Editor’s note: The Daily Freeman-Journal asked the Webster City Community School District Board

of Education candidates to answer a series of questions regarding their decision to seek a seat on the board.

This is the second installment in a series of three. We continue with the District 1 candidates.

KERRY JACOBSON

Tell us a little about yourself personally — family, education, where you grew up.

My husband and I moved to Webster City about 15 years ago after both graduating from Iowa State University. When we were looking for a place to put down roots, having a strong school district was non-negotiable for me — and that’s one of the biggest reasons we chose this community.

I grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa and attended a school district similar in size to Webster City — one that was also the result of a consolidation. That experience gave me an early understanding of both the unique strengths and challenges that come with rural education and combined districts.

Our family is active in the community. We are members of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, where I serve on the Parish Council. My husband serves on the Hamilton County Fair Board, which gives our family additional opportunities to engage with local events and volunteer service. I’ve also had the joy of coaching several of our kids’ sports over the years, including softball most recently — and when I’m not coaching, you’ll often find me behind the camera taking photos at my kids’ events. Each of these experiences has deepened my connection to this community and strengthened my desire to serve on the school board.

Do you have school-aged children?

Yes, we have three children in the district in three different buildings! Our son attends Webster City Middle School, while our daughters are at Sunset Heights and Pleasant View Elementary. Being a parent of students in multiple buildings gives me a broad perspective on the experiences of families and students throughout the district.

What is your professional background?

I spent seven years working in higher education before moving into my current role as executive assistant at Van Diest Medical Center. In this position, I serve as the liaison to the Board of Trustees, which has given me firsthand experience with board governance, policy development, and organizational oversight. I also understand that nonprofit and government-based organizations operate differently than for-profit businesses — with unique challenges, accountability, and transparency requirements. These experiences have strengthened my ability to work collaboratively, think strategically, and make informed decisions — skills I believe are essential for effective service on the school board.

Why do you think you would be a good addition to the school board?

I’m running because I care deeply about our kids, our teachers, and the future we’re building together. I want to be a steady, student-focused voice on the board — listening carefully, leading with integrity, and putting students first.

I bring a unique perspective as a parent, a professional, and someone who chose this community because of its schools. I’m not afraid to ask tough questions, dig into details, and work with diverse viewpoints to make informed decisions that benefit our students, staff, and community. I’m not running to push an agenda — I’m running to be a thoughtful, balanced voice who reflects the values of our community.

What do you think is important as a member of the school board?

Board members need to listen to the community, make informed and transparent decisions, support teachers and staff, and plan for the long-term success of our schools. Collaboration, accountability, and visibility to staff are essential — board members should meet staff where they are to understand the day-to-day work of educators and make better, more informed decisions. It’s also important to maintain a level of accountability across the district, ensuring that goals, policies, and resources are implemented effectively and equitably.

Do you feel the communications between the school system and families are adequate?

While there are pockets of good communication, this remains a sore point for our district. I believe we owe it to staff, students, parents and our community to continually find ways to communicate more effectively. This includes being more transparent about challenges and clearly sharing plans for addressing them. Collaboration is key — ensuring that all voices are heard and that families feel informed and engaged in decisions affecting their schools.

What is your position on the future of the high school and maintenance of other school property?

Our facilities are critical to student learning and community pride. Any decisions about a new high school or other buildings should be transparent, community-driven and based on student needs, long-term planning and fiscal responsibility. We need to be innovative and forward-thinking to ensure the decisions we make today keep our district sustainable and strong for years to come. Maintaining and updating our existing properties is equally important to provide safe, functional, and welcoming learning environments.

What are your biggest concerns regarding the infrastructure of the existing buildings?

My focus is on ensuring safety, accessibility and functionality across all buildings. We should have a proactive plan in place to ensure we don’t find ourselves in a dire situation that puts students and staff at risk. Addressing maintenance and structural needs proactively is essential so students and staff have the resources and environment they need to succeed.

Do you have other issues you would like to bring to light or areas of concern?

I’m committed to student-focused policies, supporting teachers and staff, fostering innovation in learning, and ensuring all families have a voice in decisions. Strong partnerships with the community and local law enforcement are also important to maintain safe, supportive schools.

We are continuing to see a decline in enrollment as more families exercise their right to school choice. This is a concern, and we need to think strategically about how to keep teachers, staff and families engaged in our district. If they live in our district, they should want to be part of what we are doing and take pride in our schools. I welcome ongoing dialogue with parents, staff, and community members to identify concerns and solutions together.

SCOT ELY

Tell us a little about yourself personally — family, education, where you grew up.

I grew up in Webster City and I am a proud graduate of the Webster City Community Schools. After earning my Associate of Arts degree in Police Science, I pursued a career in law enforcement, beginning in 1999. In 2000, I returned to Webster City to begin serving on the Webster City Police Department. I spent 11 years there before joining the State of Iowa, where I worked in the Special Enforcement Operations Bureau and later in the Major Crimes Unit.

Even when work took me elsewhere, my family and I chose to stay rooted in Webster City. My wife April, now a Hamilton County supervisor, has worked in the community for many years. Our daughter attends Webster City High School and our son is in middle school. We also own and manage rental property and farmland here.

Do you have school-aged children?

Yes. Our daughter is in high school, and our son is in middle school in the Webster City community school district.

What is your professional background?

I have over 25 years of law enforcement experience. I currently serve the State of Iowa as a Senior Special Agent in the Division of Criminal Investigation, currently in the Major Crimes Unit. Prior to that, I worked as a Webster City police officer for 11 years and also served on the Webster City Fire Department.

Why do you think you would be a good addition to the school board?

I have lived in Webster City for over 40 years, I’m a parent of Webster City students, and I have a professional background in problem-solving and accountability. More specifically, I have experience in keeping students safe in our schools. Over the past two decades I have taught law enforcement professionals, school educators and civilians alike in school safety and active shooter response. I will use my voice and actions as a school board member to ensure what has happened to schools across the country, including right here in Iowa, will not happen in our back yard. In order for our students to excel in academics they must first have a safe environment to do so.

I understand how government works, how budgets affect families, and the importance of planning for the future. My goal is to ensure our schools maintain an environment where kids are safe, parents feel welcome, and teachers are empowered, while also being fiscally responsible with the resources entrusted to us.

What do you think is important as a member of the school board?

People deserve straight answers about how decisions are made and where the money goes. Decisions must be made openly, with the community in mind, and with clear communication to families. Board members must also keep a careful balance between providing excellent opportunities for students and respecting the taxpayers who fund our schools. As board members, we help set the course by pointing the direction and ensuring decisions reflect the values of our community. But we hire a superintendent to steer the ship day to day, and it’s important we respect that role rather than micromanage operations.

Do you feel the communications between the school system and families are adequate?

Coming from a law-enforcement background, I know that communication isn’t just important, it’s essential. Within a school system communication has to be open, consistent and always improving. Strong schools depend on two-way communication, where families are not only informed but also feel their voices are heard. Everyone has a stake in this — parents, taxpayers, teachers and staff — because we are entrusted with the most precious thing in people’s lives … their children. To me, good communication means working with management and the community so that parents are welcomed, teachers feel supported, and stakeholders see transparency in how decisions are made.

What is your position on the future of the high school and maintenance of other school property?

Our facilities are aging, and our needs as a district are changing. The solution may not be a brand-new building, and it may not simply be remodeling what we have — but the status quo is not acceptable. We must carefully weigh facts and our options while remembering that taxpayers are already carrying a heavy burden with property taxes. My approach is to find alternatives and partnerships that keep costs low while ensuring our students have safe, modern and competitive learning spaces. Webster City must be a destination school district — a place families want to move to because of the quality of our schools.

What is your biggest concerns on the infrastructure of the existing buildings?

My biggest concern with our facilities is safety and modernization. Our high school students are walking the same halls their grandparents did, with too few updates. We can’t just throw money at the problem, but we also can’t ignore that air conditioning, secure buildings, and updated spaces are part of providing a safe, modern learning environment. The challenge for the school board is finding responsible solutions that balance student needs with taxpayer realities.

Do you have other issues you would like to bring to light or areas of concern?

I want Webster City schools to be welcoming, transparent and forward-looking. What happened in Des Moines with the former superintendent should be unacceptable to all of us, and we must ensure that kind of breakdown never happens here. I also believe we should look for creative solutions, including public-private and public-public partnerships, to make our schools stronger. At the end of the day, families may commute for a job, but they move for a school. If we want Webster City to thrive, we must invest wisely in education while always remembering where every tax dollar comes from.