Five candidates are vying for three at-large seats on the Saydel school board. That includes incumbent Michael Mortensen and challengers Ryan Buman, Dianne Cooper, Ashley Frantz and Josh Mullin.
Each voter will select three candidates, and the top three will be elected to the board.
The Des Moines Register asked each candidate to respond to questions on why they’re running and the issues facing their school district. Their answers may be lightly edited for clarity or length.
The election is Nov. 4.
Ryan Buman
Ryan Buman
Current occupation: Ground EMS EMT
Education background: Some college
Where did you grow up? Mount Ayr
Political experience: Previous member of the Saydel school board
Age: 44
Dianne Cooper
Dianne Cooper
Current occupation: Certified registered nurse anesthetist
Education background: Master of Science nurse anesthesia
Where did you grow up? Belleville, Illinois
Political experience: Volunteered at elections and caucuses, door-knocking
Age: 70
Ashley Frantz
Ashley Frantz
Current occupation: L3/ID— special education
Education background: DMACC
Where did you grow up? I am a Saydel alumni and lived in the district my entire life.
Political experience: I do not have a formal political background, but I have been deeply involved in the Saydel community for many years. I currently serve on several district committees and volunteer regularly at school events and activities.
Age: 38
Michael Mortensen (incumbent)
Michael Mortensen
Current occupation: Deputy eirector, Veteran Affairs
Education background: Graduated East High School in Des Moines. Multiple years of military education and training
Where did you grow up? Des Moines
Political experience: Current Saydel School District board vice president, past president of the Iowa Association of County Veteran Services, current Legislative Liaison for same organization
Age: 40
Josh Mullin
Josh Mullin
Current occupation: Realtor
Education: Saydel Graduate 2004
Where did you grow up? I grew up right here in the Saydel Community. I attended Norwoodville Elementary, then Woodside Middle School and Saydel High School.
Political experience: None
Age: 39
Why are you running?
Buman: I have a deep love for Saydel schools. While I grew up in a small town in southern Iowa, my daughters have grown up here — and we’ve truly made this community our home. Saydel is special: it’s small enough to really know and support our students, but big enough to offer them incredible opportunities. Having previously served on the school board as an appointee, I understand the responsibility and collaboration it takes to serve well. I’m also deeply committed to listening to our families and community. Together, we can keep making Saydel the best it can be for all of our students.
Cooper: I am an advocate for public education and want to be part of the process in the area where I live. The students of the Saydel School District need an education that will prepare them to face the future with grace and knowledge in order to make our world a better place. They need the skills to problem solve, compromise, understand issues, and be educated on history in order to confidently form opinions, and work together to be ready to participate in society.
Frantz: I’m running for the Saydel school board because I care deeply about our students, staff, and community. As a proud Saydel alum, lifelong educator, and parent of fourth-generation Saydel students, this district means everything to me. I want to help ensure Saydel continues to be a place where every child feels supported, every teacher feels valued, and every family feels connected. My goal is to preserve the strong foundation we have while continuing to grow and improve for the future.
Mortensen: Educators played a huge role in my life. When I think back to some of the most influential people in my life, I think of the teachers I had. They are the ones who gave me direction, guidance, compassion and allowed me to recognize my purpose. Being a member of the school board allows me the opportunity to give back to the systems that helped me so much. I also have a strong willingness to serve my community. After retiring from military service, I was actively looking for another opportunity to serve. It is truly an honor to be a voice for our community and to serve my neighbors.
Mullin: I’m running for the Saydel school board because I believe every student deserves the best opportunities to succeed. Our schools should prepare students not just academically, but also with the skills and confidence they need for life beyond the classroom. As a Saydel graduate, I’ve seen firsthand the pride and dedication our community has for this district, and I want to help ensure that tradition continues. Serving on the school board is an opportunity to give back to the district that gave so much to me, and I am dedicated to helping every student reach their full potential.
What do you think is the most important issue facing the school district and what would you do to address it?
Buman: One of the most important issues facing our district is keeping great teachers and staff — because students succeed when they have consistent, supportive adults in their lives. As a board member, I can help by supporting fair pay, professional development, and making sure staff have what they need to do their jobs well. I also believe we need to take a close look at what’s not working — whether that’s outdated resources, broken processes, or communication gaps — and fix them. I’m committed to listening, asking the right questions, and working with others to make real improvements that put students first.
Cooper: The most important issue in the Saydel School District is that of students, parents, teachers and staff working together to optimize the educational experience. This requires our community to be involved to ensure that our educators have the tools and support they need to ensure each student reaches their potential. We have to work together and communicate in order for the district to meet these needs.
Frantz: One of the most important issues facing our district is retaining and supporting quality teachers and staff. Great schools start with great educators, and we need to make sure Saydel continues to be a place where talented people want to work and stay. That means providing competitive pay, meaningful professional development, manageable class sizes, and a culture of respect and appreciation. When we invest in our teachers, we invest directly in our students. I want to help build a district where both students and staff feel valued, supported, and proud to call Saydel home.
Mortensen: I believe that the most important issue facing our district is the same issue every school district is struggling with. Our schools used to be a key component in our community. They were a centralized hub where students, families and educators all collaborated together to achieve success. Our schools have unfortunately turned into a political battleground. The focus has been turned from cohesion to intentional conflict. My main mission, no matter the subject at hand, is to engage with all stakeholders to ensure their voices are heard and promote a team mentality. We must all come together as one to truly achieve educational excellence.
Mullin: The most important issue facing Saydel today is attracting and keeping the best teachers and staff. Saydel has already made great progress with bold steps like the four-day school week, and we need to keep that momentum going. By continuing to make innovative choices, we can make Saydel a true destination for top educators. My vision is for Saydel to become the “school of choice,” where families are proud to enroll their children and where educators are excited to build their careers.
How can the school district protect LGBTQ students and still comply with state and federal policy changes discouraging gender identity policies?
Buman: As a school board candidate, I believe we can protect all students — including LGBTQ students — while complying with state and federal laws. That means enforcing strong anti-bullying policies, supporting staff with proper training, and fostering a respectful, inclusive environment. We can follow the law and still ensure every student feels safe, supported, and valued.
Cooper: The key goals of public education aim to create well-rounded individuals and ensure a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment for every student. All students in the public school system are to be provided with the resources and support they need to thrive. This requires mutual respect and treating every person with dignity, making bullying and disrespect not tolerated. Be kind. Students, teachers, and support staff must be accountable for this to success. They are each and every one the citizens of our future.
Frantz: Every child matters, and their well-being must always come first. As a district, we can protect all students — including those who identify as LGBTQ — by ensuring our schools remain safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environments. We can do this by emphasizing kindness, anti-bullying education, and mental health support for all students, without violating state or federal policies. Our focus should always be on creating classrooms where every student feels valued, respected, and able to learn without fear or discrimination.
Mortensen: I am a firm believer in following the law. Laws and policies are set by elected officials and should be respected. Changes in law and policies do not change any thought process that I have ever had pertaining to any student in our district. All students and staff will be treated with respect. All students will be treated equally and without discrimination. Our district will follow the law at all times while ensuring our classrooms are a place where all are welcome to learn in a safe environment.
Mullin: Considering recent policy changes I believe Saydel can still protect all our students by continuing to maintain and enforce strong anti-harassment, anti-bullying policies that protect students from harassment based on perceived gender identity and/or sexual orientation. Even though “gender identity” may no longer be a protected class under state civil rights law, any type of harassment or bullying has no place in our schools.
F. Amanda Tugade covers community and faith for the Des Moines Register. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on X @writefelissa.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Meet the candidates running for Saydel school board in 2025
