Reflections from Retiring Board Member Kala Featherstone

I was surprised and saddened when Vice-President Kala Featherstone called me a few months back to share that she was resigning her position on the school board. Since her husband Joe had just accepted a position in Atlanta, Georgia; it seemed commuting wasn't going to be a feasible option. Luckily we were able to rely on her steady leadership through the end of the school year. Kala officially resigned her seat at the board meeting held on May 18th. 

Kala was originally appointed to the board four years ago when then president Karyn Finn resigned due to a relocation to Kansas City. Following that appointment, Kala ran for, and then won a seat in the 2019 school board election. She was halfway through her term when she announced her intent to step down. 

We were able to put Kala's expertise in financing and budgeting to good use while on the board. She served as a member of the Finance and Audit Committee and could always be counted on to ask good, thought provoking questions at the board table. Following the election this past fall, she ascended to the role of Vice President where she helped steer meetings and provided key leadership while the district managed the COVID-19 pandemic. Kala also shared her outstanding leadership skills during the latest construction project that resulted in the renovations and upgrades to the elementary school. We could always count on Kala to keep us focused and on task!

As is customary when we have a board member leave their service, they are encouraged to provide reflections on their time with the board and to pass along any advice they may have to their successor. Kala shares the following:

The past four years have been very challenging and yet very rewarding serving on the Hudson School Board.  Highlights include seeing the finished remodel project at the Elementary, expanding the CTE program, starting on the high school remodel project and getting an Exceptional rating on the Iowa Report Card.  We have a great school system in Hudson due to amazing teachers, staff, parents and community support.  It’s wonderful to see so many parents and community members invested in our kids and their futures.  A huge thank you to my fellow board members, past and present, for all their hard work and coming to meetings prepared for discussion.  There were a lot of very tough decisions that we had to make and it was great how we could share our differing views in a respectful way.   I know Hudson schools will continue to be exceptional in new and existing ways and I will continue to cheer for Hudson from a far.

We are truly grateful and indebted to Kala for her service to the Hudson Community School District and wish her and her family all the best in Atlanta! In accordance with Board Policy 202.4, the board is set to fill this vacancy by appointment. The board then, will appoint Amy Thole to this vacancy at a special meeting scheduled to be held on June 15, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. You may recall Amy ran for an open seat during the November election this past fall. To learn more about Amy, please click here.  Ironically enough, Amy is being elevated to her seat in the same fashion Kala was four years ago!