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Linn-Mar school board candidates share priorities, thoughts on facility plans
Here’s what the four people running for office shared in answers to The Gazette’s questions

Oct. 22, 2025 4:30 pm, Updated: Oct. 23, 2025 7:29 am
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MARION — Four candidates are vying for three seats on the Linn-Mar school board in next month’s election.
The Gazette asked the candidates their priorities, how they will communicate with the public and their thoughts on the district’s facility plans.
The candidates are Laura Thomas, 39, and Midhat Mansoor, 41, both incumbents, Michael Bowling, 44, and Evan Langston, 37.
School boards establish the vision and goals for public schools in their district and set standards for the performance of schools and superintendents.
School boards — whose members are unpaid in Iowa — are responsible for making final financial and policy decisions for their districts.
Election Day is Nov. 4.
Here’s why candidates say they are running
Thomas, who was appointed to the school board to fill a vacancy in February 2024, said she is running for election because she believes “public education is a crucial community asset.”
Thomas, a senior research programmer at Social Policy Research Associates, said she uses her “analytical lens to wade through the complexities of school budgets, policy changes and student achievement data to make the best decisions” she can at the board table.
Mansoor, who also was appointed to the school board to fill a vacancy in October 2024, said the Linn-Mar district is defined by its “strong curriculum, extracurricular participation, dedicated staff and strong community support.”
Mansoor, a financial analyst, said she wants to continue on the school board and working “side by side” with the community to make data-driven decisions.
“I will keep asking the tough questions and will make sure our dollars go where they have the most impact,” Mansoor said.
Bowling, director of program management at Crystal Group, said he is running for school board because “I believe with the right leadership and accountability, we can set a higher bar.”
Bowling has a decade of experience working in educational technology in Texas and South Carolina. “That work taught me the importance of understanding teacher needs, setting district-wide goals and ensuring students ultimately benefit,” he said.
Langston, an engineering project assistant at Collins Aerospace and founder of the nonprofit Cedar valley Working Families, said he is running for school board to “ensure our public education system serves every child well.”
“I believe education is one of the most powerful tools we have to create economic opportunity and equity for future generations,” Langston said. “I believe it’s my civic responsibility to give back — both for my own son and for all families in our community.”
Priorities, if elected
Thomas’s priorities include advocating multiple pathways offered to students, such as college readiness and work-based learning programs; accessible, well-maintained, modern school buildings; and advocating for sustainable and sufficient funding from lawmakers.
“The district budgeting process is a balancing act in meeting our students’ educational needs while using our best guess on what funding we will receive from the state,” Thomas said. “We are required by law to submit our budget on time, but the state legislature consistently misses its own deadline to pass the bill informing Iowa public schools what percent increase in funding they will be receiving. Since that state funding goes into the general fund that pays our largest expense — faculty and staff salaries — it would be beneficial to consistently know our income so we can budget accordingly.”
Mansoor’s top priorities are providing every student with high-quality instruction and support to thrive; retaining and empowering teachers; and building strong partnerships with families and the community, she said.
That means actively listening “to parents and community members (and) ensuring their voices help guide decisions while maintaining responsible stewardship of district resources,” Mansoor said.
Bowling said his priorities are ensuring students meet measurable goals outlined in a district strategic plan; listening and communicating with teachers; and setting high expectations academically.
“I’d like to see preventive measures like ‘stay interviews’ and teacher voice surveys incorporated into the plan to reduce turnover,“ Bowling said. ”I will challenge us to set high expectations that lead to strong outcomes in reading, writing, math, and (science, technology, engineering and the arts), and I’ll advocate for clear, measurable goals tied to those outcomes.“
Langston’s priorities include expanding college and career pathways for students; fiscal responsibility that supports working families; and being transparent and building trust with the community, he said.
“As a former chef and volunteer with the ProStart program, I’ve seen firsthand the value of career and technical education. Not every student’s path leads to college, and that’s OK,” Langston said. “Linn-Mar has already taken great strides in offering alternative pathways, and I want to support and expand these efforts — ensuring every student has access to high-quality programs that match their goals, whether academic, technical or vocational.”
How will you communicate with the public?
Thomas said she is often present at school events and occasionally volunteers in schools. When someone shares frustration with or celebration with her, she listens and “asks questions to understand their experience.”
“I know not everyone feels comfortable reaching out to a board member formally, so I try to be accessible in the informal spaces where parents, teachers and staff actually spend their time,” Thomas said.
“I will always direct people to the proper communication channels first. If you have a concern about a classroom issue, a building policy, or a specific program, there are administrators and staff whose job it is to address those concerns, and they're often better positioned to resolve them quickly,” she said.
Mansoor said the public can expect “consistent communication through email updates from the district, school-sanctioned social media channels and community forums.
She said she plans to volunteer at schools and attend community-sponsored events where she will engage with staff, students and the community, and be available before and after school board meetings.
“I will provide timely responses to questions and concerns, with a commitment to follow through and transparency. Collaboration with district staff to understand challenges and support solutions that improve teaching and learning. I also believe in proactive outreach — not just waiting for concerns to come in, but actively seeking input from underrepresented voices and building trust across the district,” Mansoor said.
Bowling said, if elected, he would listen and be “open and transparent” with the public. When necessary, he would direct them to the right resources.
“A well-communicated vision builds trust, and I intend to lead with that principle,” Bowling said.
Langston said he is committed to “promptly responding” to emails from the public and attend scheduled visits to schools with the school board.
“I will make it a priority to attend these visits to connect directly with students, staff and families,” Langston said. “Beyond formal settings, I’m an active member of the community, and I want people to feel comfortable approaching me in everyday life as well. The public can expect open, respectful, and consistent communication from me, whether through email, in-person conversations, or community events.”
Linn-Mar school facility plans
A five-year facility plan for Linn-Mar schools that began in 2022 included construction of a new administration building, a larger performance venue and an indoor athletic center added to the high school, among other projects.
Many of these projects have been completed or are near completion.
The school board this year green-lit an almost $55 million plan to invest in an indoor activities center and renovate existing athletic spaces in the high school.
Thomas said the district’s facilities advisory committee currently is revisiting its facility master plan to bring new recommendations to the Linn-Mar school board.
“I’m encouraged by the thoughtful research that is going into the assessment of our current facilities and the desire to understand the demographic trends of our district better,” she said. “I will be looking for the prioritization of existing facilities, enhancements to accessibility throughout our buildings and grounds, and projects that support multiple pathways to student success.”
Mansoor, who is a member of the facilities committee, said it’s important to align the district’s infrastructure with the “evolving needs of our students and staff.”
She said the district is working with a demographer to analyze enrollment trends and community growth and facilities assessor to evaluate the condition of district buildings.
“The plan reflects a proactive approach to addressing capacity, equity, and modernization across our schools. I strongly support equitable upgrades that ensure all students have access to safe, high-quality learning environments; flexible and future-ready spaces that support collaboration, technology integration, and diverse learning styles; (and) security enhancements that prioritize the safety of our students and staff,” Mansoor said.
Bowling said he supports the addition of a new indoor activity space, and believes in having a 10-year capital plan that is “responsive to changing needs.”
“As a volunteer coach, I’ve seen firsthand the strain on scheduling caused by limited facilities. I’ve also experienced how well-designed spaces, like the Linn-Mar aquatic center, can bring the community together through events like the Marion sprint triathlon,” Bowling said.
Langston said he supports the district’s facility master plan and appreciates “the forward-thinking decisions it reflects.”
“The district is thoughtfully monitoring enrollment trends, economic conditions and other variables to ensure this plan remains responsive and flexible,” Langston said. “What I especially value is the balanced approach the plan takes — not only addressing immediate capital needs like technology upgrades and annual preventive maintenance — but also anticipating long-term growth by planning a decade in advance for a potential second high school.”
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