(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a two-part series of questions sent by the Times-Republican to Marshalltown Community School Disrict Board candidates.)

Four residents have thrown their hats in the ring for three at-large seats on the Marshalltown Community School Board for Tuesday’s election.

Three of the candidates – Karina Hernandez, Leah Stanley and Zach Wahl – are incumbents. The fourth, Eric Goslinga, is a retired employee of the Marshalltown Community School District.

Stanley

Leah Stanley

Stanley was raised in Marshalltown, graduating from MHS in 1995 and has worked at Emerson for almost 25 years. She and her husband Todd have three children, the youngest still attending MCSD and the other two graduating in 2022 and 2023. She has served on the board the past four years. Before that, she was involved with the Team Hoglan parent teacher organization and a parent representative on the School Improvement Advisory Committee.

Goslinga

Eric Goslinga

Goslinga, 60, worked in education for 35 years before retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year as the principal of Marshalltown Learning Academy. ​​He is married to Kathleen and they have two children in the school system – Daniel in seventh grade and Dalton in fourth grade.

Why did you decide to run?

Stanley: My interest in serving on the board was originally inspired by my grandfather. I remember him talking about the important role the school board plays in shaping education in a community. While I chose not to pursue a career in education, I saw school board service as a meaningful way to honor my family’s legacy and give back to the community. Now, after four years on the board, I’m running for re-election because I’ve seen firsthand the impact we can have as board members. I’m energized by the passion of our teachers, the achievements of our students, as well as the vision and mission of the Marshalltown Community School District.

Goslinga: I decided to run to give back to the community and our schools. I bring the perspective of a 35-year education professional to the board. Of the members of the board, no one currently has that kind of experience. I have a passion for making sure all students receive a great education and that those students leave our system college-career-service ready.

Please tell voters why you would be a good person to serve on the MCSD school board.

Stanley: I have deep roots in Marshalltown and a strong commitment to seeing our community — and the next generation — grow and thrive. After four years on the board, I understand how to support the district’s goals and respond to the needs of our community. There are several major initiatives currently underway that require steady leadership and continuity to see through successfully. Additionally, with ongoing changes in public education at the state level, I want to help guide our district through those transitions and ensure we stay focused on what’s best for our students.

Goslinga: I recognize the role of board members as those that set policy. We hire great people to run the day-to-day of the school. As I mentioned before, having the perspective of 35 years in the business of school operations gives me an enhanced perspective that could be beneficial to a larger board. I listen to all perspectives and I have the interests of ALL MCSD students in mind, not just my own children.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the district right now, and how would you address it?

Stanley: One of the most significant challenges facing MCSD — and many districts across Iowa — is the growing gap in federal and state funding for public education. This shortfall puts pressure on local districts to do more with less, while still striving to provide high-quality educational experiences for all students.

As a board member, it’s critical to understand the complexities of public education funding and ensure that every dollar is spent wisely and strategically. We must balance fiscal responsibility with our commitment to student success. I also encourage our community to consider candidates’ positions on public education when voting in state and federal elections. The decisions made at those levels have a direct impact on what we can achieve locally.

Goslinga: There are several critical issues impacting Marshalltown. Iowa’s “Supplemental State Aid” (SSA) per‐pupil increases have been modest, often below inflation, which means school districts are losing buying power. Those small increases coupled with inflation and rising operational costs, staffing, insurance, infrastructure and construction make it harder and harder to maintain programming and keep competitive salaries and benefits. Chronic absenteeism remains a concern. There are efforts to reduce it, but non-attendance can exacerbate learning loss and lead to non-proficient student performances. The services received by special education students will need additional attention and focus due to changes in the structure of AEAs and how the state is supporting students with disabilities.

What are some strengths of MCSD and how would you highlight or strengthen those?

Stanley: MCSD is a district where every student can find a path to success. One of the district’s greatest strengths is its commitment to meeting students where they are and helping them grow from there. Student engagement increases when they feel connected — whether through a program, a teacher or an activity that gives them a reason to show up and thrive. Marshalltown is providing these opportunities.

My own children found their paths through opportunities like dual enrollment at MHS and MCC, earning the Seal of Biliteracy, participating in athletics, and joining academic clubs like Quiz Bowl.

The two new developments I am most excited about are:

Junior Achievement partnership (3DE): This is a long-standing project-based learning program that connects students with real-world experiences and makes learning more relevant and engaging.

Trades Program Expansion: From students pursuing careers in skilled trades to those like my son who simply want to be confident doing home projects, these programs build practical skills, confidence, and creativity.

As a board member, I will continue to support the district’s efforts to grow programs that teach life skills and keep students engaged in their education and future.

Goslinga: There are a lot of good things going on in our schools. Marshalltown has done a better job of telling its story over the past several years. That is especially important in an environment of open enrollment and vouchers. Voters passed the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) for another decade with nearly 69 percent approval and the “Reimagine Miller” bond referendum was approved by 68 percent of voters, enabling a significant redevelopment of Miller Middle School for 21st-century education standards. When we make the case for what is needed, the community supports the schools. The district completed a significant CTE and Science upgrade at the high school campus, which was definitely needed. A substantial number of Marshalltown students are earning the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy, demonstrating proficiency in English plus at least one other world language. Our dual language programming significantly impacts this. U.S. News & World Report has ranked four of our elementary schools among the top 40 percent in the state. This is a reflection of the strong work being done in our system around literacy. MCSD fully supports students earning college credit in high school through the dual credit program. That provides a significant savings to our families that seek higher education after high school. While we still have room to grow with real-world learning and real-world applications, we have done some encouraging work with the Junior Achievement partnership and the Bobcat Cafe project.

Board members serve on specific committees. Is there a committee(s) you would like to serve on? If so, what one(s) and why?

Stanley: I currently serve on two school board subcommittees – the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) and the Finance Committee. While both are important to the success of our district, SIAC is the one I find most rewarding.

SIAC brings together a diverse group of voices — school administrators, board members, teachers, parents, students and community members — all working collaboratively to improve education in Marshalltown. It’s a space where meaningful conversations lead to actionable steps that directly impact our schools. For parents and community members who want to be more involved in shaping the future of education in Marshalltown, SIAC is a great place to start. It’s an opportunity to contribute ideas, share perspectives and help drive positive change for our students and educators.

Goslinga: If elected I would be only one of seven board members. I would like to collaborate around where I could be most useful to the entire board before specifically naming board committees.

Reimagine Miller is a huge project for MCSD. As a board member, how will you approach the project?

Stanley: Reimagine Miller is a critical and long-overdue investment in the future of MCSD and the Marshalltown community. Modernizing Miller Middle School was one of the first projects I discussed with district leadership after joining the board. The building, originally constructed nearly 100 years ago for a different age group and educational model, no longer meets the needs of today’s students. While I understand and appreciate the positive impact that updated athletic facilities have on community pride, my primary focus has been advocating for modern, functional educational spaces. Ensuring that our students and teachers have access to safe, flexible and future-ready learning environments is essential to supporting academic success and long-term growth.

As a board member, I’ve supported selecting contractors who involve educators and the community in the design process, and I’ve worked to build awareness around the need for change at Miller. Looking ahead, I’ll continue to advocate for keeping the project on schedule and on budget, with a strong emphasis on funding the improvements that will most impact teaching and learning.

Goslinga: The school board would play a crucial role in governance and oversight of this project. The Board would approve the scope of the project, authorize contracts, provide the funding mechanisms to accomplish the project and ensure that taxpayer resources are invested efficiently and effectively. The Board should ensure that a project of this size and scope benefits ALL of our middle school learners. Board members would also listen to community input, explain the rationale for decisions and advocate for the district’s needs.

There has been an increase in school board interest in the state – people wondering what exactly members are doing. What are your thoughts on the increased interest?

Stanley: I think increased interest is a good thing if it means people genuinely care about what’s happening in their local school. If anyone wants to know what the school board is doing, I encourage them to attend our meetings or watch the livestream. Meetings are open to the public, and it’s a great way to stay informed. Plus, by tuning in, you’ll hear about all the great things happening in our district — and you can help spread the word!

Goslinga: The board of education holds one of the most important public trusts, that of managing and spending taxpayer money to educate children. Because school districts are funded primarily through local, state and federal taxes, board members act as guardians of the community’s investment in its schools. Clear financial reporting, open meetings and accurate documentation help the public see where funds go and how decisions are made. Strong controls demonstrate integrity and build confidence that the district is acting ethically and efficiently. Transparency builds credibility and invites constructive community engagement.

Final comments

Stanley: Marshalltown is my hometown, and I care about its future. I’m proud of the progress our district has made and excited about the opportunities ahead. With your support, I hope to continue serving on the school board to advocate for students, support our educators and ensure that every child has access to a high-quality, engaging public education.

Goslinga: I am excited at the opportunity to serve on the board of education. We have had former school administrators serve on the board – Bea Niblock and Bonnie Lowry – and their perspective at the board table served the community well. I hope to continue in that tradition.