About
Ruthina Malone
Ruthina Malone, 49, of Iowa City, is seeking re-election to the Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors.
First elected in 2017, Ruthina has served a Board President since August 2022 and has offered steady leadership as the district has navigated the post-pandemic landscape as well as new state priorities. She currently serves as the Director for District #6 on the Iowa Association of School Boards
During her almost 8 year tenure, Malone and the current board have led the district through significant realignment to bring preschool classrooms to all elementary buildings; conversion to a middle school model with 6th-8th grade buildings that allow the district to serve more school-aged children and offer expanded curricular options at the middle school level; and an increased cultural awareness by utilizing the school calendar.
Her husband is an elementary teacher in the Iowa City Community School District and their daughter attended Lucas Elementary, Southeast Junior High and City High (Class of 2018.). Ruthina is an administrator in the in University of Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where she supervises staff, manages human resources, plans facilities renovations and construction, and oversees departmental budgets up to $25 million.
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Ruthina was also an active volunteer in the schools, serving as treasurer of the Lucas Elementary PTO and the City High School PSTO. As well as a member of the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition where she serves as President for their board.
Malone’s first educational advocacy was as a high school student, when she and her classmates worked to bring college preparatory classes to her public high school in Chicago, which had previously emphasized vocational training. The school later connected with the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, which offered summer classes to prepare Malone and her peers for the AP Calculus test. She continued at the University of Iowa, receiving a bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in rehabilitation counseling.
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"I want to make sure that the Iowa City Community School District remains the district of choice for every child and family in our community,. We have to ensure we are creating global citizens who leave ICCSD ready to make a lasting impact on wherever they go.”
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“My tenure of 8 years on the Iowa City Community educational background, employment history, and volunteer services have given me an opportunity to work with a variety of people and taught me how to find common ground,” she said. “I believe my background makes me an ideal candidate for leadership in our school district.
