West Des Moines school board seeks applicants for vacant seat

Iowa — The West Des Moines school board is looking for applicants who want to fill a vacant seat now that a board member has left to join the West Des Moines City Council. Board member Fannette Elliott won a runoff election March 17 to serve as an at-large City Council member. Elliott, 68, is a retired marketing manager and a part-time special education substitute assistant who had served on the school board since 2021.

The board accepted her resignation Monday, March 23. The school board is taking applications for Elliott’s successor until April 13. The appointed board member’s term would last until Nov. 22, 2027.

The board plans a special meeting to interview candidates and make a decision on who to appoint at 7 p.m. April 16 in the Community Room of the Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, according to board secretary Katie Scheller.

More information for applicants is available from Scheller at schellerk@wdmcs.org or 515-633-5025.

Voters in the district also have a right to file a petition for a special election to fill the vacancy instead. Once the vacancy is published, voters will have 14 days to file for such an election.

Why it matters: This search for a new school board member underscores the significance of local governance and community engagement in shaping educational policies. It also highlights the potential for increased civic participation in decision-making processes.

What to watch:

• Potential candidates for the vacant seat and their qualifications.
• The impact of this appointment on school board decisions and direction.
• Community response and engagement regarding the appointment process.

Source credibility: Des Moines Register, a reliable local news outlet with a focus on community reporting.

Published: March 26, 2026 1:52 AM

Source: Des Moines Register — https://go.noligarchy.us/WBin7U