A spool of ‘I Voted’ stickers rests on a cart at Clutier City Hall during a past city-school election. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Denny Berger (no photo available)

Age: 69 years old

Education: Graduate of North Tama High School; Higher Education – School of Hard Knocks

Occupation/Profession: Retired farmer/truck driver

Family: Wife, Jill; Daughter, Melinda Oberholtz; Son, Scott Berger; four grandchildren

1) What motivated you to run for school board? Why is public education important to you, and why would you like to serve it in this capacity? 

One reason I am running for the North Tama School Board is because I’m concerned about the deterioration of accountability in our school district. Public education is the foundation of the educational system. With the increasing popularity of home schooling and private schools, our school board needs to improve our public school so it can survive. I want to help North Tama become a place students and parents WANT to attend, not just feel they HAVE to attend because of their address.

2) 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?

Three important issues are declining enrollment, discipline issues and sustainability. I’d like to help create a place where students, staff, faculty and administration are held accountable for their actions and responsibilities. I’ve always felt that cameras throughout the school building would help with that. I believe it would benefit everyone!

3) The school district is currently nearing completion of the new high school addition which was made possible due to the successful passage of a bond referendum. Enrollment over the last decade has remained somewhat stagnant (up and down a few students each year). Is this sustainable for a small, rural district like North Tama? What should the school board’s role be when it comes to enrollment? Do you feel the State of Iowa should be doing more to help rural school districts and, if so, what should be done?

It would be sustainable if we create an atmosphere of education through teamwork. I believe that reports from every department should be required at each school board meeting. This would prevent small problems from becoming big problems and the lines of communication would be open. It would be nice if the State of Iowa would allow the school to handle discipline issues, as currently it seems that the students and parents are running the school.

4) The North Tama Community School District has placed at least two teachers over the last six months on paid administrative leave including K-12 vocal music teacher Chris McFate who was placed on administrative leave as the result of a social media post she is purported to have made regarding the late Charlie Kirk. Do you feel the district handled and/or is currently handling those issues appropriately? What would you have liked the district did differently?

The School District needs to follow policies in place. Those are the rules for everyone! The School Board should be transparent with no secrets.

5) Why should voters support your candidacy for school board?

Voters should vote for me because I’m more “old school” and I believe in rules and enforcing them. Policies need to be adhered to and accepted with no whining. Teachers need to hold students accountable; Administration needs to hold staff and faculty accountable; School Board needs to hold Administration accountable. I know I would only be one person on the School Board but I feel very strongly about teaching our students good character and integrity, along with school subjects. We can make North Tama a high-quality school that parents want their children to attend. We can do this together. Please vote for me!