Just talk us through how you found the Ames School system and what your priorities were as you came in and thought about this great school system that maybe needed a little more guidance.

Well, the opportunity did arise while I was doing hallway duty at Perry.

Um, I noticed the opening, went home, of course, needed to, uh, talk to my family.

Uh, my wife has supported me through all of this, uh, transitions that I've had.

She's an educator and teacher in Johnston, where I originally came from.

We both were from Johnston.

Uh, I had many people question my decision, um, wonder...

How has, how has this new concept been received as you're talking, uh, to the people that are gonna implement it, and, and where are the resour- how are the resources gonna get where they need to be to do all this?

How has, how has this new concept been received as you're talking, uh, to the people that are gonna implement it, and, and h- where are the resour- how are the resources gonna get where they need to be to do all this?

That's a very, [laughs] that's a very broad question, and, uh, we're working for all of the answers still on that process.

But, uh, the idea of the PK & Beyond is to not add one more thing to the public school system.

It's, it's kind of to help guide the purpose of our curriculum, guide the purpose of why we do what we do, and give us an avenue to connect naturally, uh, and not make it feel like one more thing.

Um, our, our, our goal, uh, with PK & Beyond and those that are on the steering committee is I, I'm trying to merge, uh, private dollars with public dollars, um, in a way that benefits both sides.

Uh, we are challenged more and more with the resources that we have for schools.

Um, and I know businesses are challenged day in and day out with resources when you talk about the economy and, um, just the politics and civic, uh, responsibilities.

[laughs]