In our tight-knit community of Iowa City, we cherish the educational foundation that our schools provide. As a parent of three children enrolled in the Iowa City Community School District, I have witnessed firsthand the impact that effective and cohesive leadership can have on our schools.

Recent events have led me, along with countless other concerned community members, to request the immediate resignation of certain School Board directors.

We have observed a troubling pattern of decisions and actions that have led to tens of millions of dollars in debt, and zero accountability.  Over and over they make decisions that do not align with the values and expectations of our community.

 Directors Malone, Abraham, Eastham, Horn-Fraiser, and Williams have consistently failed to prioritize the needs and voices of our students, teachers, and families. Instead of fostering a transparent and inclusive atmosphere, their leadership has been marred by opacity and unresponsiveness.

Given these challenges, we propose that Director Lingo be appointed as President to restore integrity and trust in our local school board.

Under his leadership, we envision a board that is proactive in addressing issues, committed to transparency, and genuinely considerate of the diverse perspectives within our community.

Our community deserves a school board that reflects our values, prioritizes our students' education, and actively engages with us to build a brighter future. By signing this petition, you join me in taking a stand for the students and staff of the Iowa City Community School District. Let us come together to ensure our school board embodies the principles necessary for effective governance and positive change.

 Please, sign this petition to express your support for a new and responsible leadership for our schools.

 

New addition: 11/11/26-

Formal Petition Pursuant to Iowa Code § 279.8B

We, the undersigned eligible electors of the Iowa City Community School District, hereby petition the Board of Education, pursuant to Iowa Code § 279.8B, to place the following proposal on the agenda of its next regular meeting or a meeting held within 30 days of receipt of this petition.

 

Proposed Agenda Item: Public Consideration of School Board Leadership, Requests for Director Resignations, and Election of a New Board President

We request that the Board provide an opportunity for public comment concerning:

1. The requested resignations of Directors Charlie Eastham, Molly Abraham, Lisa Williams, Ruthina Malone, and Jennifer Horn-Frasier.

2. The election of Director Mitch Lingo as President of the Iowa City Community School District Board of Education, through the applicable board election procedures.

3. The need for increased financial oversight, transparent governance, and restoration of public confidence in district leadership.

We request that the meeting notice clearly identify these matters and that the Board provide sufficient time for interested community members to address the proposal, as required by Iowa Code § 279.8B.