What’s on the ballot?
School Board Candidates: Elect 3
Every two years we hold School Board elections and this year, Urbandale Community School District will have three open seats on the ballot. All three seats are four-year terms. The four candidates running for School Board include:
- Hannah Horton
- Rachel Kent
- Marc Salmon
- Rodrigo Santizo
Learn more about each school board candidate by reviewing the information below.
Public Measure: Revenue Purpose Statement
Iowa law requires that each school district ask voters to approve a “Revenue Purpose Statement” on the intended use of the statewide sales tax revenue.
In 2008, the UCSD Board of Directors discussed and approved its first Revenue Purpose Statement; it was approved by voters that year with more than 80% of the vote. The 2008 Revenue Purpose Statement expires in 2030.
On November 4, 2025, voters will have the opportunity to cast their vote on this Revenue Purpose Statement. If approved, this new statement would replace the 2008 statement and would expire in 2051.
[Note: The Iowa Legislature extended the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund to 2051. In order for school districts to continue utilizing SAVE, districts need to receive voter approval prior to the 2030 expiration.]
Important: The Revenue Purpose Statement does not create a new tax or increase the sales tax rate. Instead, it determines how a school district will use its share of revenue from the statewide one-cent sales tax, known as the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund.
Learn more about the Revenue Purpose Statement
Save the date! Vote Tuesday, November 4!
Save the date to vote in the School Board Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Learn more about election day polling information by visiting the Polk County Auditor site.
View the livestream 10/14/25: UHS Students Hosting School Board Candidate Forum
At 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Urbandale High School Government students are hosting a School Board Candidate Forum in order for students to learn more about the four candidates running for three seats on the UCSD School Board. The forum is a student-led event and only UHS students in Government classes are allowed to attend.
Important: Although the forum is not open to the public, community members are welcome to view the livestream. The School Board Candidate Forum livestream can be viewed on the District YouTube Channel beginning at 9:30 a.m. on October 14, and can also be accessed below when in progress. The recording will also be archived on the District’s YouTube Channel for viewing at your convenience. Thank you!
Get to know our UCSD School Board Candidates
Every two years we hold School Board elections and this year, Urbandale Community School District will have three open seats on the ballot. All three seats are four-year terms. We requested our four school board candidates respond to the following three questions:
- How will your experiences as a leader support your work on the UCSD Board?
- What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing the District?
- How will the UCSD Mission and Vision guide your work as a leader in the District?
Enjoy learning more about each candidate (listed in alphabetical order) and save the date to VOTE in the upcoming School Board Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Polls open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Learn more about election day polling information by visiting the Polk County Auditor site.
Hannah Horton
How will your experiences as a leader support your work on the UCSD Board?
I am an advocate for the success of all students in the district. I have served on the School Improvement Advisory Committee, the Health Curriculum Review Committee, the Valerius PTO, and was a Girl Scout Leader for Urbandale girls for 8 years. My husband and I are parents of two Urbandale Middle Schoolers and take an active role in their education. I am also a Registered Nurse with additional training as a Peer Supporter and a CPR/First Aid Instructor.
What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing the District?
I think that maintaining Urbandale as a competitive school district will require creative thinking and new collaborative solutions. Educator turnover is a huge problem in education, and Urbandale is not spared from that. In order to draw and retain top teachers and staff, we need to make sure we are creating a culture where they feel valued, respected, and are well compensated. Student safety is a top priority to me, both physical and emotional. We need to ensure that students feel safe and cared for at school, otherwise they will not be able to learn. Finally, responsible spending is something that should always be considered. This is complicated by the loss of revenue to public schools from ESA plans, and that will need to be taken into account. We have a responsibility to consider current and future needs of Urbandale students and staff with all financial decisions we make.
How will the UCSD Mission and Vision guide your work as a leader in the District?
Urbandale’s Mission of Teaching All, Reaching All and Vision of Bringing Learning to Life for Everyone should guide all that we do as School Board Directors. I am passionate about ensuring ALL kids receive high quality, rigorous, safe education. I especially have a heart for students who fall outside the “middle” of the education spectrum and have special challenges, like our Extended Learning Program (formerly known as talented and gifted), Special Education, and English Language Learner students. These are students that can sometimes get left behind because of their extra educational needs, and it’s important that we make sure they, like all students, are being appropriately challenged and supported.
Hannah Horton Contact Information:
Rachel Kent
How will your experiences as a leader support your work on the UCSD Board?
I am a parent of five children, three of whom are students in the district and two who are proud UHS graduates. Decisions that I make as a board member will directly affect my own children and family. We have had children in the district for seventeen years and have many more years to go.
I am a former preschool teacher, so I know how hard our teachers, staff, and administration work to help students succeed. I also know the importance of parent/teacher teamwork from both sides of the team.
I have been an advocate of education through Save the Children Action Network (S.C.A.N.) and have met with Iowa Representatives and Senators at the State Capitol as well as in D.C. about the importance that early childhood education has on students and their families.
I have coached and led several activities and clubs that the Kent children have participated in; many with no previous knowledge or experience of the activity prior to jumping all in. I was a Den Leader and Committee Chair for a Cub Scout Pack for five years, a middle school mock trial coach, S.C.A.N. advocate, and academic decathlon volunteer and chaperone.
I volunteer any time I can in our classrooms and schools and help our PTOs as much as I can. Supporting all our teachers and students and showing my own kids that this is a priority for me has always been important to me.
As a Director I have made the Board and its work a top priority as exhibited by my attendance at board and district events; I have been accessible to all my constituents; my commitment to building and working through relationships within the board, district, and community; I have made visits to schools to touch base and see how things are going first-hand; and many others ways.
What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing the District?
- A division amongst our community. It is easy to point fingers and place blame and hard to set aside our different opinions to listen for understanding and work on a solution together. Our current board has worked incredibly hard to build trust with all stakeholders, but there is still work to be done and I hope to continue the progress.
- As I visit with stakeholders and constituents a frequent topic that comes up is supporting our teachers and staff in every facet. Comparable work loads are not easily achieved when your student body is fluid, but making the best attempt, acknowledgement when the result is not ideal, understanding the challenges that can be created, and providing different/additional support are helpful. While I believe this is happening it is something that needs constant attention.
- Attracting and retaining teachers and staff. Progress has been made on creating a pay scale and structure that is comparable to the scales that our neighboring districts use. There has been success with using district funds wisely to allow increasing wages and minimizing the cost of insurance premiums for our employees. With the state, and nation, experiencing a teacher shortage we need to continue to be resourceful and think outside of the box so that we can attract and fill our positions with highly qualified educators.
How will the UCSD Mission and Vision guide your work as a leader in the District?
District Mission: Teach all/Reach all.
When our teachers, administration, and staff are truly reaching ALL they are, by default, teaching all. Public schools are institutions that provide much more to their students and families than academics. The Urbandale School District does a wonderful job of providing excellent academics and uses resources wisely so that their impact is as great as it can be. Policies that support our educators are the foundation of our district’s, teachers’, and students’ success and bright future. There will always be room for improving the ALL aspect in our schools and that will continue to be at the forefront of all my actions as a Director.
District Vision: Urbandale will be a school district that brings learning to life for everyone.
I know from personal experience, as a parent and teacher, that students that are engaged and active learners retain “lessons” easier and without realizing it, and they have fun and want more. Every student deserves to enjoy school and feel that their personal experiences bring value and depth to not only their class but what is being taught. Our students are our greatest asset in the district and each of them should know and feel that.
Rachel Kent Contact Information:
515-337-3723
Marc Salmon
How will your experiences as a leader support your work on the UCSD Board?
I am a CPA small business owner and have served in numerous leadership positions, including as a current Board Member of Urbandale Golf & Country Club and Past President of the Iowa Commercial Real Estate Association. As an Urbandale native, I have the unique perspective of having seen Urbandale transition from a growing, outer suburb thirty years ago, to its current position as a mature, inner suburb. I have also spent the past year and half attending board meetings and leading the effort for Urbandale to be proactive to this changing dynamic.
What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing the District?
With our kindergarten enrollment at a 20-year low, I believe the most pressing issue facing the district is declining enrollment. As a land-locked school district, we face intense competition for families and students from the rapidly growing districts that surround us, including West Des Moines, Dallas Center Grimes, Johnston, along with the new Des Moines Christian High School slated to be built literally next door to Webster Elementary School. Now is the time to be as welcoming and attentive to existing and prospective parents of the District as we can possibly be.
How will the UCSD Mission and Vision guide your work as a leader in the District?
I will bring a new perspective and commitment to put the Urbandale community first. With this in mind, my primary goal is to change the culture of the Urbandale Community School District and Board. I believe in honesty and transparency, and that the majority voices of parents, students, and teachers outweigh those of the Superintendent and Board President. If elected, this will happen quickly, so I will only serve one four year term. I will bring the voice of the Urbandale community back to the District and Board, and those of us that choose to raise our kids, work, or retire in Urbandale.
Rodrigo Santizo
How will your experiences as a leader support your work on the UCSD Board?
I’ve been fortunate to have a 24 year career in law enforcement that has given me multiple opportunities to work with the community in Des Moines, to include four years as an SRO and two years as the supervisor of the SRO unit where I built relationships with students, parents, school staff, and district staff. I also had the privilege to coach our youth in baseball and flag football. Watching them grow and develop has inspired me to be more involved in their educational future.
What do you believe are the most pressing issues facing the District?
The limit on property tax revenue affects the district’s budget and has left it to be more reliant on state policy; the recent 2.0% funding to education by the state legislation is not sufficient enough to meet the growing needs and costs of school districts. Another issue that our school district recently faced was the unwillingness to pursue the change to the Little Hawk Conference from the CIML. Our district continues to be challenged by its student body size, while neighboring districts continue to grow; the change offered our student-athletes to be more competitive in the Little Hawk Conference, while still having the ability to play CIML schools.
How will the UCSD Mission and Vision guide your work as a leader in the District?
Providing an accessible education to everyone is paramount for our community, and it is our responsibility as a district to make that happen. I will make sure to have a practical approach that includes listening to all perspectives and facts that will guide me to the best decision for our district. I also have a unique vested interest at all levels of our district having a child at Webster Elementary, UMS, and UHS. I have devoted 24 years of my career to serving the community of Des Moines; I now want to devote more time to serving the community I live in.
