The picks are in: Who the Iowa City teacher's union endorses for school board and why

The endorsement is in; the union representing 700 educators in Iowa City schools wants to keep incumbents Shawn Eyeston and Paul Roesler on the board and elect newcomers Lisa Williams and Charlie Eastham.

While he didn't make the endorsement list, candidate Michael Tilley was given an honorable mention for his "potential" to be a strong member of the board. 

These five candidates are competing for four spot on the board alongside candidates Stephanie VanHousen and Julie VanDyke, who have both expressed distrust in the school district's leadership and stressed a need to change the culture at ICCSD.

The election will take place on Nov. 5, with early voting already underway. 

In making their endorsement, the ICEA approved of incumbent board members' track record of "consistent collaboration" on the board. Specifically, the ICEA approved of the board's decision to advocate for an additional 4.5% of state funding and the board's decision to reintroduce bargaining rights stripped away by the state legislature.

In contract negotiations with the union that represents school secretaries in 2018, the school board opted to take advantage of legislative changes and only consent to discussing base wages at the negotiation table, a move met with protest.

Since then, the school board has agreed in ICEA contact negotiations to discuss issues other than only wages, including benefits related to leave, professional development, and workplace conditions.

"Eyestone and Roesler have shown unwavering support for educators by twice voting to keep all permissible contract language in the certified negotiated agreements," said a statement from ICEA. 

In recommending Williams, the ICEA noted her "teacher-centered responses" at a Monday candidate forum and her volunteer work coaching the mock trial team at City High. Williams, who is married to an ICCSD teacher, is an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Iowa, which the ICEA officials say gives her a unique perspective.

"Williams distinguished herself as a candidate with insights engendered from her work in our justice system about the critical role of education as a pathway to success for our students," reads the recommendation. 

Union leaders liked Eastham's "tireless work on equity," namely his participation in ICCSD Equity Committee, the Black Voices Project and the Johnson County Interfaith Coalition. 

"ICEA felt strongly that Charlie Eastham's perspectives, advocacy, and community connections will bring a vital component and voice to the Board," reads the statement, 

The union's executives settled on the decision based on candidates' responses in the ICEA's own questionnaires and interviews as well as the candidates' and participation in the forum co-hosted by the ICEA and the Press-Citizen. 

Still, union leaders liked Tilley's emphasis on serving students who are vulnerable in the district and his advocacy for a more "data-driven" approach.

"Tilley has the potential to be a strong, insightful director who focuses on data-based decision-making processes that are solution-centered and forward-looking," reads the statement. 

READ MORE: Press-Citizen candidate Q&As can be found here: 

• Charlie Eastham 
• Shawn Eyestone
• Paul Roesler
• Michael Tilley 
• Julie VanDyke
• Stephanie VanHousen
• Lisa Williams