The Marshalltown Community School District School Board is made up of seven elected community members and student representatives. School board elections are held every two years. Each school board director brings a unique perspective to the table, based on their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and expertise. This diversity of perspectives helps ensure that decisions made by the board consider a wide range of viewpoints, leading to well-rounded and inclusive outcomes for the school district. The Marshalltown Community School District Board of Education works closely with the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) to ensure compliance on all matters.
The Marshalltown School Board was the recipient of the 2021-22 Team Achievement Award from IASB. This award is presented to a whole board when a majority of its board members receive Individual Award of Achievement certificates for the year and the board has a policy that supports board development, according to IASB.
Below is more information about our board and how to contact them. Please note that emails sent to any or all school board members are considered public records under the Iowa Open Records Law and are subject to disclosure unless it is a protected student, personnel record, or subject to attorney-client privilege.
Sean Heitmann – Board President
Term Ends: 2023
Sean Heitmann moved to Marshalltown in 2003 after graduating law school at the University of Iowa. In addition to his law degree, Heitmann has a business degree from Waldorf College.
Heitmann also volunteers time as a board member of Farmers Savings Bank and Iowa River Hospice. He is a former board member of Marshalltown Area United Way as well.
Heitmann and his wife Megan have two kids who currently attend the district. Heitmann said serving the community by being a part of the MCSD School Board is an honor and a privilege. He added that he is amazed by the students Marshalltown has and impressed by the dedicated staff members who work hard to help our students succeed.
Sara Faltys – Board Vice President
Term Ends: 2023
Sara Faltys has been part of the Marshalltown community since 2015 with her family. She has two children, one that graduated MHS in 2022 and one that is still in the district.
Faltys graduated from University of Iowa with a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. In addition, she has a Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration from Ohio University. She has worked at McFarland Clinic since 2015 and is the Manager of Laboratory Services and Medical Records/Release of Information.
She also volunteers as a member of the Assistance League of Marshalltown and in the district’s classrooms with Junior Achievement. Faltys is passionate about serving the community and being on the school board has been a wonderful way to give back, according to her.
Karina Hernandez
Term Ends: 2025
Karina Hernandez came to Marshalltown in July of 1999 from Los Angeles, California. She attended William Penn University and graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with an ESL endorsement.
She currently works for Marshalltown Community College (MCC) as the Marshalltown Education Partnership (MEP) Program Coordinator. She collaborates with MCSD to provide MHS students the resources they need to graduate and be prepared for college or a career. Prior to working at MCC, she worked for Boys Town, Mid-Iowa Community Action, and as an English Language Learner tutor at Rogers Elementary School. Hernandez volunteers for Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown, Marshall County Community Coalition, and Building Diversity in Leadership.
Hernandez has been married for 28 years and has three children, two are currently pursuing higher education and one currently attends the district. Her passion for education and MCSD developed while at Rogers Elementary as she saw the hard work staff members put in. Hernandez said it is important to her to serve as a board member and help the district move forward towards closing the student achievement gap, increase parent engagement, and advocate for staff and the district needs as a whole.
Jan McGinnis
Term Ends: 2023
Jan McGinnis and her family has been part of the Marshalltown community since 1983. Her two sons are graduates of MHS. McGinnis has a Bachelors Degree from Buena Vista College, now Buena Vista University, and a Masters Degree from Iowa State University.
McGinnis has been teaching students from a wide age range and a variety of institutions since 1979. She has also taught a range of academic subjects and supervised multiple student teachers and practicum students. McGinnis said that her students energize her and motivate her to improve.
McGinnis sees herself as a conduit between the community and the schools in her position as a school board member. She added she wants to to do what she can to improve communication and cooperation among school personnel and the public they serve.
Bonnie Lowry
Term Ends: 2023
Bonnie Lowry moved to Marshalltown in 1968 when she was in eighth grade and is a 1973 graduate of MHS. She went on to spend three years at the University of Oklahoma, studying pre-med and playing basketball. Lowry returned to Iowa to earn a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and special education then later earned a Masters Degree in special education and a K-12 endorsement.
Lowry taught for a year in Johnston before moving back to Marshalltown and teaching in the district. She went on to become the MHS Associate Principal in 1998 and stepped into the head principal role in 2004. Since retiring in 2011, Lowry has worked as a special consultant at the Meskwaki Settlement School, a mental health consultant for Center Associates, and a part time associate for the University of Northern Iowa helping adults in the principalship program.
She also volunteers her time as the president of Live on Stage Marshalltown Board, the vice president of the Community Auditorium Foundation Board, Rotary Board member, and as a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Her and her husband Pat, also an MHS graduate, have two grown children. Lowry said serving on the MCSD School Board has been a privilege and gives her the opportunity to continue to be involved with the District.
Leah Stanley
Term Ends: 2025
Leah Stanley and her husband, Todd, both grew up in Marshalltown and she is a 1995 MHS graduate. They have three children who have or are currently attending the district. Stanley has her Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Spanish from Central College and a Masters degree from the University of Iowa Tippie of College of business.
She has worked at Emerson for 22 years in various roles from Sales to Marketing to Supply Chain. Stanley currently leads one of Emerson’s Strategic Product Business Units. Stanley has also given her time to church committees, Emerson’s Women’s Impact Network, Marshalltown Optimists, Marshalltown YMCA.
Stanley’s family have been active figures within local education, which include her grandfather being principal for many elementary schools in the district, and being apart of the MCSD School Board was a goal of hers. She said she and her husband enjoy Marshalltown because of the opportunities and the potential they see for more. She added a robust school district is one of the keys to enabling that more for the community.
Zach Wahl
Term Ends: 2025
Zach Wahl and his wife, Lindsey, are proud Marshalltown community members and currently have four kids attending the district. Wahl has a degree in Business Administration and Human Resources from Briar Cliff University.
He has been working for Edward Jones Investments since 2007 as a financial advisor. Along with serving the school board, Wahl volunteers as a coach with MFL Football, YMCA youth activities, Oktemberfest, and with planning and organizing a hat and mitten drive for youth in the community.