The Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) School Board works behind the scenes to implement policies, make decisions and create budgets for the district. Among these board members is director Lisa Williams.
Because serving on the school board is an unpaid position, Williams’ dedication comes purely from a desire to make a difference in the lives of students and families.
“It’s always been really important to me to give back to my community in some way, shape or form,” Williams stated.
Williams’ experience as a federal prosecutor impacts the way that she makes decisions on the board. By taking a data-driven approach, she can make informed decisions that benefit the entire district.
“I found that it helps bring an analytical mindset to the board,” said Williams. “When we learn of a problem, or we are thinking through an issue, I like to approach it logically and rely on the data.”
Williams reflected on the impact these decisions can have on families and shared the difficulty of having to make decisions for an entire district.
“We have to make decisions based on the district as a whole, not one individual family’s situation. That is what can be really tough because the decisions we make can negatively impact people,” Williams expressed. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing the needs of the broader school community.
“You have to take a step back and say, ‘Is this what is best for the district?’” said Williams.
Serving an elected position means that Williams needs to campaign to generate publicity for herself.
“I actually found the best part of campaigning is talking to people and voters. I really enjoy that because you get to learn more about a lot of different experiences happening in the district,” Williams stated.
Listening to community members has helped Williams shape her vision for the district and better understand the needs of students and families. A massive priority for both Williams and the ICCSD School Board as a whole is addressing funding concerns.
“One way to deal with funding is to be really smart about where we spend our dollars and try to be as efficient as possible,” Williams continued, “It is really important that we are spending money in all the right places because we don’t have money to waste.”
Serving on the school board is incredibly fulfilling for Williams. Leading initiatives and seeing them implemented throughout the district brings her a sense of pride. The initiative she is most proud of is the expansion of educational opportunities for preschool children.
“We can now provide a full day of preschool for free for all of our low-income students in the district. I think this is going to be a game changer,” she expressed.
Williams stressed the impact that her decisions can have on others. Being mindful and cognizant of others is essential to her approach as a school board member.
“I just want to make sure that I understand how changing policies are going to impact everybody,” she said. “I am not on the school board to impose my will. I see it as a public service position where I speak for the community.”
