Amy Erica Smith, Kelly Winfrey, and Brett Becker are the candidates who were elected to the Ames school board on November 2. Smith had 20.77% of votes, Winfrey had 19.52% of votes, and Becker had 17.4% of votes (unofficial results) with 100% of precincts reporting. Other candidates in the race included Kira Werstein, Tom Purl, Rolf Duvick, and William Scott Dryer, none of whom got above 13% of the vote each. 

Three seats were available on the Ames School Board, and seven candidates filed to run. No incumbent members up for reelection filed to run, and no candidates endorsed by Ames Deserves Better were elected. 

Amy Erica Smith says that she is looking forward to being able to work with students to address some of the tough issues the district is facing. She says that the most immediate challenge is hiring a new superintendent and that she’s interested in working with groups and clubs like CAUSE (Citizens Actualizing and Understanding Sustainable Environment) on their sustainability resolution for the district. Students can reach out to her at [email protected] with any questions, comments, ideas, or concerns they have. 

Brett Becker called it an honor to be elected to the school board and said that he is interested in hearing from individual students, as well as meeting with student groups, clubs, and organizations. Students can reach out to him at [email protected]. 

Kelly Winfrey would like students to know that she is serving to advocate for them. One of her main goals is to “push the district to do better with diversity, equity, and inclusion.” She plans to listen to the district’s problems and concerns, find where the issues are, and make a plan to address them. She wants to know how the district can do better and support students and staff. Students can reach out to her at [email protected], and are welcome to attend school board meetings, either in person or over zoom, to comment on anything that is concerning them.