The incumbents are Dr. Zach Mason and Molly Nelson.

Dan Scott is the newcomer seeking a seat on the school board.

Notably absent from the ballot is board President Dan Altman, who decided not to seek another term.

The ballot was finalized recently when the deadline for filing nominating petitions passed.

Mason and Nelson are seeking their first full terms on the board. Both were appointed last year to fill vacancies.

Nelson was appointed in March 2024 to replace Lisa Shimkat. She is a graduate of Fort Dodge Senior High School and Drake University in Des Moines. She was the first director of the Fort Dodge Community Schools Foundation, serving in that role from 2017 to 2019. She is a TV show host and content strategist for Merkle Retirement Planning.

Mason was appointed in September 2024 to replace Stu Cochrane. He is a chiropractor with Active Health Clinics.

Scott is the chief executive officer of Citizens Community Credit Union. He has a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He is a member of the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance board and the Fort Dodge Community Schools Foundation.

School board members serve four-year terms.

Unlike most other elected officials, newly elected school board members take office before the new year begins. The winners of the Fort Dodge school board election are scheduled to take office Nov 24, about three weeks after the Nov. 4 general election.