Schools

LETTER: Vote for Pat Cahill, Todd Shafer, and George Tracy

A teacher explains why he supports incumbent board members in the Ankeny School Board Election.

Jim Robidoux explains why he supports the incumbent school board members in the upcoming Sept. 10 election.

Dear Community:

What a privilege it is to teach in Ankeny!  Go Hawks!  Go Jaguars!  As a community, we are all moving forward with student learning and opportunity.  

We need to re-elect Pat Cahill, Todd Shafer, and George Tracy to the Ankeny school board to continue to benefit from their outstanding leadership.  


This will be my 18th year teaching in Ankeny. Like thousands of other citizens, we moved to Ankeny because of the great schools.  Ankeny currently has an outstanding school board of seven honorable, dedicated, and diverse citizens who listen to the community and work selflessly to improve student learning and opportunity.


All Ankeny staff know that working conditions and climate have improved dramatically under Cahill, Shafer, and Tracy.

In June 2012, they promoted Dr. Bruce Kimpston from assistant superintendent to superintendent after the previous superintendent resigned to take another job.  

Dr. Kimpston states again and again that we must treat all staff as valued stakeholders, and he has assembled a diverse team of administrators who lead with enthusiasm, fairness, and collaboration.  All staff working together provide the best education for Ankeny students.


Taxpayers know that Cahill, Tracy, and Shafer have worked to reduce taxes and control spending while fully funding the split to two high schools and two feeder systems.  

The tax rate increased every year from the fiscal year 2006-07 ($16.70) to 2010-11 ($22.35) under the previous board majority’s leadership.  

The tax rate has decreased to $20.33 for FY2014 under the current board.  

Cahill, Shafer, and Tracy listened to the community, and the Ankeny citizens approved the Elementary 10 bond referendum in February 2013.  

Cahill, Shafer, and Tracy restored the Ankeny School Board-City of Ankeny and Ankeny School Board-Ankeny Teachers committees that were disbanded by the previous board and superintendent.  They have earned re-election!

Please vote for Pat Cahill, Todd Shafer, and George Tracy on September 10.  

Go Hawks!  Go Jaguars!


Jim Robidoux


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