The Ames Community gathered to vote in the local elections on Nov. 4, 2025.

School board elections: Ames elects 2 new members; Gilbert candidates tie for two positions

by Kyle Werner, Reporter

Published November 5, 2025

The Ames School Board will have two familiar faces and two new faces after this year’s election.

Three ran for three at-large seats — Kelly Winfrey, Art Baumgartner and Jennifer Tipton — while Aaron Rodriguez ran to fill an at-large vacancy. All were uncontested.

Aaron Rodriguez currently sits on the board after being appointed in 2024. This was his first time on a ballot.

Winfrey initially ran for school board in 2021, and currently serves as the board president.

Read the Ames Voice Q&A with the candidates for the Ames School Board.

The four candidates for Ames School Board in Tuesday’s election, all of whom were elected in uncontested races. Clockwise from top left: Kelly Winfrey, Jennifer Tipton, Aaron Rodriguez and Arthur “Art” Baumgartner

Director, At-large

Kelly Winfrey: 3,756 votes (33.19%)
Jennifer Tipton: 3,732 (32.97%)
Art Baumgartner: 3,723 (32.89%)

Director, At-large to fill a vacancy

Aaron Rodriguez: 4,011 (98.87%)

Read about the city election results here.

Ballard Community School District

The Ballard School Board will have two new faces after this year’s election: Amanda Philgreen and Ben Jensen.

Philgreen ran for the at-large seat, while Ben Jensen ran for the District 3 seat. Both were uncontested seats.

Ballard schools span areas in Boone, Story and Polk counties.

Director, At-large

Amanda Philgreen: 963 votes (97.67%)

Director District 3

Ben Jensen: 946 (97.23%)

Gilbert Community School District

Gilbert School Board will have a familiar face after this year’s election: Josh Bennett, the incumbent, will continue his time on the board.

Two candidates, Dakota Hoben and Jerud Thompson, received the same number of votes out of 2,156 total in unofficial results, according to the Iowa Secretary of State. The results could change when official election results are released in the coming days.

There were two director at-large positions open. Jossie Gray was also on the ballot.

The Gilbert Community School District covers the city of Gilbert and rural areas to the north, east and west, as well as a portion of northern Ames. It spans areas of Boone and Story counties.

Director, At-large

Josh Bennett: 802 votes (37.20%)
Dakota Hoben: 464 (21.52%)
Jerud Thompson: 464 (21.52%)
Jossie Gray: 415 (19.25%)

Gilbert Schools residents also voted on a public measure to reauthorize the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. The current tax rate of $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value will continue.

Public measure

Yes: 904 (68.28%)
No: 420 (31.72%)

Newly elected directors to the Nevada School Board are Emily Shaack, left, and Tori Carsrud.

Nevada Community School District

The Nevada School Board will have two new faces after this year’s election: Tori Carsrud and Emily Shaack. In total, 2,879 votes were cast.

There were two at-large positions on the ballot this year. Tim Hadley and Katie Woodard also ran for election.

Director, At-large (2)

Tori Carsrud: 809 votes (28.10%)
Emily Shaack: 756 (26.26%)
Tim Hadley: 663 (23.03%)
Katie Woodard: 628 (21.81%)

Nevada Schools residents also voted on a public measure to reauthorize the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. The current tax rate of $0.67 per $1,000 of assessed property value will continue.

Public measure

Yes: 1,226 (73.77%)
No: 436 (26.23%)

Two of the newly elected directors to the United School Board, Rachael Gross and Ben Hershey.

United Community School District

The United School Board will have three new faces after this year’s election: Lori Weyhrich, Rachel Gross and Ben Hershey.

There were three positions open: director at-large, district 1 director to fill a vacancy, and district 2 director.

Weyhrich will assume the role of director at-large; Gross takes the district 1 seat; and Ben Hershey wins district 2.

Ryan Arndorfer, former board member George Mosby, and Samantha Perry, also ran for election. Read the Ames Voice Q&A with the candidates for the United School Board.

The United Community School District covers Jordan, Luther and Napier, and the rural areas between Ames and Boone. It spans areas of Boone and Story counties.

Director, At-large

Lori Weyhrich: 126 votes (92.65%)

Director, District 1 to fill a vacancy

Rachel Gross: 57 (39.58%)
Ryan Arndorfer: 46 (31.94%)
George Mosby: 41 (28.47%)

Director, District 2

Ben Hershey: 78 (56.12%)
Samantha Perry: 61 (43.88%)