Manitowoc School Board Candidates Answer Questions Before Election

Answer 1: We need to focus all our energy on academic achievement. When I was elected to the school board in 2021, only about 30% of our students were achieving at grade level in reading and math. This was and continues to be unacceptable. Every stakeholder needs to support our number one priority goal: to provide every student of our district with the best education. Under my leadership we have begun to do this by setting priority district goals that leverage all our resources toward raising academic achievement. As an example, I supported a whole school reform model called Success for All (SFA), which was implemented at the beginning of the school year for K-8 students. After just two quarters we have seen a 10% increase in the number of students reading at grade level, which is a testament to the hard work of our teachers, parents and staff.  Additionally, I advocated for adding consistency in data collection throughout the district which is vital to providing teachers and district leaders the information they need to make informed decisions about academic programming. We need to continue to identify and remove barriers to student learning such as creating measurable goals to address discipline. That is why I have repeatedly called for consistent enforcement of the code of conduct and have championed SFA’s Get Along Together curriculum that teaches all students how to problem solve.

Answer 2: My academic and clinical experience working with children and adolescents gives me a unique perspective as a board member, which I have been able to apply over the last 3 years on the board. I also have served on many non profit boards, giving me experience with tight budgets and the need for strategic planning. As a small business owner I understand the importance of goal setting, human resource concerns and investing in initiatives that have a good return on investment. As a member of the community with no direct links to the school district, I bring an unbiased perspective to the board that is sadly often absent or lacking. As an alumna who chose to make Manitowoc her home, my commitment to the stakeholders of the district are as strong as anyones.

Answer 1: Current conditions within the Manitowoc Public School District are troubling. The DPI rates the District in its lowest category of “meets few expectations,” only 27% of the staff think the system is “heading in the right direction,” and over the past two years experienced teachers have been deserting the District at a rate three times higher than the national average. The biggest challenge facing the schools is the pressing need to greatly improve the conditions and morale of the teachers, most of whom feel exhausted, over-worked, and unappreciated. Also, improvements are desperately needed to stem the flow of teachers leaving MPSD (208 in the last 2 years) and measures taken to retain those who are left. This will require a major change in system governance from the current top-down, command-and-control approach to something much more open, accountable, and collaborative.

Answer 2: My life has prepared me well to serve on the School Board. My qualifications include nearly 40 years in the classroom as well as serving as a college administrator. Also, my background as a kid growing up in a working-class family and who, through hard work, perseverance, and the help of great teachers, became the first in the family to go on to college and graduate school, and to then teach people with backgrounds similar to my own, gives me the empathy and understanding to be a good Board member. I’m mature, highly experienced in education and public service, and I have a deep personal commitment to the profound mission of public schools.

Answer 1: Looking over the past decade, the MPSD has spent over $1 billion in taxpayer funding on curriculum, which has caused the reading proficiency of our district to plummet to 30% at the beginning of this school year. This school year, the new Success for All curriculum has begun that rise in proficiency. After only two quarters, reading scores have increased 10%. Currently, we are experiencing a nationwide teacher shortage. If SFA is to work for years to come, qualified educators must be sought, employed, and maintained, as well as support must be upheld.

Answer 2: I possess a quality no other school board candidate and member possess, my youth. As a 19-year-old fresh out of high school and college, I know exactly what is occurring in our schools. I have witnessed student discipline problems first-hand. My 13-years of student experience in the modern education system and personal relatability to students gives me a fresh perspective that will suit the school board well. Over the past year, I have consistently attended all school board meetings, more than any other non-Board candidate. This has made me well-informed about what is occurring in our district, and I will be ready to start making decisions right away. Since I became the first candidate to declare candidacy back in October, I have held a meet-and-greet and I have knocked on over 600 doors. Through that, I have talked to a variety of parents, students, teachers, staff, and community members.

Answer 1: Behavioral issues are at the top of the list of issues we are facing together as a district, and as a community.  One of the main issues public education faces is bridging the gap between parents and a focus on a more active participation in their children’s education. It truly does take a village to raise a child and the more parental and citizen involvement we can promote, the better. I would advocate to re-institute the Ad-Hoc Behavior Advisory Committee immediately. I feel strongly that working together in an organized fashion as a cohesive community is our most achievable line of defense for addressing this issue. Addressing these behavioral issues proactively will improve the quality of curriculum delivery, increase safety in the classroom and provide a better working environment that will compliment the incredibly important efforts aimed at retaining our quality educators here in our MPSD. As a special needs mother I know that ALL behavior is a form of communication and I feel it is our job to interpret what that child needs help regulating. There are many child-specific approaches to successfully address such things, and together, parents and educators, we CAN achieve, setting up our children for success in the face of frustration. I would strongly recommend using FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment) with parental consent on any student that suffers from recurring challenges. It is my understanding that FBA’s can be conducted for any student to help reveal the root of their behavior, addressing the foundations of the issue. Respect should also be given with every interaction we have together including board meetings.  Being disrespectful to one another accomplishes nothing. Let’s work TOGETHER to be good role models for our children!

Answer 2: I am a special needs mom with two amazing sons who attend elementary school in the MPSD.  I have a bachelor’s degree in human services and own/operate my family business of 54 years. I truly enjoy helping others in our community.  Below are a few of the many reasons I am qualified to be elected:

• Attended more school board/committee meetings in the last 4 years than any other candidate in the race other than Board President, Stacey Soeldner
• Parent advocate for my children and countless other families for over 8 years
• MPSD District Family Engagement Liaison through the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI), where I assist and help promote positive working relationships between families, students, staff, and community agencies
• Facilitator, Manitowoc County’s Special Needs Parent Cafes
• MPSD Special Education Parents Advisory Committee helped establish, and I am a participant

Answer 1: If elected to the MPSD Board, I hope to play an integral part in RE- ESTABLISHING, honesty, respect, and a feeling by the community and staff that the Board is willing to listen, cooperate, and solve problems together. In the latest staff survey, throughout the 47 pages of responses, there were a number of themes repeatedly expressed: a distrust in the Board, a distrust in the Board leadership, and a distrust that the Board was leading the district in the right direction. I want to help change that perception of the Board. It is “my opinion” that the small majority of the Board, including the leadership has not followed through or lived up to the campaign promises they made to the MPSD community. This includes the promise of total transparency, open and honest communication to the public, accountability for Board actions, and in-depth research conducted by the Board prior to making decisions. With that
being said, I feel the best way to demonstrate my dissatisfaction is to run for the Board and work to become a part of a group that changes the total performance and perception of the MPSD Board of Education.

Answer 2: Qualifications for School Board:
Bachelor’s Degree in Regular Education, Special Education, and Psychology

Masters Degree in Special Education
Regular Education Administration (Principals License)
Special Education Specialist. (Level A and B).

1973 -Student taught in Manitowoc – 6th grade, Monroe Elementary
1987 – Assistant Administrator for Manitowoc County handicapped Children’s Education Board
1990 – Administrator of Special Education programs, School Psychologist, School Social Worker, Speech and Language services for the Sheboygan Area School District.
1994 – Director of Pupil Services Manitowoc Public School District
1998 – Assistant Principal Lincoln High School – Manitowoc
2001 – Principal Lincoln High School – Manitowoc

Answer 1: I believe the most important issue facing the district is the toxic workplace created by current leadership that has led to 30% turnover the past two years. Our leadership is chasing talent out of the district. The teacher survey clearly shows that the administration and board are out of touch with the most important stakeholders in the district. If we are to be a district of choice, we must be able to attract and retain top talent. If elected, I will work to regain the trust of teachers, incorporate their feedback into decision-making, and seek their input in planning.

Answer 2: I have over 20 years of experience serving on a variety of boards, including the Wisconsin Bar Association’s Board of Governors. As an attorney with 25 years of experience, I understand governance, the law governing school districts, and the duty owed by directors to the district. I will not bring politics and culture war issues with me to my service. My focus will be the students and teachers and creating the best possible learning environment we can have.