Meet the Candidates - Four seek election to GHV

School elections in Iowa are Tuesday, Nov. 2. Four candidates are running for election to fill three at-large director seats on the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Board of Education.

Candidates are incumbent school board members Jay Larkin and Jack Toppin. Challengers are Dan Goll and Scott Gaskill.

Dan Goll

Dan Goll is a grain and livestock farmer.  He manages the family farm near Garner.

 •Why are you running for GHV school board? If elected, what strengths or insights will you bring to that position?

I’m running because I believe in serving your community and serving others. I was a member of the Garner Volunteer Ambulance Service for over 22 years and truly enjoyed my time on the service. As our kids became more involved in school and sports my wife and I made the decision to step away from GVAS and spend more time with our kids.

Running for the school board has been something that I’ve wanted to do and the time seems right. We have a great school system in Garner that we should all be very proud of. I believe that I’m a good listener and problem solver and if elected I can bring those skills to the school board.

• What do you see as the top priorities or goals for Garner-Hayfield-Ventura?

Local control and our school board making decisions that work for our school. What works for one school district doesn’t mean it works for all school districts across the state. I believe that local control over our school system is what’s best for our kids.

Covid has been and is a hot topic. I believe that our school district has handled covid and all the issues that come along with it to the best of their abilities. I worry about the number of kids that have fallen behind their fellow classmates through lost time in the classroom. Studies show that children learn best when in the classroom and I believe as a school district we have to do our best to keep them there.

•Other comments:

My wife, Traci and I, have three children, our youngest being a junior in high school. Traci and I both graduated from Garner-Hayfield and all three of our kids have/will graduate from Garner-Hayfield Ventura. There’s not a better place to live and raise your kids.

Jack Toppin

Jack Toppin is employed at Interstate Battery and has a farming operation with his brother. He has served on the Garner-Hayfield/GHV School Board for three terms. Throughout his tenure as a school board member he has served on the following committees: Finance, Building and Grounds, Transportation, Negotiations and the Garner-Hayfield Education Foundation. He is a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Garner.

•Why are you running for GHV school board? If elected, what strengths or insights will you bring to that position?

I am seeking re-election to the GHV Board of Education to continue my involvement in assuring student who attend the GHV School District receive a quality education. Our school district’s vision is to build positive relationships, inspire passion for learning, and prepare for the future. I will continue to assist with the implementation of this vision.

Receiving a quality education is a key factor that contributes to a person’s quality of life. It's important our students receive an education that builds on their potential and prepares them for future success. Wirh many educations options available for school choice, it's imperative for the GHV School District to stand out from surrounding schools. I’m proud of what our school district has to offer students.

As a school board member, I will continue to assist GHV to meet the ever-changing demands on our district to meet state mandates, address tough economic times, and ensure safety issues such as dealing with Covid.

One strength I bring to the GHV School Board is my past experience as a board member. My board service gives me great insight such as increasing student achievement, confronting and dealing with budgetary issues, building projects, and maintaining the safety of our students and staff.

A second strength I bring to the school board is my ability to make tough financial decisions when necessary. I am a firm believer it’s important as a board member to continually analyze expenditures to meet our district’s mission and goals. A school district needs to be a good steward with it’s resources. I believe budgetary decisions need to positively impact student learning while staying within its means to meet the educational needs of students. Additionally, providing qualify on-going staff training and updated curriculum to accomplish our district’s vision for student learning.

• What do you see as the top priorities or goals for Garner-Hayfield-Ventura?

I believe the top priorities of being a GHV School Board member include ensuring the safety of our students and staff, being fiscally responsible with our resources/finances, and increasing student achievement. The safety of our students and staff should always be a priority in our day-to-day operations.

Fiscal responsibility helps ensure our district’s quality reputation, solvency, and longevity. Increasing student achievement will prepare our students to compete effectively in an ever-changing society upon graduating from the GHV School District.

•Other comments:

The GHV School District’s mission is to prepare students for a successful future in a kind, caring and compassionate way. Continuing the work of this mission statement by serving another term on the GHV School Board would be an honor. I welcome the opportunity to serve you.

Scott Gaskill

Scott Gaskill and family have lived in the Garner community for 10 years. Scott and Jenna have three children: daughter Kaelyn (8^thGrade), son Kaden (6^thGrade) and son Caysen (4^thGrade).  

Gaskill is a 2001 Lake Mills Community Schools graduate. He received his AA Degree from Waldorf University and received my BA Degree from the University of Northern Iowa.  He is employed by Bayer CropScience as a Field Sales Representative and works in North Central Iowa with local Ag Retailers and local growers promoting the company’s Crop Protection Portfolio. 

•Why are you running for school board? If elected, what strengths or insights will you bring to that position?

With 3 children who currently attend GHV Schools, I believe it is important for us as parents to be actively involved in decisions that effect their day to day lives at school. I am currently involved in their activities outside of school, coaching their youth sports teams, my wife and I have taught their Sunday School classes, and teaching them what a good work ethic looks like with the different jobs I’m involved in outside of my daily career.

If elected, the strengths I would bring to our school board is being responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large, encouraging an open dialog.  As a coach of my children’s different sports, it is important to have open communication with the players parents and being responsive/receptive to what their concerns or questions may be about their child or the team. 

With my current job in local agriculture, as well as being involved as a coach for many youth sports, I feel that I will bring insight from the community, from the conversations I have with customers as well as parents of children that attend our schools on a frequent basis.

•What do you see as the top priorities or goals for Garner-Hayfield-Ventura?

Having an administration, teachers, and staff who work together to provide the necessary opportunities students need to reach their full potential is something I see as a top priority and goal for GHV. 

Our school board should represent our community, and act on their behalf, to ultimately help guide the decisions that are made to ensure our students be well-educated and successful, now, and in the future.

Jay Larkin

Jay Larkin is owner/operator of Larkin Radon & Construction, LLC, Garner. He has been a member of the GHV Board of education the past 4 years.

•Why are you running for school board? If elected, what strengths or insights will you bring to that position?

I am re-running for school board to continue to build and maintain a high quality school district for every child.

•What do you see as the top priorities or goals for Garner-Hayfield-Ventura?

I see our number one priority to offer a high quality education to all students that attend GHV.  We also need to make sure, as a district, we are being financially responsible, not just in the current year, but looking into future years.

Other comments:

These last four years as part of the school board have been both challenging and rewarding. I've enjoyed serving the last four years and would enjoy the opportunity to continue to serve the GHV district.