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School board candidates offer their views

New London primary set for Tuesday

Compiled by Scott Bellile


With six area residents running for two seats on the New London School Board, a primary election will narrow down the field on Tuesday, Feb. 19.

Incumbents Chris Martinson and Virginia Schlais face challenges from Pete Bosquez, Jeremy Pues, Tina Ruckdashel and Mary Swifka.

Voters residing in the School District of New London will select two of six candidates to advance to the spring election. The top four overall vote-getters will appear on the April 2 ballot, where voters will again choose two.

Superintendent Dennis Krueger said at a school board meeting Monday, Feb. 11, he encourages people to become aware of the primary.

“I know that usually voter turnout in primaries is sometimes low,” Krueger said. “Just make people aware and vote.”

To inform voters ahead of next week’s primary, the Press Star asked candidates four questions on various issues. Their responses have been lightly edited for grammar and length.

 

Why are you qualified to serve on the school board?

Pete Bosquez: I feel qualified for this position based on my life experience, work experience and training. I worked for 12 years at Presto Products as a machine operator and industrial mechanic. I graduated with an associate’s degree in police science from Fox Valley Technical College in 1994 and started my career in law enforcement. During my career, I was an instructor for firearms, defense and arrest tactics, less lethal munitions, and tactical response. I was also an assistant team leader on the SWAT team and a crisis negotiator. Currently I work as a substitute educational assistant for the School District of New London and represent District 21 as a Waupaca County Board supervisor.

Chris Martinson: I am a lumberman with 31 years in the hardwood lumber industry, working in sales and in management for several companies. For the last 11 years, I have run my own successful business, Martinson Lumber, which is a hardwood lumber wholesaling business. I have been married 41 years to my wife, Ellen, and have two grown sons who have been students in the district. I am active in the community as president for the last eight years of His Way Events, and have done lots of work with church youth in New London. I am also a founding member and secretary of Wolf River Area Patriots. Wisconsin Family Action’s PAC has endorsed me.

Jeremy Pues: In short, I am of sound mind and am a citizen of New London. Just an “average Joe” that will welcome any changes that are warranted.

Tina Ruckdashel: I graduated from New London High School and received my degree in early childhood education from UW-Madison. My husband and I returned to New London to raise our four children and put them through the school system. Education is important in our household. Running for school board will allow me to give back to my community for all it has done for my family. I have worked in education my entire professional career, including teaching preschool and substitute teaching in the School District of New London. Currently I am the social emotional development specialist for UW-Oshkosh Head Start. I feel confident in my knowledge of education and educational needs, which makes me an exceptional candidate.

Virginia Schlais: First and foremost, I am qualified because I finished my 21st year on the New London School Board. That tenure has taught me so many things about leadership, working with others and how public education works in Wisconsin, but more importantly how our school district functions to make our students successful.

Mary Swifka: I’m the parent of a New London High School graduate and have lived New London for 30 years. My participation in Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking, a disability advocacy and leadership development program, led to a three-year appointment to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Special Education Advisory Council. In 2015-16, I served as governing board president of New London Catalyst Academy. That experience gave me insight into the workings of the district. My leadership skills throughout my 29-year career with Outagamie County Parks Department, working cooperatively, and listening to stakeholders will build on and complement the current board.

 

What are three issues regarding local education and/or the New London School Board that matter to you most?

Bosquez: The three top issues as I see them are providing all students the tools to succeed after graduation, providing a safe learning/teaching environment, and effective and efficient use of taxpayer monies.

Martinson: Local control of schools: Wisconsin is a local control state. The local citizens, through their elected board, control standards, textbooks, curricula, hiring and educational goals. State and federal government can coordinate information and promote ideas, but boards work for the citizens, not for state or federal government.

Fiscally conservative spending: I was glad to help negotiate a moderation of the referendum last fall that will raise needed dollars to fix our older buildings but still keep us at the very low end of school property taxes in northeast Wisconsin.

Accountability and transparency: The district administration is accountable to the board. The board is accountable to the local voters. Decisions must be made openly and transparently.

Pues: I want to see our teachers happy with wages, benefits and classroom needs being met.

I want to see correct staffing. Meaning zero nepotism while filling positions. We live in a small “who you know” community. That might be OK while running the family business, but it’s not good enough for our kids in New London. Best qualifications and experience fill the positions.

I want to see a balanced budget that makes sense, and steers clear of any foolish spending.

Ruckdashel: Continue to monitor and build on safety and security of all of our school buildings.

Ensure positive environments for staff and students.

Foster symbiotic and cooperative relationships with community groups and government.

Schlais: Helping our students be prepared for the challenges of the 21st century. Teaching what they need and want to know. Encouraging them to finds their strengths. Giving each child a learning experience that helps him or her succeed in whatever their course may be.

Our declining enrollment. Trying to figure out why we are and have been declining and then seeing what can be done about it.

Hiring and maintaining the best staff possible to meet these goals.

Swifka: I want parents to know their children are receiving an outstanding education from highly qualified teachers and support staff.

I want teachers to know they are valued for their knowledge, skills, dedication and professionalism.

I want citizens to feel confident their tax dollars are being spent wisely.

 

What is the current school board is doing well, and what could be improved?

Bosquez: The current school board is very proactive regarding school safety. I see all the board members as active and engaged with improving the school district. I see the school board could improve by embracing a team concept.

Martison: There is a lot more transparency now than there was three years ago. The board is a lot more diverse in their viewpoints, and they are more inclined to discuss and negotiate openly. I do feel that the meetings are a place where all members can now openly state their views and be heard.

I do think the board needs to be more proactive in advertising the district for open enrollment. There are some great things here. If it was well advertised, we could attract students from other districts. Med-tech, welding and our vocational agriculture programs are just three examples that are ahead of most districts.

Pues: I’m going to pass on this question, as I want to get involved, so that I can see firsthand what is going on inside the school board. There’s always room for improvement in anything that we do.

Ruckdashel: It seems the board has been fiscally responsible with the school’s budget and taxpayer money. However, when needs arise, they are willing to support referendums to proceed with necessary improvements for the benefit of staff and students. They are starting to connect with the community more by starting a Community Connections Committee. The board is starting to put together a strategic direction that includes safety, connections and responsive environments. I would like to come alongside what has already been established and support this direction as well as add to it any way possible. I would also like to ensure the board listens to staff and administration, and community ideas and concerns are heard more frequently.

Schlais: I feel we are doing well in managing our budget and stretching it as efficiently as possible. Thank you to our community for passing the referendum to help with those needs we can’t fit into our already tight budget.

Swifka: New London taxpayers should feel confident that the current school board is fiscally responsible and supports the administration in hiring highly qualified and competent teachers.

As far as improvements, I think the board, and anyone for that matter, can work harder to make sure every student feels valued in this district and finds school to be a place where they can not only learn, but thrive, feel emotionally safe and can blossom as individuals.

 

If elected, how would you conduct yourself as a responsible public servant?

Bosquez: As I have spent the majority of my adult life in public service, I will continue to act as I always have. I will be an active listener and treat everyone with dignity and respect. I will conduct myself with the understanding that I am representing the residents of the School District of New London and community.

Martinson: I believe that the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) is a great standard to apply: “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” Keeping that verse like a compass in the forefront helps me if I do stumble or get off track. This applies to how to treat citizens, students, school employees and those who do business with the district. Also, I need to constantly remember that as a public servant, the residents of the district are my boss and that their voices need to be heard as to their vision of what is in the best interest of the students.

Pues: I will conduct myself as an open-minded board member that is always open to the suggestions, concerns, wants and needs of all members in our community. Let’s face it, not everyone has children, but we all pay the taxes due. That means we all get a voice. I’m your man if you want to see things shaken up a bit, as I stand with solid morals and integrity.

Ruckdashel: I would be supportive of board decisions in public, which would include but not be limited to keeping information confidential. I will always be conscious that my actions would reflect a positive light on the district, city and my family.

Schlais: I hope that my history on the school board and the community support I have had in re-electing me speaks to my character. Leadership, vision, integrity, honesty and a passion for our students’ education are the character traits I have always hoped to bring to my service to our community and district.

Swifka: The role of a school board member is multi-faceted. Board members represent taxpayers while supporting the district in fulfilling its mission to educate students. Partisan politics and hidden political agendas have no place on this board. My role will be to listen to and represent all citizens without judgment, respect the democratic process that allows the board to function effectively, with the ultimate goal of success for all students.

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