Manawa School Board primary set for Feb. 15
By Holly Neumann
A primary election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15, in the Manawa School District, as Stephanie Riske, Scott Westphal and Nicole Rineck face off for one full district seat on the Manawa School Board.
Stephanie Riske
“I am the most qualified candidate to be on the board, as I have invested years worth of time involving myself in our schools in many different capacities,” Riske said. “I have attended most board and committee meetings over the past 10 years and the knowledge one learns from attending meetings is pertinent to being on the board.”
Riske said the greatest asset she can bring to the board is her involvement in the school.
“I am available during the day to do the research needed for the board meetings,” she said. “I am also available for parents, teachers and staff to reach me anytime.
“I have volunteered at numerous school functions and have been involved in many fundraisers, which help the betterment of our school,” she added. “I have strong morals, ethics and great relationships with community members. I am transparent about my views without having a political agenda.”
Riske said the best part of the district is the community.
“Manawa is a kind, generous community that rallies together when our school or students have needs,” she said. “However, I believe our teachers tie for what is the best part of the school district, as we have some of the best teachers around who are extremely dedicated to our students and want to see them all succeed.”
One of the challenges the district is facing is the recovery of student education following covid, Riske said.
“We need to talk to our staff and involve them in ways to improve this issue,” she said. “We need to involve our community by asking for parent volunteers, high school students and possibly retired teachers to do some kind of after-school homework club that focuses on deficits. We need to communicate with the staff and involve them in these decisions.”
Riske is currently a stay-at-home mom to three daughters, four cats and a dog.
She has her husband Dan have been residents of district their entire lives.
She is a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where she was involved in the board of education and youth board.
In her free time, Riske enjoys watching the Milwaukee Brewers, sitting by campfires and watching mystery shows.
“I look forward to dedicating my time and energy to our school district,” she said.
Scott Westphal
Westphal said his experience in the school and community makes him the best person for the job.
“I am the president of the Manawa Booster Club and I have been an active member in our community for close to 20 years,” he said. “I’ve coached T-ball, Little League, softball, boys’ and girls’ basketball and football.”
Being a project manager in the construction industry for many years is Westphal’s greatest asset, he said.
“I feel like I bring an open mind, honesty, integrity and humbleness, as well as listening to the people in our community,” he said.
He sees the kids and that faculty as the best part of the district. “I have been an eyewitness over the years of a faculty that truly cares about all of our kids and put their hearts and souls into the job.”
Westphal noted three challenges facing the district now.
“The obvious one is covid, but we also face declining enrollment as well as declining state test scores,” he said. “I think a lot of it comes down to listening and getting together as a board and administration to discuss methods, budgets as well as accountability.”
Westphal currently works for Pieper Electric. Prior to that he was with another electrical contractor for almost 26 years.
He and his wife Heidi have lived in the community for almost 20 years. They have two children.
“We chose the Manawa School District when we were looking at land to purchase for our house because of two things,” Westphal said. “Heidi’s parents live in Scandinavia and my parents live in Stephensville, so this is about halfway between. Plus, Heidi had some family that were in the district and had great things to say about it.”
Westphal has never regretted becoming a part of the community.
“I feel that I would be a great asset to our board,” he said. “Together with the community’s support, we can build a strong, sustainable school district.”
Nicole Rineck
“I believe it is part of one’s civic duty to be a part of the local school boards or municipalities,” Rineck said. “I will listen to all and follow what my constituents want to the best of my ability.”
She said she brings honesty, accountability and transparency.
“I work well in a team setting or independently to accomplish the goals at hand,” she said. “I don’t believe in knee jerk reactions to situations. Gather all the necessary information you need and make decisions/policies according to the law.”
Rineck believes parents and taxpayers getting more involved is the best part of the district, while the biggest challenge is below-average statewide tests.
“We need to get back to basic reading and math skills on all grade levels,” she said. “I mentioned this at the October 2020 annual board meeting. According to the test results this year, our student proficiency level has dropped in both math and reading. Our below basic has also increased, which means our children are not up to grade level. I would like to explore all possibilities to help our students become better equipped for college, trade school or the workplace.”
Rineck also wants more accountability.
“Sometimes it feels like people have their own agenda and not thinking what’s right or best for the students,” she said.
Rineck is a stay-at-home wife and grandmother who also does home health care.
She has lived in the Manawa School District since 1991. She and her husband Jeff have been married for 31 years and have two children and four grandsons.
The primary election will whittle the race down to two candidates that will appear on the ballot during the spring election on Tuesday, April 5.