Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.
Dear editor,
Once again we have three candidates for Wausau School Board running together on the same platform and sharing promotional materials.
I have long asked why we have at-large elections for school board members, rather than elections that are representative — with each voting district represented on the school board by an elected candidate. Just like the way we elect members to the City Council.
In at-large elections of course, a majority of candidates could share the same platform, be from the same company or organization, the same neighborhood, the same political faction.
The answer is in the state statutes. Section 102.6 mandates at-large elections except in unified districts where representative elections are allowed. Why can’t we change that so that representative school board elections are available to all?
Meantime, voters should examine each candidate individually and vote for those who will best serve our public schools—students, staff and tax payers.
Jim Force, Wausau
