This post was a group effort by Johnston Public Schools Supporters, a bipartisan political action committee.

The future of the Johnston Community School District (JCSD) is not merely decided in classrooms or on playing fields; it is shaped in the ballot box. On November 4, 2025, Johnston voters face a critical choice, one that determines whether our tax dollars will continue to build world-class public education or be diverted to systems with zero accountability. The decision is clear: we must elect the unified, experienced, and dedicated team of Justin Smith, Kaycee Schippers, and Rexford Davidson to the Johnston School Board.

This slate of candidates—a veteran educator, an engaged parent and paralegal, and a JCSD alumnus—represents the very best of our community. They will bring a formidable mix of classroom experience, legal knowledge, fiscal prudence, common sense leadership and deep, personal commitment to the Johnston School Board. More importantly, they are united on the singular, defining issue of this election: the unwavering protection and robust enhancement of our public schools as the foundational cornerstone of the Johnston community.

THE DEFINING STANCE: PROTECTING PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Across Iowa, public education is facing unprecedented political challenges, primarily driven by the push to divert taxpayer money to private institutions through measures like Education Savings Accounts (commonly known as school vouchers). On this issue, Smith, Schippers, and Davidson stand shoulder-to-shoulder, providing a decisive, unified front for fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Justin Smith, a parent, veteran, and high school teacher with over a decade in the classroom, draws a clear line: “I believe public dollars should stay in public schools.” His stance is not just ideological; it’s rooted in the core democratic principle of accountability. He argues that if private schools accept public funds, they must be held to the “same standards as public schools, accepting all students and following the same rules.” Anything less, he rightly asserts, “creates an uneven playing field.” Smith promises to be a voice for taxpayers who demand both excellence and accountability for every dollar spent.

Kaycee Schippers, a long-time Johnston parent and dedicated volunteer, echoes this sentiment with fierce conviction. Having been a proud Johnston parent for 24 years, she views the current legislative environment as an “attack” on public education and teachers. She is “absolutely against public tax dollars funding private schools,” pointing out the crucial lack of transparency in their budgeting and the inequity that allows them to “pick and choose” students while public schools are mandated to serve everyone—including those requiring costly special education and career/technical programs. Schippers’ background as a paralegal gives her a keen eye for legal requirements and institutional transparency, making her an invaluable guardian of public trust and funding.

Rexford Davidson, an alumnus of Johnston High School and a young father whose daughter has just started kindergarten, frames the funding debate in terms of community identity and vitality. He understands that the JCSD is the essential “selling point” the community needs to “effectively compete for a smaller pool of young families.” Davidson warns of the dire long-term consequences of defunding public education, worrying that the ability for public schools to be adequately resourced will be “irreparably impacted” if we do not prioritize them. For Davidson, ensuring public funds stay with public schools is an investment in Johnston’s future viability and its ability to support a robust middle class.

Together, these three candidates form a strong defense for the parents of Johnston children who simply want their kids to have a hopeful and prosperous future. Electing these candidates sends an undeniable message to Des Moines and the entire state: Johnston will prioritize its public classrooms, its dedicated staff, and its community’s future over ideological experiments that dismantle the very institutions that have made our district a leader.

THE COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE: SUPPORTING OUR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS

A great school district is defined by the quality and dedication of its educators. Smith, Schippers, and Davidson all recognize that supporting teachers is not a secondary concern but a central pillar of maintaining academic excellence.

As an active teacher, Justin Smith offers a unique, current perspective on the challenges facing our faculty, particularly teacher shortages. His priority is to support teachers by giving them the “tools they need to succeed” and ensuring JCSD remains a desirable place to work. This perspective—from inside the classroom—is indispensable for practical, effective policy making.

Rexford Davidson, who comes from a family of educators, expands on this idea, calling for policies that not only attract but retain talented staff. He champions the idea that teachers need “necessary resources, support, and flexibility to perform their jobs to the best of their ability.” His concern that “rigid standardization prevents teachers from giving themselves in the most authentic, creative, and effective ways possible” shows an understanding that true excellence requires trusting and empowering professionals, not micromanaging them.

Kaycee Schippers directly addresses the need to protect teachers from external pressures, stating her plan to “do everything in my power to stand up to these attacks and help protect our students, teachers, and administrators.” This activist approach is vital for ensuring the School Board remains a bulwark against attempts to politicize the classroom or undermine the professionalism of our staff. A vote for this slate of candidates is a vote to give our teachers the respect, resources, and protection they deserve.

THE WELL-ROUNDED JOHNSTON DRAGON: ARTS, EARLY LEARNING, AND FUTURE READINESS

The Johnston tradition of academic excellence has always been about more than just test scores; it’s about graduating healthy and well-rounded citizens prepared for life. Smith, Schippers, and Davidson are fiercely protective of the programs that achieve this.

All three candidates are passionately committed to the arts. Rexford Davidson, whose wife teaches music and who participated in numerous vocal programs at JHS, states unequivocally, “I believe education without the arts is not education. Funding and promoting the arts is essential and non-negotiable.” Kaycee Schippers, deeply involved as a volunteer with the “world-class” Vocal Music Program, is committed to ensuring Johnston continues to offer “some of the best opportunities for sports and activities.” Justin Smith emphasizes that arts programs build essential, transferable skills like “confidence, creativity, and teamwork.”

Beyond the arts, Smith is focused on adapting JCSD for the twenty-first-century economy, specifically calling for the expansion of early learning opportunities and preparing students for the “workforce of tomorrow,” where skills in technology, problem-solving, and communication are critical. This focus on strong starts and future-ready skills, coupled with the commitment to the arts, ensures that every Johnston Dragon is prepared for college, career, and citizenship.

A COMPLEMENTARY AND UNIFIED TEAM

Together, the strength of this slate of candidates is not just in their common ground, but in how their individual experiences seamlessly complement one another:

1. Justin Smith (educator and strategist): He brings the daily reality of the classroom, combined with the disciplined, mission-focused approach of a veteran, ensuring fiscal responsibility is married to educational quality.
2. Kaycee Schippers (advocate and parent voice): She offers the critical perspective of a parent who has navigated the JCSD system for decades, coupled with the detail-oriented, advocacy mindset of a paralegal and volunteer leader. She is the community’s passionate voice.
3. Rexford Davidson (alumnus and visionary): He brings the institutional memory of JCSD and the crucial, forward-looking perspective of a young parent who understands that the district’s reputation is key to the community’s growth.

The school board is currently dealing with political fragmentation that has “hampered productivity,” as Davidson notes. This election is an opportunity to replace division with a united, professional team committed to collaboration and student success. Smith, Schippers, and Davidson are the leaders who can refocus the Board’s energy where it belongs: on the students, the teachers, and the community.

On November 4, 2025, Johnston voters have a chance to secure the district’s legacy of excellence. Electing Justin Smith, Kaycee Schippers, and Rexford Davidson is the necessary step to protect our public schools, empower our educators, and ensure that the JCSD remains the single greatest asset of our community for generations to come. They deserve your vote.

---

Editor’s note: Bleeding Heartland welcomes guest commentaries supporting progressive or Democratic candidates for the November 2025 city and school board elections. Please reach out to Laura Belin if you are interested in writing.