Dryer is leaving the Ames School Board. How will his spot be filled?

The Ames Community School Board has a vacant seat to fill.

Board Director William "Scott" Dryer is stepping down by Dec. 1 to take a job at Iowa State University.

Dryer's resignation was announced during Monday's board meeting.

Dryer, who was elected to the board in 2023, has accepted a position as a clinical experience coordinator at Iowa State's School of Education.

Dryer said he didn't feel like he could give the school board the time it deserves in his new role, though he said he will miss serving.

"I feel like we've got a fantastic board that works hard to do what's best for the students," Dryer said. "I've really enjoyed my time on the board, working with this particular board and with (Superintendent) Scott Grimes and (former Superintendent) Julius Lawson."

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The Ames school board will fill Dryer's vacant seat by appointment. The board has until the end of December to fill the position.

Interested candidates must submit an application to the board explaining why they're interested and how their past experiences might be helpful.

The final round of candidates will be interviewed by the board at a public meeting, a process that has been done to fill vacancies in the past.

The school board will publish the notice of vacancy in the Ames Tribune.

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A special election can be invoked within a two-week window after the opening has been published. School Board President Kelly Winfrey said a petition with a minimum of 744 signatures is required. The special election would cost an estimated $20,000-$25,000.

Winfrey said the only day a special election could occur would be Dec. 10, due to the general election and remaining timeframe.

Dryer's replacement will serve until November 2025. The board member must then run in that year's election in order to fill the remainder of the four-year term, which expires in 2027.

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at [email protected].