do you have any specific goals for the district? If so, what are they?

1. Engage with students, parents and staff to assess needs and develop strategies to guide board policy and decisions.
2. Improve communication with community members and access to school board meetings through technology.

Have you been active in other community projects? If yes, please describe. 

No

Name of Candidate: Dan Doerfler

Address: 4632 SE Grosbeak Pt, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Link to any candidate website information (i.e. Facebook, twitter, or other social media if available): N/A

Tell us about yourself, your family, occupation, and educational background.

My name is Dan Doerfler, and I am excited to have the opportunity to run for the Norwalk School Board and serve our community.  My family and I live in the Fox Valley neighborhood.

I have been married to my wife Jennifer for 14 years, and we specifically moved to the Norwalk district in 2017 because of the excellent schools and thriving community.  We have 4 children in the district. I grew up in Wheaton, IL, and lived that area until I met my wife and we moved to Iowa in 2012 to be closer to her family, and to raise our family in a very safe and family-oriented community.

I am a licensed civil/structural engineer and work for Calhoun-Burns & Associates, Inc. in West Des Moines as a bridge designer and inspector.  Previously I was the county engineer for Decatur County in southern Iowa.  I attended Purdue University, graduating in 2005 with a degree in Construction Engineering.  I pride myself on having attended public schools for my entire academic career, and believe strongly in the value of a public school education.

Please list any previous service on a school board or school committees.

I served on the School Calendar SIAC in 2022/23.

Why are you running for the School Board?

I am running for the School Board because our schools need engaged and professional community members to volunteer their time and talents to ensure that the excellent quality of education Norwalk provides continues into the future.  I feel that the district is at a critical point of growth in that a few errant decisions now could have a ripple effect far into the future due to the level of growth that our community is experiencing.  I feel that my professional background has given me tools to help assess, plan, and implement systems that will be sustainable.

I also have 4 children in the district, and want to give back to the institutions that are helping to shape them into intelligent, productive, and good people.  I was raised with the understanding that when you get to a point in your life that have the capacity to give back to your community you do so.  Serving on the School Board is my way of doing that.

Another issue I see is that finding highly qualified and passionate teachers and staff is becoming extremely difficult.  I would like to work with the district administration to develop policies and procedures to hire and retain excellent teachers.  I recognize that one of the main reasons Norwalk has such a high level of academic excellence is because we have excellent teachers.  Having policies that reflect that is vital.

Lastly, there are many issue in our state and nationally that have the potential to distract from our main goal of providing a safe and highly effective educational experience for our children.  These issues should be addressed, but ultimately we as a community cannot let them become the main focus of our growing community.

What qualifications do you believe make you a viable candidate?

Norwalk is at a critical point of growth right now, and we need a variety of educated and professional board members to help us lay strong foundations for our school district as the community continues to grow.  I feel that my experience lends itself to this in two important ways:

1. I have worked in and with government for my entire career. I understand how government institutions operate, and how to get things done properly within that kind of system.
2. My professional background will lend itself to planning and implementing projects and programs as the district grows in the coming years. I understand it takes a strong board to set policies and budgets that will enable the district staff to implement a highly successful and sustainable program that will ensure that the high quality of education our children receive today continues for future generations of children.

Additionally, I enjoy engaging with other community members, and hearing what they have to say.  I pride myself on being an excellent listener, and on finding ways to reconcile differences of opinions.  The most important job a board member has is working with both the public and the district staff to ensure that we are instituting policies that promote success for all our students.

Lastly, if elected, I will be a highly active participant on the board, giving it the fullness of my time and talents.  I look forward to serving on the Board and various sub-committees.

Do you have any specific goals for the district? If so, what are they?

I have two goals for the district:

1. To enact and update a strategic plan that addresses the short and long-term growth of the school district. I do not want to see us playing “catch up” as our community continues to see such explosive growth.
2. To work with the district administration, teachers, and staff to set policies that focus on providing continued academic and extracurricular excellence for our children, and that also recognizes that is not possible without excellent educators.

Have you been active in other community projects? If yes, please describe. 

I have been a little league coach for all of my children’s various sports teams.

I was the Cub Master for Norwalk Cubscout pack 103 for 3 years, and a den leader for 5 years.

I am an ordained minister in the Community of Christ church.

I assist my wife with PTO activities regularly.

Professionally, I have inspected and been involved in bridge projects in both Norwalk, Warren County, and other nearby communities.

Name of Candidate: Jacob Heuser

Address: 2008 Crabapple Drive, Norwalk, IA 50211

Link to any candidate website information (i.e. Facebook, twitter, or other social media if available): Jacob Heuser | LinkedIn

Tell us about yourself, your family, occupation, and educational background.

My 20-plus year career has been dedicated to working on programs to advance the way of life and opportunities for others, mostly in higher education. Two years ago, my wife Lea Ann and I, moved to Norwalk from central Illinois with our three children – ages 6, 11, and 13. While in Illinois, I served as the Vice President for Advancement at Bradley University, engaging community members and alumni, raising money for programs and new facilities, and serving on the University leadership team. In moving to Iowa, I joined UnityPoint Health as Vice President for System Philanthropy, providing fundraising and community engagement leadership across Iowa, western Illinois, and southern Wisconsin. I grew up in a small town in southwest Missouri with a mother who was a school teacher and father who served on our local school board. I graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management.

Please list any previous service on a school board or school committees.

I have not served on a K-12 school board. While at Bradley University, I spent seven years working directly with the Board of Trustees and the last five years overseeing the work of our Governance and Nominating Committee. I was also a voting member of the University Senate.

Why are you running for the School Board?

Having spent more than 17 years working in higher education, with a mother who was a teacher, and a father who served on our local school board, the impact of education and its extracurricular programs have played a big role in my life. When we moved to Norwalk 2 years ago, a major part of our decision was the quality of the school district. The support we have received, and our children experienced from Norwalk teachers and administrators, made a tough situation for them so much easier. I feel a sense of responsibility to say thank you to the Norwalk School District and leverage my professional background to support and advance our schools.

What qualifications do you believe make you a viable candidate?

During my professional career, I have worked extensively on programs related to academic preparedness, program evaluation and assessment, facilities planning and development, athletics program support, resource planning, and understanding barriers of success for all students. I oversaw strategic planning and implementation and worked to engage internal and external partners to improve outcomes.

Do you have any specific goals for the district? If so, what are they?

As the population supported by our school district continues to grow, I would like to draw on my background to enhance our master facilities plan and support a best-in-class teacher recruitment and retention strategy.

Have you been active in other community projects? If yes, please describe. 

Not in any official capacity.

Name of Candidate: Michelle Kelly

Address: 1308 Richard George Drive Norwalk, Iowa 50211

Link to any candidate website information (i.e. Facebook, twitter, or other social media if available):

 Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MEKELLY71

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-e-kelly/

Tell us about yourself, your family, occupation, and educational background.

I graduated from Norwalk High School and have lived in the school district for over 40 years.  My husband Tim and I have two daughters; Tim works for a civil engineering company, Allison graduates in December with a degree in Elementary Education, and Rachael is pursuing a degree in Human Physiology.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Business with a minor in Accounting from Upper Iowa University.  I am working as an Accounting Manager with a carwash provider.

Please list any previous service on a school board or school committees.

I am completing my first term as a Director of the Norwalk School Board and have served as the Treasurer for Serendipity Preschool since 2007.

Why are you running for the School Board?

I want to continue to support the Norwalk Students, Staff and Community.

What qualifications do you believe make you a viable candidate?

My current experience serving on the Norwalk School Board and my background in insurance, construction, architecture, and finance provide a well-rounded knowledge to help the district with its successes and challenges.

Do you have any specific goals for the district? If so, what are they?

Have you been active in other community projects? If yes, please describe.