FMEA puts Dravis forward for board consideration

FORT MADISON - The Fort Madison Education Association is recommending a former FMEA union president for the open position on the local school board.
The Fort Madison Community School Board will be appointing someone tonight to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Amy Thacher, who was hired by the district earlier this year as an assistant principal.
Dawn Johnson, FMEA president, said the union is recommending retired FMCSD teacher and past FMEA president Rachella Dravis to fill the remainder of Thacher's term.
The union held a forum Monday night at the Fort Madison Public Library and interviewed three candidates; Dravis. Chad Savage of Denmark, and Heather Huebner of Fort Madison, before making its recommendation. Sarah Emmett had originally applied, but later rescinded her name.
Johnson said the forum was conducted in an unbiased manner using materials and guidance from the Iowa State Education Association with questions developed by ISEA to help candidates learn and grow in their understanding of education, educational policies, and the inner workings of the school board. 

"This procedure is a similar procedure that occurs in election forums hosted by education associations across the state of Iowa," she wrote in an email to Pen City Current.
"The questions are similar to the questions that have been asked in previous forums hosted by FMEA.  The questions were adjusted so as not to give Dravis, Former FMEA president, an advantage since she would be familiar with them."
Candidates were given an introduction period and then a series of questions specific to perceptions of current working and learning environments in the district; reactions to Chapter 20's 2017 changes; criteria for approving curriculums and materials; master contracts vs. employee handbooks;  collaboration of staff and administration;  federal spending cuts, among other things.

"FMEA has communicated to each candidate that they hope they all seek election for the open positions on the board in November. 4 positions will be available and FMEA hopes all 3 candidates choose to run," Johnson wrote.
The school board will be meeting with all three candidates tonight at the regular meeting and will be appointing someone to fill the vacancy through the November general election.