Remember to VOTE on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Union School Board Candidate: Lindsay Pipho

RESIDENCE: Rural Dysart

PROFESSION: I was formerly a school teacher/coach, but currently stay at home raising our four children while volunteering with their activities and coaching.

EDUCATION: I graduated from Union High School in 2000. Received my Education Degree from Wartburg College in 2006.

FAMILY: My family includes my husband Bob and our four children Paige (11), Dane (8), Drew (6), and Dylan (2)

What motivated you to run for school board/city council/mayor? My motivation comes from providing the students in this district the best educational experience possible. It is a priority that decisions made will reflect the best interest of every child.

What qualities and behaviors should school board/city council members and mayors exhibit? I believe a school board member should possess the ability to listen. Listen to students, staff, and the community, and be able to reflect and participate in open discussions.

What do you see as the primary roles and responsibilities for the position you are running for? My role as a school board member is to work alongside others to make important decisions based on what is best for our students and schools. Our job as a school board member is to provide a supportive and safe environment for all students.

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?

1.The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students, staff, and schools. Having three children in the district now, I believe the current school board has done a tremendous job with the protocols set in place. This is an ever-changing situation, and it will continue to be a challenge that we need to monitor and evaluate as the year progresses.

2. Another challenge that I see has taken place due to my own children is keeping class sizes small. We are fortunate to be in a smaller district, and with that our students can be in smaller classes. The small class size gives students the opportunity to participate, they get to know their peers and teacher better, there is more instruction time, and students cannot hide or get left behind. We need to work to keep the class size small so each student will have the best K-12 education in this district.

3. I believe it is continually important to unite the district together. We have small towns that come together to form our district, and we need to support each one. We need to invest and implement new ideas to keep the individual communities involved in the whole. Offer opportunities in each town that unite the communities together.

Why should people vote for you on November 2, 2021? I will work hard with the other members to provide the best for our students in the Union Community School District.