WAUSAU PILOT AND REVIEW
Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review will publish a series of Q&As in the days leading up to the April 2 spring election for contested seats in the Wausau metro area.
For a sample ballot and general election information, visit the Marathon County election information page. Watch for more election coverage and be sure to bookmark our elections page here. Candidates, listed in alphabetical order, were given the opportunity to answer identical questions in the interest of fairness.
Their unedited answers are listed below.
These five candidates are vying to be elected to the D.C. Everest School Board. There are four positions available.
Letters to the editor are encouraged through Monday, April 1. Email [email protected].
Joshua Dickerson
Age: 41
Education: D.C. Everest ’96. UW-Madison 2000: B.S. Double Major Zoology and Philosophy
Occupation: Medical Device Sales Consultant
In a nutshell, why are you running for the school board?
The D.C. Everest School District is where my K-12 Education took place. This district has given more to me than I’ll ever be able to give back to it. Our Students, Parents, Teachers, Support Staff, Administrators and Community all play a role in the Education of our Youth. Being able to give back to the District and Community by working with other School Board members along with the Superintendent, Administration, Educators and Community to help ensure the district is moving forward consistent with the values of our community and providing the best education for our children we are able to give them is why I would be happy to continue to serve as a board member. My wife is an educator in the district and my children ages 9 and 10 attend school in the district.
Name one problem that exists in the school district today and a way to improve it, and one thing the D.C. Everest Area School District does well, and how you would support it.
As a District we do many things well. We also have many things we can improve on. What matters is that we continue to learn from our mistakes, reflect and work to correct them. If we can do better, we should. We are not afraid to be a leader in education.
What is the best solution to the discipline issues schools are facing today?
As a board member we put trust in our Superintendent and the Administration she has put in place. It is my job to provide oversight and to ask questions to make sure the values and interests of the community are upheld throughout the entire educational process. Specific to discipline, this is the task of the administration to deal with the day to day responsibilities. The board can make policy, change policy and in general looks for recommendations from the Superintendent around best practices and when we need to make changes. If there are significant changes or issues that the community feels are important and addresses these issues to the School Board or to the Administration we can look at them. I do not have a Bachelors, Masters nor a PhD in Education, but our Educators and Administrators do. They are the people the school board relies on to provide recommendations and solutions to the districts problems. Whether it is about discipline as this question asks, curriculum or any other of the challenges we face. I represent the community and need to sign off on and take responsibility for the actions and direction the district takes. I’m kinda “old school” when it comes to discipline but realize that my caveman way of looking at things is not always what research tells us is best.
What impact, if any, has Act 10 had on our schools?
Act Ten has had a significant impact on how every School District has done its business and provided education. I feel D.C. Everest handled the changes better than most districts, was a leader and looked to by other districts after the implementation of Act Ten. As a district we have worked through the challenges and have gotten stronger and most importantly we have a community that has always stood behind the Districts needs. We have Educators and Support Staff that dedicate their lives work to educating the next generation and we should recognize the impact Act Ten has had on their lives. As a Board Member I have to work with the realities of numbers that don’t lie and make those numbers work. We need to continue to look forward to the future and focus on what we can do and what is in our control to deliver the best education we can.
As a school board member, are there any specific subject areas you think should be included in the curriculum on the issue of diversity?
I have a unique experience as I have a diverse background and can relate to the question. That being said, I believe that diversity should be something that is woven into all aspects of education when the opportunity exists. I believe we learn to accept each other best through actual real life experiences and that curriculum would serve as a way to supplement and to drive some critical thinking about the issues depending upon the ages of the students. As a board member I want all of our students to feel welcome and to have a safe place to learn. I recognize this is not the reality for many of our students. I know that this is an area that we can do better as a District and that our Administrators are aware of and is something we are working on.
One important characteristic of any elected official is the ability to step back and see both sides of an issue. Give an example of a time you did this in the past.
As a board we do our best to hash our differences and work to find consensus. I have had the pleasure to work with board members that respect different view points and also hold on to a general feeling of what the community wants. That being said there have been plenty of times that I have not hit the mark in my initial assessment of the subject of the day. Listening to those that have expertise in the subject or hearing how another board member feels about it usually moves you in some way. At the end of the day I want our district to have open, transparent dialogue about the business of educating our kids and not be afraid to be right or wrong during the process.
There are dozens of homeless students in the D.C. Everest Area School District. What, if anything, would you do as a school board member to address this issue?
We are given updates at the board level specific to the number of homeless families and students the district has. The District has Administrators, Educators, and Support Staff that go above and beyond to help families and students that carry the classification in providing as much assistance in many forms. We have had community members and businesses that have done an incredible job in bringing awareness and actually putting significant resources and money to help. Homelessness is something we need to continue to talk about. We need to come together as a community to help ensure it happens less and when it does, we are able to provide support to make sure the children can make it to school daily and try to keep the challenges they are facing outside of school from keeping them from being successful in the classroom.
If you could add one mandatory class to the D.C. Everest curriculum, what would it be, and why?
If I could ask all of the community members this question I could probably give you an answer. I feel that we are doing well with what is mandatory and what is not, however for fun I would say “mandatory fishing class” since I love to fish.
Finally, why should voters choose you on April 2?
I have had the opportunity to meet all the candidates and even had Mr. Bruce Krueger as a science teacher back in Junior High. I do like all the candidates and feel each and every one would represent the communities interests well. It has been an honor to have served the community as a board member and it would be an honor to serve another term.
Nate Fiene
Age: 25
Education: Master’s in public administration
Occupation: Deputy clerk/deputy teasurer of Redgranite, Wisconsin
In a nutshell, why are you running for the school board?
I’m running for D.C. Everest Area School Board because I want to give future graduates an even more spectacular education than I received. Given my recent time in higher education, I know what it takes to be successful in the 21st century college setting. I also worked in a factory to put myself through school and know that the university setting isn’t right for everyone. I want students who are looking to go into the trades to be equally encouraged.
The board is looking to expand its college preparatory and mental health awareness efforts. While I was a resident assistant at UW-Green Bay, more often than not it was the highly successful students who knocked on my door at night for a comforting word and to turn to someone who could connect them with the help they needed. I know I can bring relevant firsthand experience to both of those areas.
Name one problem that exists in the school district today and a way to improve it.
I think the single biggest problem is teacher attraction and retention. We need to ensure that D.C. Everest continues to be a destination and priority for educators and education associate staff. We voted to invest in our schools-something I drove five hours to do while I was in grad school to do-and now we need to invest in our teachers.
Name one thing the D.C. Everest Area School District does well, and how you would support it.
D.C. Everest does a great job of preparing students for college. I would support this tradition of academic excellence by bringing my firsthand knowledge and experience of 21st Century collegiate life and student demands to better prepare our future graduates to succeed.
What is the best solution to the discipline issues schools are facing today?
I don’t believe that there is a “best” solution to the discipline problems facing schools. Clearly, things start in the home, but there are often underlying reasons for why kids act out. I know that my church, Mt. Olive, helps to provide Blessings in a Backpack for many students who don’t have enough to eat over the weekend.
Added to that, our understanding of mental health and its effects on student performance are becoming more and more salient every year. While schools cannot be all things to all students, we can reduce behavioral issues by meeting our students’ basic needs to the best of our ability and to better engage with parents.
What impact, if any, has Act 10 had on our schools?
Act 10 has had a devastating effect on our schools. Act 10 has made it harder to retain and attract talented teachers to Wisconsin, but especially north central Wisconsin. More than anywhere else, we suffer from a drastic “brain drain” (college graduates leave the state and go elsewhere to live and work). The fact that I have returned home and bucked the trend is proof that I am deeply invested in the success of my home.
As a school board member, are there any specific subject areas you think should be included in the curriculum on the issue of diversity?
I think sociology and civics need to be more emphasized in our curriculum. I know that going to UW-Green Bay really opened my eyes to the wider world. Better understanding the life experiences of our friends and neighbors can only serve to bring our community closer together.
One important characteristic of any elected official is the ability to step back and see both sides of an issue. Give an example of a time you did this in the past.
One thing I love about local government is the freedom we have to detach ourselves from labels like “liberal” or “conservative” and get to the heart of the matter. My ideology is pretty simple: Does this action serve the public interest? Is this the best we can do? If the answer to both is yes, then I support it.
Every semester of my collegiate career, I would take a position that I disagreed with to keep myself intellectually honest. I felt it was the best way to ensure that I keep an open mind and looked at the facts. By learning about all sides of an argument, I was able to strengthen my own understanding of the issue and know the shortcomings of my own position. If I was wrong, I changed my mind.
There are dozens of homeless students in the D.C. Everest Area School District. What, if anything, would you do as a school board member to address this issue?
I don’t think anyone disagrees that we need to do something to help those students. If elected, I will find out what is currently being done. I do not have a comprehensive plan on how to tackle this issue, but I know where to start. Our neighbors and students deserve better than homelessness.
If you could add one mandatory class to the D.C. Everest curriculum, what would it be, and why?
I have been a believer in a greater need for civics for years. In this century, it is not enough to send our future graduates out into the world without understanding how our republic works. I believe that being a good citizen is more than having a job, paying taxes, and voting every four years. We need to teach our students how government affects them and what it does at all levels, not just state and federal.
Finally, why should voters choose you on April 2?
Voters should choose me because D.C. Everest did a great job to prepare me for college and I am determined to give back to the district that gave me so much. This is my home and I want to see it succeed. Given the board’s current objectives of expanding college prep efforts and amplifying mental health awareness, I feel like my experiences would be beneficial to the board.
Bruce Krueger
Age: 67
Education: Master’s degree in curriculum and certification in administration
Occupation: Retired science instructor
In a nutshell, why are you running for the school board?
The D.C. Everest School District has had a tradition of excellence that I have always respected. I intend to work very hard to maintain the trust that the Everest community has for its schools as evidenced by the recently passed $60 million dollar referendum. My classroom experience has allowed me to witness outstanding teaching and commitment to our students by a dedicated staff. I have also seen how important it is to roll out new initiatives in education with careful planning and preparation so the initiatives can be successful and students can benefit. I want to use my experiences as an educator, parent and community member to help the district continue to provide a quality education for all D.C. Everest students.
Name one problem that exists in the school district today and a way to improve it.
I am very concerned about the mental health of our students. This includes bullying, depression, anxiety, suicide and drugs. Teachers are being asked to teach more than just their curriculum. More resources in our schools, such as counselors and social workers, are needed to help students navigate through these difficult years. We need to be proactive on these issues and continue to offer initiatives, such as the mental wellness day held a couple of weeks ago for all ninth-graders.
Name one thing the D.C. Everest Area School District does well, and how you would support it.
I believe Everest does a number of things very well. The gifted and talented program has been in place for a long time and has provided many advanced placement courses. I am also glad to see that our career and technical courses are offering more opportunities as well. I also feel that our charter schools provide opportunities for those students who learn best in that type of environment. All students deserve to be challenged and given every opportunity to do their best.
What is the best solution to the discipline issues schools are facing today?
My answer to this question goes along with my response to question No. 2. More resources are needed in our schools to deal with student issues before they become serious discipline issues that impact the learning of all students. Schools need to have clear rules which set high standards for behavior. We also need to be proactive and help educate and provide resources for parents to effectively help their children.
What impact, if any, has Act 10 had on our schools?
Public schools are being asked to do more and more with fewer resources. It is always very hard to catch up in the public sector once funding has been taken away. Reduced funding plus declining enrollments for some districts has really impacted what schools can offer. I give public schools a great deal of credit for maintaining quality while dealing with shrinking budgets.
As a school board member, are there any specific subject areas you think should be included in the curriculum on the issue of diversity?
As in most issues, education is the key. A course or courses on ethnic diversity would help students gain a better understanding of cultural differences and how important it is to live and work with all people in the community.
One important characteristic of any elected official is the ability to step back and see both sides of an issue. Give an example of a time you did this in the past.
In addition to seeing both sides of an issue, it is very important to gain as much knowledge as possible about an issue before making a decision. I have served on numerous committees at school over the years where pros and cons of an issue were debated before a decision was made. I have also served on my church board when difficult decisions had to be made.
There are dozens of homeless students in the D.C. Everest Area School District. What, if anything, would you do as a school board member to address this issue?
I know that the Everest community has supported the homeless students by providing food, clothing, personal care items, shopping trips and Blessings In A Backpack. As a board, we need to keep encouraging and thanking our community for supporting such an important need in our community. We need to make sure that not only the physical needs of those students are supported, but that they also have emotional support from social workers and counselors.
If you could add one mandatory class to the D.C. Everest curriculum, what would it be, and why?
I believe adding a wellness class in which students learn how to handle anxiety, depression and other issues they face should be mandatory. This class would include strategies and resources for students. Mental health is something that needs to be addressed today as recent statistics have shown.
Finally, why should voters choose you on April 2?
I believe my experience as an educator, parent and community member will help me make informed decisions on the board level that will benefit all students. I have taught many students with various educational needs and know that the school board has an important responsibility to see that all students are given opportunities to achieve their goals. I want D.C. Everest to be a school district where students want to learn, are successful, and become productive and responsible members of society.
Lindsey Lewitzke
I am running for school board because I want to see this district, this area, these people continue to move forward. The district has a big role in this community. Many stakeholders depend on the district in some way. Families depend on the district providing a quality education for children, businesses depend on the district providing a quality workforce, older adults depend on responsible decisions by the district as many have fixed incomes and young professionals depend on the district to be highly touted to decide to live here. Every person living within the district is impacted by it in some way. As a person who graduated from D.C. Everest, moved back and decided to buy a home in the district, have started a young family here and also as a spouse to a local business owner, I understand various roles the district plays in the lives of its constituents. I have enjoyed working alongside the D.C. Everest Area School District in various capacities and felt I was ready to perhaps be on the board, if voters chose so.
Corrie Norrbom
Age: 50
Education: BS in Biology from Marquette University (via UWMC) and MD from Washington University in St Louis, Board Certified in Family Medicine
Occupation: Physician, Faculty at MCW-CW, and Health Policy Fellow at WIPPS
In a nutshell, why are you running for the school board?
I am a believer in a strong public education system and that all children should be able to attend high quality schools where they feel welcome and safe, and where the environment and culture supports optimal learning so that all children can have the best chance to thrive, grow, and achieve.
I support doing what is possible to attract and retain high quality teachers, staff, and administration and to nurture their innovation, enthusiasm and talents. I also think it is critical to foster efforts to engage all parents and continue developing meaningful partnerships in the community.
Name one problem that exists in the school district today and a way to improve it.
Student mental health. Increasing teacher, staff, and student awareness about mental wellness/decreasing stigma about asking for help, encouraging every teacher and staff member to be “that caring adult”, increasing counselor and social worker FTEs (and possibly hiring a mental health coordinator), mental health screenings for students
Name one thing the D.C. Everest School District does well, and how you would support it.
DCE provides high quality education and continues to try to address issues of equity and opportunities related to families coming from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. I am supportive of passionate faculty/staff and their efforts and innovations for equity and educational excellence.
What is the best solution to the discipline issues schools are facing today?
Trauma-informed care tactics.
What impact, if any, has Act 10 had on our schools?
It has undermined the teaching profession by devaluing teachers and public education in the public eye and intentionally divided the people of our state.
As a school board member, are there any specific subject areas you think should be included in the curriculum on the issue of diversity?
It might be nice to include Hmong as a language (and language classes typically add more cultural awareness as well).
One important characteristic of any elected official is the ability to step back and see both sides of an issue. Give an example of a time you did this in the past.
Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) is nonpartisan and we try our best to present unbiased factual information and encourage civil discourse through our programming. Back in 2013, one of my first projects with WIPPS was to organize a conference about implementation of the Affordable Care Act in WI. I worked with both the Obama Administration and the Walker Administration along with many people from nongovernment sectors to address how we as a state could work together under the circumstances that existed.
There are dozens of homeless students in the D.C. Everest School District. What, if anything, would you do as a school board member to address this issue?
I think that we need more social worker and counselor FTEs to help guide us. In addition, as a private citizen and through my work I will continue to advocate for programs and policies to try to break the cycle of poverty and address mental health and substance abuse issues, and also help parents give their kids the best start possible.
If you could add one mandatory class to the D.C. Everest curriculum, what would it be, and why?
Current events (including training about how to evaluate sources of information) and respectful discussion about contemporary issues with peers and trusted adults.
Finally, why should voters choose you on April 2?
Decisions made by the School Board significantly impact not only DC Everest students and families, but the health and vibrancy of the community on the whole. Our school board has been quite diverse in terms of age, vocations, backgrounds and special interest areas. I think that my skill-set and experiences are helpful to the Board.
