September 10th is an important day for the Hudson Community School District. On that day we will elect new members to the Board of Directors. Long time Directors Julie Marsch and Jeff Cory have decided not seek re-election while Jerry Griffith, incumbent and current Board President will be running for a new term. Joining Jerry on the ballot are Dave Ball, Jason Carter, Liz Folladori, and Traci Trunck. All have filed paperwork for the election and we thought it would be a good idea for you to learn a little more about each candidate. You will be impressed with the passion they share for education and the enthusiasm they have for board service. To help you learn more about our candidates, I posed a few general questions to each of them.
Jerry Griffith, Incumbent Board President, Candidate for School Board
Where did you grow up, go to school, college (degrees earned), and where do you work?
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| Jerry Griffith |
Tell us about your family.
Susan and I have been happily married for 31 years. Our two sons, Ian and Zach, are graduates of Hudson Schools, currently attending the University of Northern Iowa and University of Wisconsin respectively, and Olivia is a junior at Hudson High School.
What drew you to Board service?
I have served as a Hudson Community Schools school board member for the past seven years, the past two as president. My goal seven years ago was to have a better understanding of what was happening at our schools and to have a positive impact on the education for all of our students. Today, that continues to be my goal.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Iowa?
There are many challenges
facing education in Iowa, but if I must pick one, it would be raising the
academic progress performance of Iowa students to a preeminent position.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Hudson?
We must continue to meet
the challenge of providing a comprehensive offering of academic courses and
activities to meet the needs of all of our students while remaining fiscally
responsible.
What do you hope to accomplish by serving on the Board?
I would like Hudson to
come to mind first when people think of a vibrant, thriving mid-sized
school. We have exceptional students, outstanding faculty and staff and a
forward thinking administration. I plan to work cooperatively with fellow
school board members, administration, faculty, staff, and other
stakeholders in the community to continue building on the positive momentum we
have at Hudson Schools.
Where did you grow up, go to school, college (degrees earned), and where do you work?
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| Dave Ball |
I Grew up in Dubuque, Iowa where I graduated from Wahlert Catholic High School. After graduation I served as an M.P. in the U.S Army. I attended Kirkwood Community College and earned an Associate of Arts degree, Mount Mercy University and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Socioloyg/Political Science, and Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Public Policy. I am a Certified Prevention Specialist for Drug and Alcohol Awareness and a certified ALICE Instructor (Critical Incident Training). I am currently working at Hawkeye Commnity College as the Director of Admisssions, Recruitment, and Student Life. Prior to that I worked at Kirkwood Community College for eleven years as the Associate Director of Admissions and Student Life.
Tell us about your family.
I am married to Lisa Bell and have three adult children. Ryan is a consultant for the Humana Insurance Corporation, Emily is a graphic artist for RuffaloCody, and Drew is a third year law student at the University of St. Thomas in Miami, Florida.
What drew you to Board service?
I served on a school board for several years at a
school district much the same size as Hudson. I enjoyed the experience and
believe my children thrived in an educational setting that allows for active
and engaging participation inside and outside the classroom. My background in
community college administration coupled with a degree in education will
provide the District with a unique insight and point of view.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Iowa?
One of the most obvious in my mind is an equitable funding
formula for rural schools such as Hudson. Many schools the size of Hudson are a
viable source of culture for the community at large as well as students that choose to live and thrive in a town the
size of Hudson. Schools the size of Hudson offer many opportunities that are unique
and we need to find ways to preserve that uniqueness
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Hudson?
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Hudson?
In the short term, how to preserve classrooms with
the most efficient students to teacher ratio in the face of overall declining
numbers.
What do you hope to accomplish by serving on the Board?
What do you hope to accomplish by serving on the Board?
I hope to offer an objective and unique point of
view. I have insight into how well students are prepared for higher education
beyond high school, what affects their success at the next level and what we
can do as a school board to prepare them for the journey beyond their K-12
educational experience.
Traci Trunck, Candidate for School Board
Where did you grow up, go to school, college (degrees earned), and
where do you work?
I grew up in Reinbeck, Iowa; graduating from
Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School. My
maiden name is Traci Thede. I went to
college at the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with a Degree in
Business Management with an emphasis in Human Resources. I started working at John Deere in the
student program my freshman year of college and have worked for John Deere for
15 years. My current position is the Manager
of Cost Management, Tractor Platform for the Agriculture & Turf
Division. I enjoy working for John
Deere and especially enjoy having a global team in which I am constantly
exposed to other cultures and global experiences.
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| Traci Trunk |
Tell
us about your family.
I am married to Charlie and have
two children. Charlie and I have been
married for almost 13 years. We live out
in the country, north of Hudson, on Butterfield Road. Charlie is self employed as a contractor and
enjoys building houses, working on anything home improvement related and in his
spare time, golfing. I have enjoyed
volunteering in the Hudson classrooms teaching Junior Achievement, coaching
Hudson summer softball and in my spare time spending time with my family,
friends and the occasional golf game. Elyse
is 9 years old and will be in 4th grade this year and Ansley is 6
years old and will be in 1st grade this year. We moved to Hudson in 2007, just in time for
Elyse to start Kindergarten at Hudson Elementary. Both girls enjoy playing in the Hudson summer
softball league, learning to play piano and look forward to school starting
again.
What drew you to
board service?
My father, Melvin Thede, was a very active member of the
Reinbeck community and was on the G-R School board for many years. He modeled to our family the importance of
getting involved and trying to make a difference in your community. I have had an interest since moving to Hudson
of getting better integrated into the community and school system. Since I am a working mom, I am not able to
volunteer as much during the day in the girls’ classrooms but I would like to
be able to be connected to their learning and education.
What do you believe
is the greatest challenge facing education in Iowa and Hudson Schools?
Budgets, Technology & Learning Evaluation. Of course school budgets always come to the
top of my mind when thinking about challenges in Iowa’s schools. How do we make the most with the budgets we
have and being good stewards of those resources. Technology in the classroom; understanding
what is needed, how we can leverage it to help children learn and how to
position children to be successful post-graduation. Evaluation of learning; how to measure and
make sure every child is making forward progress in learning and skill
mastery.
What
do you hope to accomplish by serving on the Board?
I hope to be able to make
a positive influence on the Hudson School district by using my business knowledge
and experience to help keep the school district competitive and well positioned
for the future needs of our children. Current school board
members have children of high school age so I feel as though this population is
well represented. Since my children are
younger, I hope to be able to bring a perspective to the school board
representing the elementary school aged children.
Jason Carter, Candidate for School Board
Where did you grow up, go to school, college (degrees earned), and where do you work?
As the son of a corporate executive for multiple
companies, my family, including 4 younger sisters, moved around a lot. I
was born in California, lived in Austin, TX; Boston, MA; and
Mobile, AL. I attended/graduated from private high schools in
Mobile, AL before moving to Memphis, TN. In 2000 I graduated from the
University of Memphis with a Bachelor's degree in Communications.
While in college, I was a pitcher on the baseball team. Upon graduation and
marriage to my wife Danielle, I got my first job in TV at the ABC
affiliate in Biloxi, MS. I was a sports reporter before moving to
news. Our next stop was Jackson, covering capitol
politics, local news and an international corporate scandal
(Worldcom). I also hosted a statewide football FM radio
show. After a couple of years, we moved to Memphis where I was a news reporter,
investigative reporter, and Anchor. More than 5 years ago, my wife and I
decided to raise our family in Hudson for great schools, great
community, and great opportunities. I stepped out of TV
for several years to work in the family business as an Executive Corporate
Recruiter. However, my calling as a journalist called me back.
First as weekend anchor at CBS 2/Fox 28 and now as the the morning anchor
at KWWL. My job at KWWL is perfect because I'm home when my kids get
home from school.
I grew up in Waterloo attending
Kingsley Elementary School through my 4th grade year. My family then moved
to Broomfield, CO ( located between Boulder and Denver). I graduated in
1977, from Broomfield High School and then attended Colorado State University
in Ft. Collins, CO. I began my work career as a commodity broker, and until our
department was dissolved at the end of the 2011-2012 school year, I was
employed by Area Education Agency 267 for 11 years assigned to Hudson
Elementary School.
Tell us about your family.
My husband, Dan Folladori, and I moved to Hudson 22 years ago from Aurora, CO. My parents, Don and Marilyn Shipanik, were already established here owning The Hudson House restaurant, so it was a very easy transition for us. Dan, a CPA, started his accounting practice in Cedar Falls shortly after we arrived. We have lived on the corner of 1st and Jefferson 22 years next month. It has been a wonderful neighborhood to raise our three children. Lauren, our oldest and a 2008 Hudson graduate, is a 5th grade teacher in the Carlisle school district. Ben, class of 2009, did his undergrad at Wartburg College in Waverly and is just getting ready to begin his first year of law school at Drake University. Lastly, there is Sam, class of 2012. He is getting ready for his sophomore year at UNI majoring in Business and Finance.
What drew you to Board service?
Since arriving in Hudson, I have always tried to stay connected to our community and give a little something back. It started with the Chamber of Commerce and some of my neighbors pulling together on the "Christmas Tree, Unite and Light" campaign. From there, I taught Sunday School for six years, was Lauren's Daisy and Brownie troop leader, and Tiger and Wolf Pack troop leader for both Ben and Sam's scouting groups. I co-coached Ben and Sam's soccer teams in their younger years, was Hudson High School's cheerleading coach for five years and served on the first PTO board followed by two terms as president, three years as vice-president and two years as treasurer. I happened to be on the board when we passed the funding for the sign in front of the elementary school, helped build the new playground and for many years organized a small group who would bring racks and clippers to clean up the front of our elementary building right before school began. I was part of the PTO group who, before this last re-do, spent spring break painting the commons, changing it from it's mono color to our proud Pirate colors. Lastly, I was one of the parents who was asked during the first, Every 15 Minutes, to stay with the high school students the evening of the event.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Iowa?
First I believe "No Child Left Behind" has done more of a disservice to Iowa's children then any sort of support. Secondly, we can't continue to cut funding and still expect the nation to look toward Iowa as a leader in education. Numerous hard choices need to be made in Des Moines. If our state leaders want Iowa to continue to stand out educationally then doing it on a wish and a prayer is not going to get us there.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Hudson?
I don't feel that we have our students prepared as well as they could be for college or other career choices they pursue. We need a full time guidance councilor who can take the time needed to help educate and ready our students for life after high school.
What do you hope to accomplish by serving on the Board?
I would like to see parents and faculty feel more comfortable and positive with approaching the board. Not only the more ideas the better, but I so often hear, "I'm not happy with ______, but going to the board won't do any good" or "If I go to the board with this, they will just take it out on my child." I would feel I had accomplished something if by the end of my term, those phrases were no longer heard. By serving on the board, I would continue to strive for providing the best education and positive opportunities for each and every student at Hudson Community Schools.
Jason Carter, Candidate for School Board
Where did you grow up, go to school, college (degrees earned), and where do you work?
 |
| Jason Carter |
Tell us about your family.
My wife Daniellle and I have 3
children: Laurel Grace (9) will be a 4th grader at
Hudson Elementary, Jackson (7) will be a 2nd grader at
Hudson Elementary, and Knox Grey (3), enters his first year at Humpty
Dumpty this year.
What drew you to board service?
My children are the most important thing in my
life. Their success and future are my main focus. Hudson boasts a
100% graduation rate, 1 to 1 technology this coming year in High school, and
incredibly talented teachers; however, we must be more. Our school system must
be the example across the state, region and country. As a smaller district, we
can maneuver and try things that can enhance our children's learning
experience. I want to be part of the dialogue, the plan, and the installation
of new and unique ideas.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Iowa?
I think too many school districts across the
state focus on preparing students for standardized tests and not learning. I
do not fault our school district for this. Standardized tests are
important benchmarks but they can not be the end all be all. We need students
who can learn facts and apply them, not just fill in the blanks. This is true
for students who excel in the classroom and those that need additional help.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Hudson?
Applying curriculum to real life. While I do not think this is
unique to Hudson, I want it to be a priority for the school district.
Technology enhancements are only useful if they aid and improve the
classroom/homework experience. Great teachers cannot do it by themselves but
need parental involvement and professional partnerships to help connect the
dots of curriculum and real life. Also we need to maintain small classroom
sizes so teachers can be attentive and effective. It's also important to
keep students involved. Balancing sports and other extra
curriculur activities are important character-building lessons for
students to learn time management and team work lessons. We need to be on
the cutting edge of technology, maintain the strongest teachers in the state,
and motivate kids to be involved, so our students will learn and better themselves their
whole lives.
What do you hope to accomplish by serving on the Board?
Three things:
- Increase the number of professional partnerships in order to illustrate education in the classroom's connection to real life.
- Enhance and/or develop a female student leadership program that breaks down glass ceilings for female achievement. (Why? Iowa and MISSISSIPPPI are the only states without a female Congresswoman, Senator, or Governor ever. Iowa ranks as one of the lowest states in female entrepreneurship and business ownership) This must change for my daughter, wife and 4 sisters.
- Continue to drive for technology based curriculum's that become the envy of all other school districts.
Where did you grow up, go to school, college (degrees earned), and where do you work?
I grew up in Waterloo attending
Kingsley Elementary School through my 4th grade year. My family then moved
to Broomfield, CO ( located between Boulder and Denver). I graduated in
1977, from Broomfield High School and then attended Colorado State University
in Ft. Collins, CO. I began my work career as a commodity broker, and until our
department was dissolved at the end of the 2011-2012 school year, I was
employed by Area Education Agency 267 for 11 years assigned to Hudson
Elementary School.Tell us about your family.
My husband, Dan Folladori, and I moved to Hudson 22 years ago from Aurora, CO. My parents, Don and Marilyn Shipanik, were already established here owning The Hudson House restaurant, so it was a very easy transition for us. Dan, a CPA, started his accounting practice in Cedar Falls shortly after we arrived. We have lived on the corner of 1st and Jefferson 22 years next month. It has been a wonderful neighborhood to raise our three children. Lauren, our oldest and a 2008 Hudson graduate, is a 5th grade teacher in the Carlisle school district. Ben, class of 2009, did his undergrad at Wartburg College in Waverly and is just getting ready to begin his first year of law school at Drake University. Lastly, there is Sam, class of 2012. He is getting ready for his sophomore year at UNI majoring in Business and Finance.
What drew you to Board service?
Since arriving in Hudson, I have always tried to stay connected to our community and give a little something back. It started with the Chamber of Commerce and some of my neighbors pulling together on the "Christmas Tree, Unite and Light" campaign. From there, I taught Sunday School for six years, was Lauren's Daisy and Brownie troop leader, and Tiger and Wolf Pack troop leader for both Ben and Sam's scouting groups. I co-coached Ben and Sam's soccer teams in their younger years, was Hudson High School's cheerleading coach for five years and served on the first PTO board followed by two terms as president, three years as vice-president and two years as treasurer. I happened to be on the board when we passed the funding for the sign in front of the elementary school, helped build the new playground and for many years organized a small group who would bring racks and clippers to clean up the front of our elementary building right before school began. I was part of the PTO group who, before this last re-do, spent spring break painting the commons, changing it from it's mono color to our proud Pirate colors. Lastly, I was one of the parents who was asked during the first, Every 15 Minutes, to stay with the high school students the evening of the event.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Iowa?
First I believe "No Child Left Behind" has done more of a disservice to Iowa's children then any sort of support. Secondly, we can't continue to cut funding and still expect the nation to look toward Iowa as a leader in education. Numerous hard choices need to be made in Des Moines. If our state leaders want Iowa to continue to stand out educationally then doing it on a wish and a prayer is not going to get us there.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing education in Hudson?
I don't feel that we have our students prepared as well as they could be for college or other career choices they pursue. We need a full time guidance councilor who can take the time needed to help educate and ready our students for life after high school.
What do you hope to accomplish by serving on the Board?
I would like to see parents and faculty feel more comfortable and positive with approaching the board. Not only the more ideas the better, but I so often hear, "I'm not happy with ______, but going to the board won't do any good" or "If I go to the board with this, they will just take it out on my child." I would feel I had accomplished something if by the end of my term, those phrases were no longer heard. By serving on the board, I would continue to strive for providing the best education and positive opportunities for each and every student at Hudson Community Schools.
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