Darlington School Board
There are five candidates for four seats on the Darlington school board. Incumbents Matt Crist, Matt Wilson and Teresa Siegenthaler are being challenged by Donna Jean Wiegel and Judy Huntington.
Position sought: Board Member - Darlington Community School District
City/town of residence: Darlington
Family: My family consists of my husband Randy, our adult children Lisa and Jim Reilly, Laura Huntington and Tate Huntington. We have been blessed with two grandchildren; David and Madison.
Education: I attended Dodgeville Public Schools and graduated from Dodgeville HS in 1972. I was accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Madison College and graduated in 1974 with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene.
Occupation: Dental Hygienist - 40 plus years
Previous elected positions held: Darlington School Board member 2008-2014
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
The top issue at this time is the Referendum question that will be voted on in the Spring Election. I believe the current Board is doing what needs to be done; educating the voters on the necessity for this Referendum question. If elected I would collaborate with board members to prudently use the monies entrusted to the District.
Budgetary items continue to be an issue. With less State Aid, increases in state mandates, increases in health insurance costs, increasing costs of educational materials, fuel, food and electricity, School Boards need to be continually educating themselves on alternative ways to stretch the budget. If elected I would attend educational opportunities for board members and network with board members from other districts to research ways to stretch the budget.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Other issues facing the Darlington Community School District are space concerns at the elementary/middle school and a need for restructuring at the high school.
I feel that education is changing. The Board needs to seek ways to improve the availability of classes for the students headed to four year colleges as well as classes for students heading into technical colleges. Classes taken with credits that will transfer to either a four year college or technical college, while the student is in high school, will save the student time and parent money,
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I am the best candidate for this office because of my previous six years of School Board experience, five as Board Clerk. I attended the State School Board Convention four of the six years I was on the Board, learning and networking.
In the six years, I missed one regular Board meeting and one committee meeting, showing my dedication to the office.
City/town of residence: Darlington
Family: My family consists of my husband Randy, our adult children Lisa and Jim Reilly, Laura Huntington and Tate Huntington. We have been blessed with two grandchildren; David and Madison.
Education: I attended Dodgeville Public Schools and graduated from Dodgeville HS in 1972. I was accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at Madison College and graduated in 1974 with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene.
Occupation: Dental Hygienist - 40 plus years
Previous elected positions held: Darlington School Board member 2008-2014
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
The top issue at this time is the Referendum question that will be voted on in the Spring Election. I believe the current Board is doing what needs to be done; educating the voters on the necessity for this Referendum question. If elected I would collaborate with board members to prudently use the monies entrusted to the District.
Budgetary items continue to be an issue. With less State Aid, increases in state mandates, increases in health insurance costs, increasing costs of educational materials, fuel, food and electricity, School Boards need to be continually educating themselves on alternative ways to stretch the budget. If elected I would attend educational opportunities for board members and network with board members from other districts to research ways to stretch the budget.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Other issues facing the Darlington Community School District are space concerns at the elementary/middle school and a need for restructuring at the high school.
I feel that education is changing. The Board needs to seek ways to improve the availability of classes for the students headed to four year colleges as well as classes for students heading into technical colleges. Classes taken with credits that will transfer to either a four year college or technical college, while the student is in high school, will save the student time and parent money,
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I am the best candidate for this office because of my previous six years of School Board experience, five as Board Clerk. I attended the State School Board Convention four of the six years I was on the Board, learning and networking.
In the six years, I missed one regular Board meeting and one committee meeting, showing my dedication to the office.