Brodhead School Board
Newcomer Dan Calhoon, along with incumbents Jim Wahl and Michael Oellerich, is running for one of three spots on the Brodhead school board.
Name: Dan Calhoon
Position sought: Brodhead school board
Age: 52
City/town of residence: Brodhead
Family: Wife, Suzanne; Children, Erika, 27; Zach, 21; and Erin, 21
Education: Graduated from Milton High School
Education Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Occupation: Retired teacher
Previous elected positions held: None
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
I think the Brodhead school system is an excellent school system. With the challenges of decreasing enrollment as well as a large diminishing of state aid, I would like to be a part of ensuring that excellence as we move into the future. We need strong public schools, and providing our students with a quality education is their civic right. We also need to work to level the playing fields between districts as well. It's unfair to students that some districts are able to offer so much and others struggle to offer the classes that our students need in order to be competitive with other students from around the state. This is invaluable in preparing and applying to colleges and for scholarships.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Building maintenance is a key issue as our facilities age and programs change and the needs of our students change as well. Additional requirements by the state also play a big role in how we can utilize every dollar. It's a tough challenge.
I also want to work to spotlight our schools and activities more and work in a positive way to educate more of the public on our total communities' responsibility in funding our school system. Our schools are our hub. And although I agree that the teachers and public employees should have to share in the cost of their health insurance and retirement, I also want our staff and employees to feel valued and respected for the professionals that they are. We can do more to do that.
Position sought: Brodhead school board
Age: 52
City/town of residence: Brodhead
Family: Wife, Suzanne; Children, Erika, 27; Zach, 21; and Erin, 21
Education: Graduated from Milton High School
Education Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Occupation: Retired teacher
Previous elected positions held: None
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
I think the Brodhead school system is an excellent school system. With the challenges of decreasing enrollment as well as a large diminishing of state aid, I would like to be a part of ensuring that excellence as we move into the future. We need strong public schools, and providing our students with a quality education is their civic right. We also need to work to level the playing fields between districts as well. It's unfair to students that some districts are able to offer so much and others struggle to offer the classes that our students need in order to be competitive with other students from around the state. This is invaluable in preparing and applying to colleges and for scholarships.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Building maintenance is a key issue as our facilities age and programs change and the needs of our students change as well. Additional requirements by the state also play a big role in how we can utilize every dollar. It's a tough challenge.
I also want to work to spotlight our schools and activities more and work in a positive way to educate more of the public on our total communities' responsibility in funding our school system. Our schools are our hub. And although I agree that the teachers and public employees should have to share in the cost of their health insurance and retirement, I also want our staff and employees to feel valued and respected for the professionals that they are. We can do more to do that.