Candidate Forum

Yesterday witnessed the Monona Grove School Board Candidate Forum hosted by the LWV, the PTO organization and Channel 12. Thanks to all that helped make this happen, and all those that tuned in.

The forum will be rebroadcast on Channel 12 in Monona and CG: Click here for Monona Schedule , Tune to channel 12 for the schedule in CG.

I have posted here my opening and closing statements for those who missed the broadcast:

Good evening, My name is Peter Sobol – I live with my wife Kristin and two children on Midwood avenue in Monona – My kids, Katherine and Will, attend Nichols elementary in the 3rd and 4th grades.

Several years ago we moved from California to Monona in large part driven by a desire to find better school options for our children. Our research convinced us that this area has some of the best public schools in the country, the tangible community support apparent in the Monona Grove schools convinced us that this would be an excellent place to educate our children. What we found here was more than great schools, but also a great community and great neighbors. There is a sense of community here that is missing in many places in this country, a sense of community that pulls you in and makes one want to be a part – to participate and give back.

I first got involved with the schools over the issue of the district split – my own analysis, backed up by the contracted studies, led me to see that this would be detrimental to the district and a threat to my investment in the community. Since then I have worked with members and leaders of both Monona and Cottage Grove in support of district unity and to meet the need for improved quality facilities in the district.

Friends and neighbors who got to know during this time convinced me that I had skills that would make me an asset to the school board, and that this would be a good way for me to take advantage of my talents to participate in the community. I am a scientist by training and profession who had moved up the corporate ladder to senior management of large successful organization. I have made a career of analysis – gathering information, assembling and analyzing it in creative ways in order to make informed decisions. More than anything else I bring to the school board the unbiased and independent analytical approach to problem solving that has made me an asset to every organization I have been a part of.

This district, compared to others, is in a great shape. Thanks to community support, we are NOT in the position where we have to make the tough decisions about cuts to services and programming that would degrade the educational experience of our students. The best way to maintain this community support is to carefully manage the resources of the district with an eye toward the future– so that it is clear that every dollar is BEST spent – and to regularly solicit and respond to feedback from all stakeholders.

Lastly, I am the challenger who has consistently supported and worked toward the continued unity of this district, and has gone to bat in support of what I honestly believe is the best interest of both communities. Although we purchased a house in Monona, an investment I want very much to protect, we also recognized we were buying into the unified Monona Grove school district. I strongly believe that the job of the school board is to place the interests of the students first, and be guided by the principle that from the point of view of the student, there should be, as much as possible, equal access to equivalent education and quality resources. By doing so the needs of both communities are served best.


Closing Statement
I want to thank the League of Women Voters, The PTO organizations and channel 12 for organizing and hosting this forum. I want to thank the other candidates for their concern for and willingness to serve the schools and the communities in which we reside. I want to thank the audience and viewers who have taken this time to become informed about the candidates. And I want to thank the community for building this quality district that drew us here – you have accomplished much to be proud of.

At the end of the day I have a vision where Dane County residents can compare school districts and conclude that the Monona Grove school district is the best place to educate their children. Parents will be able to see that this school district provides the best education, programs, opportunities and outcomes in a safe, nurturing environment. It is ambitious, but when I consider our community support, leadership focused on achievement and excellent teaching staff, I know it is within our reach. Our communities pay a lot for these schools and they have a right to demand excellence.