Iowa City – Iowa City resident Jim Tate announced he will be a candidate for Iowa City School Board. Jim is a parent of an Iowa City student and cites this as his primary motivation in running for the Board. He knows firsthand the commitment of the educators and staff in the Iowa City School District, and looks forward to working them to improve the District for all students. As a property owner and taxpayer, Jim understands that responsibility of a Board Member to be wise with how these public moneys are spent.
Jim is a former Marine, having served our country from 1991-1995, both domestically and overseas. Jim credits his time in the Corps with strengthening his sense of service to others, saying “Whether it is my time in the Marine Corps or as an active member of my community, I believe a strong democracy rests on our obligations to serve the public. I see the school board as a positive outlet for that belief.”
Jim and his wife Lily are residents of Iowa City’s Southeast side where they live with their daughter Rebekah who attends South East Jr. High School. He has taken an active role in the Iowa City School District, attending school board meetings for many years as well as any number of school functions. Jim works as a forklift operator at United Natural Foods where he is also the head Union Steward.
Jim’s goals for serving on the School Board will be:
1) Fiscal accountability, especially through holding contractors accountable for quality as we improve our infrastructure needs.
2) Greater transparency and community engagement by holding more listening posts and other methods of communication.
3) Improving the health of our student body with a school lunch program that focuses on nutrition and quality and other wellness programs.
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