If you haven't noticed, its because it has been a quiet campaign for school board so far this year. But that doesn't mean it's not as important as ever. The district faces a host of difficult issues including a structural deficit, an unsupportable OPEB liability, a state budget deficit, a shift to outcome and readiness standard based education, the need for careful unbiased strategic planning and the widespread pain being felt by the taxpayer in the current economy.
Now more then ever the district needs people with dedication, experience and understanding of organizational management, school system finance, compensation issues, strategic planning, continuous improvement, the ability to do in-depth research and the tools to reach unbiased conclusions from complex information. We need people who know how to work together and get things done and understand that in democratic institutions compromise is the key to progress.
I'd ask you keep these things in mind when you attend the:
School Board Candidates' Forum Sunday, March 15, 4-6 PM in the MGHS Library.
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29 comments:
Peter, you are so right.
We need really, really experienced folks who have a lot of business experience and also some school board experience. I am voting for the incumbent for many reasons- one being that we really don't need 3 newbies on the board at this critical moment in time. And the two guys who have served on committees and have already dedicated time to the district-- the WHOLE district--- seem like winners.
I was really disappointed by all of the candidates regarding budget issues. Unless I missed it, there was not a discussion of whether or not the board will raise property taxes a lot in order to avoid deep cuts. And speaking of cuts, a lot of lip service to being more efficient, etc., but no plain talk about how bad it could be and how they would handle it. That leaves me wondering, do they not get how difficult this is going to be? Or are they just afraid to speak candidly? Either way, it is troubling.
I hope that who we elect will look beyond numbers only. I hope whoever is elected will also consider how their decisions impact kids not just the property tax rolls of each of the cities. I know that budgets are important but we need to think about kids, too.
With all due respect, I think pledging to do things like "look beyond numbers" and to "think about the kids" is happy talk. All of these people seem to care very much about the kids. That's a wonder ful thing, but it's not the point. The point is kids are going to be hurt by the budgets in the next few years. Look at the paper today. Waupun is closing three elementary schools and busing all their elementary kids to one school to close a million dollar budget hole. That is the sort of stuff Wisconsin school districts are facing. We need board members who have the stomach for what may come.
"We need board members who have the stomach for what may come."
Yep, fire in the belly and breathing brimstone. Our district has been far too short of these types of board members for too long.
I too was very disappointed in the debate. No big ideas, no actual guts. just a lot of nice statements about open communication and putting kids first. We have a "ad hoc facilities committee" which is going nowhere because no one on the board has the guts to make some constituency unhappy. Make a decision and move on.
I was looking for some real leadership and some real ideas, and I got neither.
Urgh.
"I too was very disappointed in the debate. No big ideas, no actual guts. just a lot of nice statements about open communication and putting kids first. We have a "ad hoc facilities committee" which is going nowhere because no one on the board has the guts to make some constituency unhappy. Make a decision and move on.
I was looking for some real leadership and some real ideas, and I got neither.
Urgh.
I will be blunt and Peter can delete it. I did not watch the debate, but I would rather have what you have outlined than the fire-in-the-belly crap.
We had that with three or four former board members they knew how to really tell people what their problem was and put them in their place and I never enjoyed it.
I see we have board members endorsed by the MG teacher's union. Given that we cannot sustain our present level of retirement benefits, will this affect these individuals' ability to support a teacher's contract that is in the best interest of the taxpayers?
The candidates statements are a reflection of the electorate. Its not the fault of the candidates.
Deleted above due to unsupported accusations.
"The candidates statements are a reflection of the electorate. Its not the fault of the candidates"
How is this supported?
" Given that we cannot sustain our present level of retirement benefits, will this affect these individuals' ability to support a teacher's contract that is in the best interest of the taxpayers?"
This is an accusation disguised as a question. We need some support-
>"The candidates statements are a >reflection of the electorate. Its
>not the fault of the candidates"
>How is this supported?
This is clearly an opinion and doesn't accuse anyone of anything.
>" Given that we cannot sustain
>our present level of retirement
>benefits, will this affect these
>individuals' ability to support a
>teacher's contract that is in the
>best interest of the taxpayers?"
>This is an accusation disguised
>as a question. We need some
>support-
The facts of the endorsement are public and so the statement is supported. Aside from that it is a valid question.
But my personal opinion is that there is no conflict between fixing the unfunded OPEB liability and acting in the best interest of the teachers. A solid financial situation is in everyone's best interest.
Who is endorsed? How did they get the endorsement? In my mind, that questions whether I vote for them or not! Maybe not. We already have school board members not willing to stand up to teachers- no more!
"Who is endorsed? How did they get the endorsement? In my mind, that questions whether I vote for them or not! Maybe not. We already have school board members not willing to stand up to teachers- no more!"
Why are many of you looking at this as an Us vs. Them scenario? Shouldn't we be looking at this as a partnership? We need the best teachers we can find to educate our students and the best teachers want to work at good school districts.
I am one of the 3 candidates that received an endorsement from MGEA. I went thru the interview they offered to all of us and appreciate the endorsement that they have given me. Does this make me a “puppet” for the teachers union? NO!!!
I hope that my view of the relationship between the employees and the district as a partnership is part of what earned me their endorsement. If elected, I know that at some point I will make a vote that angers the employee unions and I will also make votes that work in their favor. However, in each instance you can be assured that my decisions will be in the best interest of the district.
Several of the above posts have stated that you are looking for someone who has a backbone to make the hard decisions. I have to make hard decisions on a daily basis and the hardest part of that is how you are impacting an individual’s ability to provide for their family. It is not a job that I enjoy, but it is part of my job. So please do not think for one minute that I do not have the stomach or the guts to stand up and make the tough decisions. But also be assured I will not make them without thinking of the consequences on the district and on the individuals involved.
Lastly, as a member of the ad-hoc committee and a school board candidate I could be out pushing for a particular solution at the forums. However, I do not see that as being in the best interest of the committee or the district. As I have said at the forums and in interviews and as Peter has said here, the ad-hoc committee needs to work thru the process and me out pushing my views independent of the committee is not in my nature. The committee needs to work towards a solution that is in the best interest of the entire district and I truly believe that it will come up with recommendations that achieve that.
If any of you has any further questions for me on these issues or on other issues please do not hesitate to contact me directly at jason.mccutchin@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Jason McCutchin
Candidate for School Board
Which other candidates have MGEA endorsement?
Jessica Ace and Lionel Norton were also endorsed by MGEA.
Our teachers are a very important asset and we must be willing to attract and keep highly skilled teachers to maintain a high academic standing for the district. I honestly believe that this endorsement was because of my openness and willingness to work on certain issues together with the union to reach resolution, as well as my understanding of issues related to education in this district. I do not feel indebted to the teachers’ union because of this endorsement and I would work on a solution that works best for all. I have spoken with some teachers and they know that some concessions, related especially to retirement benefits, will need to be given in the near future, or we will risk having to make some cuts that could affect such things as class sizes or class offerings. Members of the school board do not serve on the negotiating team at this time, but are sometimes asked for guidance by the superintendent, and the board ultimately approves the contract. As a tax paying member of the community, I will definitely be working on solutions that will not depend on having to pass referendums in order to spend above the revenue caps and in order to reduce the district’s future post employment benefit debt. Any further questions feel free to send me an email @ llnorton@charter.net or visit my website lionelnorton4schoolboard.com .
Sincerely,
Lionel Norton
Candidate for MG School Board
Lion-
Thanks for the great response I sure hope you win-you have my support.
Heard through 'vine that Peter is also supporting-glad to hear that he let you know that you were taking some shots-stay the course.
so Peter is supporting Jason, is that what your saying? Then he must be in the closet, cause Peter has not said anything to me.
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