Rexford Davidson Johnston School Board Candidate

Get To Know Rexford Davidson

What motivated you to run for the Johnston Board of Education?

Johnston Community School District is foundational to the identity and continued vitality of the Johnston Community. In a time when statistically the number of children being born in Polk County is decreasing and as the cost of everything continues to rise, the Johnston Community needs the Johnston Community School District to be a (if not the) selling point so that our community can effectively compete for a smaller pool of young families to enroll their children into Johnston Schools.

Essential to making this possible is that Johnston attracts talented and dedicated teachers, and that we do our best to serve and support all the outstanding teachers, faculty, and staff who work tirelessly to share their passion and knowledge with Johnston’s students.

Furthermore, we must ensure that teachers have the necessary resources, support, and flexibility to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. While loose standards can improve student outcomes, rigid standardization prevents teachers from giving themselves in the most authentic, creative, and effective ways possible.

There are numerous reasons why I have decided to run for the school board, but at the end of the day, I am interested in giving back to Johnston Schools and to the Johnston Community and helping ensure that Johnston’s schools are the best they can be for students now and in the future.

What areas is the Johnston Board of Education having success and what areas do you believe need improvement?

 I understand that productivity has been hampered by politics. Assuming that everyone on the school board is there to promote student success, I believe that we can work together to ensure that the students, teachers, faculty, and staff have the resources and support necessary so that Johnston schools are and will continue to be the very best that they can be. 

Where do you stand on public funding for private schools?

This is primarily a legislative issue at the State level. My personal opinion is that Public funds should go to public schools. The reality is that parents who elect to send kids to parochial or private school will ultimately see tax subsidies for private schools drive up their tuition costs at those schools, all at the cost of our public education system. If we do not prioritize funding our public schools with public dollars, I worry that the ability for public schools to be adequately resourced to meet the needs of all children and to support a robust middle class will be irreparably impacted.

Are You Able To Help The District Find Ways To Reduce Costs While Delivering The Best Education?

That is absolutely the goal. I believe I have a set of skills that hopefully can help the JCSD school board accomplish these goals.

In your opinion, how important are the arts to public education? 

My mom was an art teacher at Saydel for over 35 years, my wife teaches music in Waukee, I participated in show choir, concert choir, and chamber choir when I went to JHS. I was in the Wartburg Choir in college with my wife. The humanities are the reason many students get up each day to come to school. I believe education without the arts is not education. Funding and promoting the arts is essential and non-negotiable in my opinion. 

Final Thoughts From Rexford Davidson, candidate for the Johnston School Board.

Having lived most of my life in Johnston and as an alumnus of JCSD who also has children who will attend Johnston schools, I would love the opportunity to give back to Johnston Schools and to the Johnston Community. I want to do my part to help ensure that Johnston’s schools are the best they can be for students now and in the future.

Please vote for Rexford G. Davidson for JCSD School Board!