Questionnaire finds candidates’ differences
Six candidates ready to square off in School Board primary
By KRISTEN J. KUBISIAK Daily News Staff
The primary election to narrow the field of candidates competing for the two open seats on the West Bend School Board is almost a week away. The Washington County Daily News sent questionnaires to each of the eight candidates. Six of the candidates — incumbent Lynn Corazzi, Randy Marquardt, Doug Rakowski, incumbent Kathy Van Eerden, David Weigand, and Doug Ziegler — completed the questionnaires. Two candidates, Bart Williams and Carl Knepel, withdrew from the race. Williams said he will remain active in the race, but not as a candidate. He is campaigning for Randy Marquardt and Dave Weigand. Knepel, who decided not to run because he no longer resides in the district, said he is supporting incumbents Lynn Corazzi and Kathy Van Eerden. Questions are listed along with the candidate's response. Candidate responses appear in alphabetical order, by last name. Q: What is your assessment of the current state of the West Bend School District: What do you see as its successes? Corazzi: Despite years of spending reductions, at the high schools we implemented a new engineering based program (Project Lead the Way), redesigned family living into a first class culinary arts program, partnered with MPTC in a new certified nursing assistant program and implemented intervention programs to improve student success at all levels. We have a strategic planning process, measure results and operate the district more like a business; and are improving communication with the community. Marquardt: We need to continue to find creative ways to get good results with fewer resources than other districts. Our greatest success has been the excellent final product (educated kids), opportunities and status that we have achieved as a district. Rakowski: The West Bend School District is in pretty good condition academically, but financially it has problems. The district's greatest success is the students themselves. When it comes to scholarships and college enrollments our students don't take a back seat to anyone. Van Eerden: West Bend is recognized by Newsweek as a high performing district academically. Successes include implementation of rigorous curriculum, expanded services for atrisk students, and facility planning, among others. Weigand: We have been able to offer quality education while being "one of the lowest spending districts." We have something to be proud of. After checking how much districts around the state spend per pupil, I have found that spending more per pupil does not mean higher test scores. Self-insuring our employees contributes to our ability to control spending. Ziegler: It's good but can be improved. It's been 40 years since I was involved so I don't think I am qualified to say what are it's greatest successes.
Q: What do you see as the district’s biggest challenges? Corazzi: Maintain quality education, including class and program offerings, and class sizes that support learning while facing a difficult financial situation; reconnect the community with the schools to demonstrate the quality and efficient delivery of the education we offer — we need to talk about what the community values long term instead of just costs; and provide sufficient classroom space to maintain a quality learning environment. Marquardt: The greatest challenge is the constant financial decisions that need to be made due to an ill-conceived state funding formula, mounting employee costs (both current and legacy), and enrollment increases/ population shifts. Also, building maintenance needs that were ignored in the past must be addressed. Rakowski: The biggest challenge facing the district is financial — being able to provide a world class education for students within the budget constraints we face. Van Eerden: F u n d i n g , facility and space needs, and academic achievement are ongoing challenges. Weigand: Making up for deferred maintenance because of previous board’s lack of foresight. It can be done, but it will need new board members to do it. Obviously, we will need to balance the budget with less state money coming in, and the probability of teacher salary increases. Ziegler: It’s been 40 years since I was involved so I don’t think I am qualified to say what are it’s greatest challenges. Q: If you are elected, what would be your top 3 priorities? Corazzi: 1. Support the transition of our curriculum to a model aligned with the ACT. This should increase the academic rigor for all students and ensure our students are even better prepared for success after high school. 2. Make all District financial information available and understandable. The community wants more visibility to how dollars are spent. In addition to the dollars, we also need to improve understanding of other key data, including trends for student and teacher enrollment, cost per student, and the number of AP Classes offered. 3. Find a way to make communication with the community a two-way conversation. The District can share more information, but we also need to understand what type of education experience the community values. Marquardt: I want to be an advocate for the taxpayers and help restore the community’s trust in the board and district — I believe it has eroded and some people wonder if they’re getting facts or just “spin.” I would encourage a “zero baseline"” approach to the budget — the baseline would be the staffing/spending level that is required by state mandate. That is our mission, that no one can argue about; beyond that level, an honest discussion can be had during each budget cycle about what types of additional pro-gramming we as a community, choose to provide for our children. Finally, I want to help re-analyze our facility situation following the Badger reconstruction and several years of completed maintenance projects. Rakowski: My first priority is finance — make sure we can afford the education we want. Second, maintain or upgrade scholastic situation. I don’t think we should ever be satisfied with the status quo. Third, get parents and the community more involved. I see the school as a square made up of four parts — the school, community, teachers and students. All four have to work together. Van Eerden: As a nineyear veteran of the West Bend School Board, I am committed to public education. My priorities focus on: providing academic programming to position students for post-high school success, focusing on longterm decision-making to address what is best for the West Bend School District, and addressing the challenge of budget reductions, staff benefit costs, and facility issues. Weigand: First, I would like to see “rationale” included in agenda items brought to/from the board and/or administration. By including rationale, we can understand the reasons behind agenda items and have better discussions while working towards meeting the needs of the community. Second, I would like to be a part of providing a quality education to our students at a price taxpayers can afford. Third, I would like to work toward developing a better relationship between the school district and the community. Taxpayers should expect excellent communication and high integrity via transparency. Ziegler: First, help with budgetary issues — I have had a lot of exeperience in that area. Second, review the one or two high school option. It was during my tenure on the school board in the mid-60s that the two schools on one campus came into being. It’s time to revisit that subject. Third, I would strive to improve the entire district — all of the candidates should have that as an objective. All parts of the district need attention - building maintenance, education, the kids, expanded schools, the list goes on. Q: Why should you be elected to the School Board? Corazzi: After three years of direct involvement with West Bend Schools, I am dedicated to preserving quality education and the programs that our community values. I understand the complexity of what it takes to deliver education and the challenges we face. I will represent the long-term interest of taxpayers who recognize the link between excellent schools and property values, not just those taxpayers who believe being the sixth lowest spending district in the state isn’t good enough. Marquardt: My background as a service-sector businessman, including experience gained from various legal issues, will prove an asset. My experience with public building design and maintenance issues will be valuable as we address facility repairs and expansion questions. I also bring a common-sense, conservative perspective to all topics — which I believe can help improve the relationship of the board with the public. Rakowski: I have the business experiences and educational experiences. I have a deep concern for the citizens of West Bend and their financial situation. Van Eerden: As the longest serving current Board member, I bring proven leadership. Those that know me will acknowledge my commitment to the use of data, my preparation, and my thoughtful decisionmaking. My school board experience brings perspective and knowledge of the issues. I have addressed complex financial issues and implemented curriculum improvements to better position students for success. My years as a nurse educator and my current role as Dean of Health Sciences give me strengths in curriculum and instruction. Weigand: I question the status quo. I would bring some fresh ideas and new perspective. I am a problem solver. The solution to a problem is not always to throw money at it. Let’s address the problems and find real solutions. Ziegler: I would like to become a member of the board of education again. I did serve in this capacity during the mid to late ‘60s. My experience and perspective on items and issues that are apt to come before this board would serve the electorate well. Q: Eight candidates are running for two spots on the School Board. To what do you attribute that interest? Corazzi: Unfortunately, I believe it is taxes, not a real desire or interest in maintaining quality education. Passage of the Badger referendum and a levy increase driven mainly by a $2.4 million state aid reduction created a focus on taxes. The district is not financially mismanaged. We have a AA Bond rating, the lowest tax rate and one of the lowest per pupil spending rates and still offer a great education. Two candidates, myself included, view education as an investment in our students and community and therefore support maintaining the quality education that earns West Bend state and national recognition. In contrast, at least two candidates have program cuts and no taxes as their primary message. Marquardt: I think there is general dissatisfaction with the way the current board has handled some issues this past year. In some cases, it was the final decision; in others, it was the process used to drum up political support for the direction the board and administration wished to move. Van Eerden: I believe that anyone who runs for school board must support public education and have an interest in commiting time and energy to the diverse areas of responsibility involved in board service. Rakowski: I think we are in a volatile situation. Eight people running for two seats is a lot of interest — it means people want change. If people were satisfied with the job the board was doing, we wouldn’t have eight candidates. Weigand: I sense that the community feels they are not being properly represented, which is supposed to be the job of the Board. The current board listened to the taxpayers in the district with tin ears. I offer myself as a candidate to bring some balance to the board." Ziegler: I think the issues that have been publicized plus the desire to give back to the community.