Monroe School Board
There are three seats up for election on the Monroe school board. Running are incumbents Michael Boehme, Brian Keith and Larry Eakins, and James Plourde and Chuck Vierthaler is running as a write-in candidate.
Name: James Plourde
Position sought: Monroe School Board
Age: 56
City/town of residence: I have lived in Monroe for the past 28 years.
Family: Wife, Laurie; Children, Lauren and Nimmer
Education: I have earned a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education (reading), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Additionally, I have received graduate training in Special Education at UW-Whitewater and am licensed to teach special education in grades 6 through 12.
Occupation: I am employed part-time by Blackhawk Technical College in Monroe as an HSED/GED instructor. I also work as a substitute teacher, primarily in the Monroe schools.
Previous elected positions held: This is the first time that I have sought an elected position.
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
Two major issues come to mind - school funding and implementation of initiatives and mandates aimed at accountability. Budgeting concerns have caused many cuts in staff and programs over the past several years. Mandates and initiatives have increased the demands placed on staff as well as administration. To the credit of all, The Monroe School District continues to provide a quality education.
This district has top-notch people devoted to education. As a board member, I would hope to encourage everyone to work together, and to take advantage of the best everyone has to offer- experience and historical perspective, innovation, vision, leadership, etc. - to come up with creative solutions to continue to move the district forward.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Monroe is a quality school district. State mandates, initiatives, and the push for accountability are putting pressure on the district to alter procedures or to initiate new ones at a rapid pace. Change is difficult and often creates anxiety. As a school board member, I would work to ease anxiety by promoting open communication - respecting what is working and promoting sound new policies and procedures. Again, to everyone's credit, our Monroe schools continue to offer a quality education for all students.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I would approach this position with an open mind-realizing that although I have a background in education, I do not know everything. I am a good listener and I do not hesitate to seek out information from credible sources or people. My goal is to be an honest, well-informed, positive contributor to the Monroe School District and the Board of Education.
Position sought: Monroe School Board
Age: 56
City/town of residence: I have lived in Monroe for the past 28 years.
Family: Wife, Laurie; Children, Lauren and Nimmer
Education: I have earned a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education (reading), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Additionally, I have received graduate training in Special Education at UW-Whitewater and am licensed to teach special education in grades 6 through 12.
Occupation: I am employed part-time by Blackhawk Technical College in Monroe as an HSED/GED instructor. I also work as a substitute teacher, primarily in the Monroe schools.
Previous elected positions held: This is the first time that I have sought an elected position.
What are the top issues facing this district/board and how would you work to resolve them?
Two major issues come to mind - school funding and implementation of initiatives and mandates aimed at accountability. Budgeting concerns have caused many cuts in staff and programs over the past several years. Mandates and initiatives have increased the demands placed on staff as well as administration. To the credit of all, The Monroe School District continues to provide a quality education.
This district has top-notch people devoted to education. As a board member, I would hope to encourage everyone to work together, and to take advantage of the best everyone has to offer- experience and historical perspective, innovation, vision, leadership, etc. - to come up with creative solutions to continue to move the district forward.
What are other key issues facing the district/board, and how would you work to resolve them?
Monroe is a quality school district. State mandates, initiatives, and the push for accountability are putting pressure on the district to alter procedures or to initiate new ones at a rapid pace. Change is difficult and often creates anxiety. As a school board member, I would work to ease anxiety by promoting open communication - respecting what is working and promoting sound new policies and procedures. Again, to everyone's credit, our Monroe schools continue to offer a quality education for all students.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I would approach this position with an open mind-realizing that although I have a background in education, I do not know everything. I am a good listener and I do not hesitate to seek out information from credible sources or people. My goal is to be an honest, well-informed, positive contributor to the Monroe School District and the Board of Education.