April Armstrong, 33

Background: Armstrong moved to Iowa City from Newton, Iowa, to become a professional nanny in 1993. Her job has helped her develop strong communication and scheduling skills.

District involvement: Armstrong has served as Parent Teacher Association president for Weber Elementary since 2008; her term ends in 2010. She was also involved in Weber’s Before and After School Program.

Issues: Armstrong said she believes the entire community should be involved in district decisions. Officials should reach out to citizens unable to attend School Board meetings by posting online surveys and holding additional community meetings. She said the board’s recent decision to close Roosevelt Elementary underscores this issue. “People felt the decision was made before they could give any input, and that’s wrong,” she said.

Mike Cooper, 61

Background: Cooper earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the UI and is the vice president of national services for Pearson.

District involvement: As a current board member, Cooper is completing a two-year term and seeking re-election. He participated in developing a first draft for a five-year plan to address building new schools and renovating old ones.

Issues: Cooper said he thinks the district’s budget concerns need to be addressed first. Officials should focus on funding the city’s third high school, he said. Cooper would also like to take a communitywide approach to using the Roosevelt Elementary building when it closes, suggesting the space could be used as a preschool or an education center. He recalled the community’s disappointment at the closing of Roosevelt but said, “I think we can change that if we do the right thing next.”

Tuyet Dorau, 31

Background: Dorau came to Iowa City as a refugee from Vietnam when she was a child and thinks her unique socioeconomic perspective could benefit the district.

District involvement: Dorau has volunteered at various district events, including teacher-appreciation meals and fall fundraisers.

Issues: Dorau said she believes board members should develop long-term solutions for the entire district — including contingency plans — to address current issues, such as funding a third high school. Officials should focus on keeping areas safe for children who walk or bike to school, and should address changing socioeconomic conditions. “I remember what it was like to be poor,” she said referring to her days as a student in the district. “I remember what it was like to be looked at as an outsider.”

Anne Johnson, 34

Background: Johnson has held various leadership positions at Pearson for the past 10 years. She is also a certified project management professional.

District involvement: Johnson grew up in Iowa City. She helped develop a parent organization in March to advocate for the development of a third high school. Becoming frustrated after regularly attending board meetings, she said she feels it is her duty to run for School Board.

Issues: Johnson believes board members should commit to a plan for the new high school and avoid making quick-fix boundary changes that could require adjustments in the future, she said. She would also like to consider examining bus ridership and eliminating unnecessary bus stops to save money.

Jean Jordison, 62

Background: Jordison earned master’s degrees in education and library science at the UI. She has served as an early childhood educator, high-school media specialist, and junior-high media specialist and language-arts teacher.

District invovlement: Jordison has served on several district committees. She has volunteered as both a cross-country parent and a show choir parent.

Issues: Jordison said she wants to achieve districtwide unity and equality. Officials should look into renovating some district schools in addition to adding a third high school, she said, and she believes it is unfair to provide some students with a new building and leave others in less modern conditions. “We need to make more decisions with the whole district in mind,” she said.

Sarah Swisher, 53

Background: Swisher works for the Service Employees International Union, where she has gained experience in legislative analysis and planning.

District Involvement: In 2002 and 2003, Swisher co-chaired a group called “Yes For Kids,” which helped pass a bond referendum funding building expenses for three district schools.

Issues: Swisher said she would like to focus on creating equity among elementary school children, especially focusing on bringing the district into compliance with federal mandates regarding socio-economic balance in schools. “We need to help balance opportunities for [disadvantaged] kids,” she said. She would also like to address budget concerns by focusing only on urgent renovations and reducing consultant costs.