SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION SEPTEMBER 13

Who is Katie Peterson?

Katie Peterson is currently serving on the Pella Community School District Board of Directors. Appointed in March of 2010 to finish the term of Joy Flinchum, who moved out of state, she is required to be on the ballot at the next school board election following her appointment. She will then have to run again, if she so chooses, in two years, when that term expires.

Peterson is a native of Pella who graduated from Pella High School and Central College with a degree in elementary education. After teaching fifth grade for a year in Johnston, she married and taught second grade for three years in Pella. After her second child was born, she became an at-home mom, running a small Christian day-care. In August of 2004, Peterson began working in Children's Ministries at Third Reformed Church, fulfiling various part-time grade level responsibilities until named Director three years ago. Now with Ministry responsibilities for birth through grade six, she will this fall be transitioning into the full-time position of Director of Discipleship Ministries, responsible for ministering to children and adults

In her spare time, Peterson enjoys spending time with her family, running, and nature. The Petersons currently have a fourth grader and a third grader in the Pella Public Schools, and a 3-year-old at home. Peterson reads a lot of spiritual formation books, and is on the Commissioned Pastor track at Third, a lay leadership program which commissions pastors instead of ordaining them.

Peterson came onto the Board of Education at a time when tough decisions had to be made regarding the District's finances. "Cuts needed to be made," she said, "and there were a lot of man hours devoted to trying to get programs financed the way you wisehd you could see them be financed. It was just a tough thing to do. Pella did not have teacher lay-offs, but there were program and personnel reductions. The district was financially responsible enough to weather that storm, and will continue to be mindful of spending within our means."

The financing of public school systems is going to be creative. "We have to continue to find ways that maintain high levels of educational programming with limited government resources. Ideally, school districts should have flexibility to spend funding where it is needed. Opportunities like the passing of the current revenue purpose statement (Iowa Law allows school districts to ask voters for approval of a revenue purpose statement to define the use of the state wide sales tax funds collected under the SAVE [Secure and Advanced Vision for Education] fund) (See article on this web site explaining the revenue purpose statement - mr) help districts complete needed projects in the near future. Each community has its own needs, and politics shouldn't be part of it. We need financing that can be carried forward, that we can count on on a yearly basis."

One of the faces of education that Peterson has noticed change is "the metrics of how we assess student success. The Pella Community District has made great strides in aligning curriculum, instruction and assessments with rigor and relevance. Our greatest challenge is going to be continuing to prepare this generation to not only be effective citizens but also contributing citizens. Many people have been engaged in the districts newly constructed mission, vision and goal statements. These important directional statements will help the district continue to move forward in maximizing life's opportunities for each child."

She continued "Also changing is the amount of technology and information to which children are exposed. It is a new frontier for many adults. We should not be afraid of learning their language, of using how they experience life as a way to educate them; but it needs to be one of several means of teaching and interacting. For example, this past year the district implemented Google Aps which allowed children in several different places to be working on the same project. This type of technology modality encourages collaboration among students. And yes, there are times when we simply need to 'unplug them' from technology."

On a personal note, Peterson stated that she she intends to be "wherever the Lord needs me. I had no idea I'd be where I am right now, and while I'm not sure where that will lead, teaching is a passion, and will always be on my radar screen."

On the School Board itself, Petersen says "I see myself as a team player who is proud of our community and district. Our administrators, top to bottom, are highly engaged and present great leadership. Our teachers are top-notch, continually connecting with students and learning new ways to engage students in meaningful learning. I believe the community is blessed to have quality people leading this generation. The district has excellent standards, an excellent educational system. I'm excited about continuing to promote and build on those foundations of excellence."

marty racheter 090911

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Town Crier Ltd. or towncriernews.com.
Readers' responses are always welcomed.