OSKALOOSA — Ask Scott Van Veldhuizen what the strengths of the Oskaloosa Community School District are, and he’ll point to a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students, strong facilities, its trades programs and “meaningful collaborations between students and local businesses.”Ask him about its weaknesses, and he’ll say student achievement in some subjects, staff retention and enrollment.Van Veldhuizen said he is running for school board to help the OCSD “remain a p...
OSKALOOSA — Ask Scott Van Veldhuizen what the strengths of the Oskaloosa Community School District are, and he’ll point to a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students, strong facilities, its trades programs and “meaningful collaborations between students and local businesses.”
Ask him about its weaknesses, and he’ll say student achievement in some subjects, staff retention and enrollment.
Van Veldhuizen said he is running for school board to help the OCSD “remain a positive pillar and a strong foundation for our community.”
Van Veldhuizen is an area farmer, with a B.S. in agriculture business management from Iowa State University. He is one of six candidates running for three school board seats. Other candidates are incumbents Kathy Butler and Aaron Hinnah, as well as James Feudner, Tyler Wilson and Tasha Janssen.
“As a school board member, I would prioritize learning above all else and work to keep our mission unified and focused on student achievement,” Van Veldhuizen said.
Van Veldhuizen acknowledged the public divisions that have plagued the school board the last several months, and said he wants to “refocus” the OCSD’s mission on student achievement and rebuild trust with the community. Van Veldhuizen said he would work to rebuild that trust by listening to parents, staff and community members
Van Veldhuizen has been critical in the past about Superintendent Mike Fisher and school district expenses. At a forum for school board candidates in early October, Van Veldhuizen said he would be able to work with Fisher.
Van Veldhuizen said he would help to hold local officials “accountable for delivering academic excellence,” and would work to ensure taxpayers get a good return on their investment in the schools.
“I will ask questions of administrators, both privately and at the board table, to ensure transparency and foster public understanding,” Van Veldhuizen said. “Students and staff will see that my questions and decisions are guided by the overall health of the school and the best interests of the district and community.”
“My approach can be summarized as: listen, gather the facts, plan a solution, and communicate effectively,” he said.