North Tama School Board Candidate: LeRoy Staker

Age: 43

Residence: Traer

Profession: Insurance Producer

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Family: I am married to Nicole Staker. I have a son named Dylan who is 20 and a daughter who is 18, Jordan. I have two step daughters, one is 18, Alexis Hansen and the other 13, Alana Hansen who both went to school in Traer as well as myself and most of my family. I have 2 sisters and 2 brothers and all of their kids have either gone to school here or are still in school here.

What motivated you to run for school board? I grew up here and have a daughter going to school there so I want to make sure that what happens at the school is in the best interest of the city and the students.

What qualities and behaviors should school board members exhibit? Focus on helping/serving all the children. Remembering that my identity is with the people in the city not the staff. Use my different expertise to inform other board members.

What do you see as the primary roles and responsibilities for the position you are running for? To set the vision and the goals of the district. Adopt and oversee the budget. Support Public Education.

What do you feel are the three most important issues the school board will face during your (anticipated) term as a school board member? How do you plan to address those issues? I feel like one of the most important issues would be the options for our building plans.

I feel like an appreciation for teachers through Covid, just knowing how tough it is to get subs. The teachers we have have to work through some of their planning period times because we are short on teachers. I think they really deserve a lot of respect and love through this time.

We also need to really focus on recruiting for all the open positions which will help the above issue.

Why should people vote for you on November 2, 2021? I think I have a lot of different perspectives to give the school. I have lived in different states in big and little cities and see how those schools were ran. I have a business background, and a military background which has me look at things differently than some people. I have been around this community my whole life except for the ten years I spent in the Navy. I have seen a lot of different things and I just want to make sure the City and the school is a strong and safe place to be.