Board Overview

The West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education is here to serve you and govern the school district. The school board is made up of seven individuals representing the families and citizens of our community.

• The members are elected at-large by residents of our district community.
• They receive no compensation for their service.
• Each school board member is elected for a term of four years. Terms are staggered to ensure continuity of leadership.
• Elections are held bi-annually in odd-numbered years on the second Tuesday in November.

President Jeff Hicks

Phone 515-991-8890 | Email 4hicks@gmail.com

Jeff Hicks is an assistant general counsel for Principal Financial Group. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served as an intelligence officer and attained the rank of Captain. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Maryland, and a law degree from Drake University. He is involved with and supports United Way, the YMCA, and Iowa Legal Aid. He and his wife, Kim, have two children: Hailey, a sophomore at Valley High School and Logan, an eighth-grader at Stilwell Junior High School.

Elected: November 2019
Term Expires: November 2023

Vice President Lila P. Montoya Starr

Phone: 515-457-7243, email: starrforwdmschools@gmail.com

Lila P. Montoya Starr has worked as a licensed social worker and mental health specialist with the Iowa Department of Human Services for over 35 years. She is a graduate of the Waverly-Shell Rock public school system and earned her bachelor’s degree in speech/interpersonal communications from the University of Northern Iowa. Lila and her husband, Tony Montoya, are the proud parents of two amazing young men, Antonio and Wesley, who graduated from Valley in 2011 and 2015. Lila currently serves as secretary to two national professional organizations and is a frequent presenter on topics associated with mental health, disabilities, and long-term care. A lifelong learner and community activist, Lila has lived with her family in Clive since 1997. She represented Crestview, Indian Hills, Valley Southwoods, Valley, and the community at large on the WDMCS Community Education Advisory Committee for many years. 

Elected: November 2021
Term Expires: November 2025

Liz Cox

Phone 515-360-7473 | Email LizCoxWDMCS@gmail.com

Liz Cox is the CEO of Polk County Health Services. This organization provides mental health services along with assistance to families with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Cox was the former executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of North Dakota and is a graduate of the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business where she completed the executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. She and Tom Cox are the parents of three children who all graduated from Valley High School. Megan is a 2014 graduate, Emma is a 2016 graduate, and Sam is a 2017 graduate. She has been active with the Boy Scouts of America’s Mid-Iowa Council, the Rotary Club of Des Moines A.M., and the Great Outdoors Foundation. Cox is also a graduate of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy.

Elected: September 2015
Term Expires: November 2023

Lonnie Dafney

Phone 515-225-7033 | Email: Ldafney@msn.com

Lonnette Dafney is the Assistant Vice-President-Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at EMC Insurance Companies in Des Moines. She is a 16-year resident of West Des Moines and the proud mother of two amazing young men who graduated from WDMCS in 2013 and 2015, Darrin and Dominique. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management administration from William Penn University. She was awarded the Wells Fargo Volunteer Service Award and is involved with or supports many organizations including the Isiserettes, West Des Moines Human Rights Commission (Commissioner), West Des Moines Historical Society (Board of Directors), Dress for Success Des Moines (Board of Directors), United Way of Central Iowa Women United (Advisory Committee/Engagement Chair), and the One Economy Employment Group Chair (Director’s Council). She is also a member of The Links, Inc.

Elected: November 2019
Term Expires: November 2023

Fannette Elliott

Phone 515-223-4047 | Email elliottfannette@gmail.com

Fannette Elliott is the senior associate midmarket communications leader for Mercer. She is a 30+ year resident of West Des Moines and started her education at Phoenix Elementary, then continued in the Des Moines school system. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in English from Iowa State University. She has nieces and nephews who attend Hillside Elementary, Western Hills Elementary, Stilwell Junior High, Valley Southwoods Freshman High School, and Valley High School. She is involved and an active member of various committees at work and in the community, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was a mentor in the school-based Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She has also served on Student Improvement Advisory Committee and co-founded the Families of Students of Color support group.

Elected: November 2021
Term Expires: November 2025

Jill Caton Johnson, Ph.D.

Phone 515-271-3992 | Email jill.johnson@drake.edu

Jill Caton Johnson, Ph.D., is a professor of education and director of off-campus teaching and learning programs at Drake University. She is a former fourth-grade teacher at Crestview Elementary in the West Des Moines Community Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and her master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Iowa, and her doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction, literacy education from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband, Tom, have two children: Jack, a 2020 Valley graduate, is a junior at the University of Iowa, and Catie, a 2021 Valley graduate, is a sophomore at Drake University.

Elected: September 2015
Term Expires: November 2023

Anadelia Morgan

Phone 402-403-8121 | Email alamasmorgan@gmail.com

Anadelia Morgan is a part-time festival event food coordinator and event manager for Cinco de Mayo Omaha. She has a background in federal grant management and community organization. Her military family lives in West Des Moines with two children attending schools in the district. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish with a minor in Chicano/a-Latino/a studies from the University of Nebraska Omaha. Anadelia has volunteered at WDMCS in various roles and served on Student Improvement Advisory Committee. She also co-founded the Families of Students of Color support group.

Elected: November 2021
Term Expires: November 2025

Student Representative Michael Danos

Michael Danos is a Valley High School senior and founding member of the Student Representatives Committee that initiated a Board policy to create student representation at the district level. He is also a member of Community of Racial Equity (CORE) for Advancement student group, the Greenhouse Club, National Honor Society, and World Cultures Club. His family includes parents John and Kimberly Danos and two brothers who graduated from Valley in 2016 and 2019.

Sworn in: February 2023
Term expires: July 2023

Student Representative Lila Khan

Lila Khan is a Valley High School senior and founding member of the Student Representatives Committee that initiated a Board policy to create student representation at the district level. She is part of the Community of Racial Equity (CORE) for Advancement student group, Model UN, the Refugee and Immigrant Student Embassy (RISE), school plays and musicals, and World Cultures Club. She represents Valley through the band, orchestra, Choralation show choir, Iowa High School Speech Association, tennis team, and Vocal Point jazz choir. Her family includes father Aaron Khan and two brothers.

Sworn in: February 2023
Term expires: July 2023

Student Representative Ria Tomar

Ria Tomar is a Valley High School senior and founding member of the Student Representatives Committee that initiated a Board policy to create student representation at the district level. She helps lead World Cultures Club, represents Valley on the tennis, debate, and mock trial teams, and is involved with environmental initiatives. Her family includes parents Prachi Singh and Manoj Tomar and one younger sibling enrolled in WDMCS.

Sworn in: February 2023
Term expires: July 2023