School Board Scorecard

School board filing ended yesterday and you'll need a scorecard to keep track. Nine candidates have filed for the three Iowa City school district seats on the September 10 ballot. Unlike 2011, when there was a separate race for one two year term, it's all one contest, top three win. One seat is open as incumbent Sarah Swisher is not running.

School board is a non-partisan office. Yet the most common question I get about school, and city, candidates is: "which ones are the good Democrats?"

"Good" is subjective, but affiliation is purely objective. We're in a polarized era so the label has some meaning. There's Republicans who I'd trust in local office who I'd never support for, say, the legislature. I've once or twice voted for a registered Republican for school board, though if I remember right it was more a matter of voting AGAINST someone else.

In any case, in the interest of Objective Journalism and giving my readers of all parties what they want, I offer some indisputable facts about the nine candidates, continuing a tradition. I also offered links to sites if I can find them. (Phil, Gregg: Will add on request.)

Interestingly, no one from North Liberty filed. As for who wants to close what school? As a Miller-Orchard resident and former - FORMER - Roosevelt parent, I have a certain detachment from that question.

Sara Barron
Age: 36
Residence: Southeast side
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Electoral History: First run.

Karla Cook
Age: 67
Residence: Far east side
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Electoral History: Incumbent, elected to two year short term in 2011.

Tuyet Dorau
Age: 35
Residence: north Coralville
Party Affiliation: No Party. Sometimes claims to be a Democrat but changed to No Party in 2008.
Electoral History: Incumbent, elected in 2009.

Gregg Geerdes
Age: 53
Residence: Manville Heights
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Electoral History: First run.

Phil Hemingway
Age: 54
Residence: East side
Party Affiliation: Republican; only one in race.
Electoral History: Fifth place of eight candidates in the 2011 four year term race. Just 89 votes behind Patti Fields for the fourth and final seat.

Brian Kirschling
Age: 41
Residence: Newport Township just north of city limits
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Electoral History: First run.

Jason Lewis
Age: 42
Residence: Twain neighborhood
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Electoral History: First run.

Chris Lynch
Age: 45
Residence: north Coralville
Party Affiliation: No Party
Electoral History: First run.

Jim Tate
Age: 40
Residence: East side.
Party Affiliation: Democrat.
Electoral History: Last of eight candidates in 2011 race.