Election 2018: Monroe School Board
The School District of Monroe Board of Education has three open seats in the upcoming election. President Bob Erb has decided not to seek re-election. Incumbents Mary Berger, vice president, and Amy Bazley, deputy clerk, are seeking to reclaim their spots on the board. Two write-ins have registered for the race: Teresa Keehn and Lisa Hendrickson, both former educators.
Position sought: Monroe School Board
Age: 66
City/town of residence: Monroe, Wisconsin
Family: Husband - Andy Hendrickson
Education: BA - Lawrence University, Appleton, WI; MS - Curriculum and Instruction, UW Madison
Occupation: Spanish teacher (Retired), World Language Curriculum Consultant
Previous elected positions held: none
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
The school district faces the challenge of obtaining adequate funding which impacts the ability to provide quality schools on many levels including funding infrastructure, staffing, technology, instructional materials, and more. Monroe is a small community of families, professionals, and retirees who have a limited income. Without a strong industrial tax base, it falls upon Monroe property owners to fund schools. For years, the school district has looked for ways to cut corners and not increase the tax burden on its residents. The recent referendum brought support for school funding, but it fell short of meeting all of the district's needs. Currently, a task force is studying district facility needs and considering whether or not to propose a new referendum to raise taxes to address physical building issues. Funding Monroe schools is a ongoing challenge. I will work to resolve this issue through careful study of district needs and communication with all stakeholders - Monroe residents, parents, students, staff, administrators, and fellow school board members to find a way to judiciously fund the best possible schools for Monroe's children.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Monroe's children face special challenges in a rapidly changing society. Technology is impacting relationships through social media and the way we obtain news and information through reliable and unreliable sources. Families are challenged to find time together and, in an increasing number of cases in Monroe, to provide financially for their basic needs. School provides a stable climate and a chance for children to gain the skills to face societal challenges. A child's experience in the classroom depends on the teacher who builds relationships and makes decisions about curriculum and instructional delivery on a day-to-day basis. He/she creates a caring and safe community that inspires a child to learn and grow. Teachers are the key to a quality educational community. They need to be encouraged to grow, collaborate, and strive to provide the best possible educational experience for their students. As a school board member, I will look for ways to boost teacher morale in the district and attract and retain talented and caring teachers to educate our children.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
As a retired school teacher and national World Language consultant with a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I understand what it means to deliver quality instruction and I will work to provide a positive educational experience for all students and a supportive and professional work environment for teachers as stated in the School District of Monroe Values and Goals document. I have worked with families, students, and schools in my role as an AFS Intercultural Exchange volunteer matching international exchange students with host families and sending Monroe students abroad. From 1994 - 2011, I coordinated the current MHS Costa Rican Exchange Program that brings Costa Rican students to live with Monroe families, attend school, and tour the area and sends Monroe students to Costa Rica. In this capacity, I have worked with local businesses and organizations, parents, and students to create positive exchanges and offer real-world international experiences outside of the classroom. I look forward to sharing my experience in the classroom, my international perspective, and my ability to communicate with students, staff, parents, administrators and the public in my role as a school board member.
Age: 66
City/town of residence: Monroe, Wisconsin
Family: Husband - Andy Hendrickson
Education: BA - Lawrence University, Appleton, WI; MS - Curriculum and Instruction, UW Madison
Occupation: Spanish teacher (Retired), World Language Curriculum Consultant
Previous elected positions held: none
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
The school district faces the challenge of obtaining adequate funding which impacts the ability to provide quality schools on many levels including funding infrastructure, staffing, technology, instructional materials, and more. Monroe is a small community of families, professionals, and retirees who have a limited income. Without a strong industrial tax base, it falls upon Monroe property owners to fund schools. For years, the school district has looked for ways to cut corners and not increase the tax burden on its residents. The recent referendum brought support for school funding, but it fell short of meeting all of the district's needs. Currently, a task force is studying district facility needs and considering whether or not to propose a new referendum to raise taxes to address physical building issues. Funding Monroe schools is a ongoing challenge. I will work to resolve this issue through careful study of district needs and communication with all stakeholders - Monroe residents, parents, students, staff, administrators, and fellow school board members to find a way to judiciously fund the best possible schools for Monroe's children.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Monroe's children face special challenges in a rapidly changing society. Technology is impacting relationships through social media and the way we obtain news and information through reliable and unreliable sources. Families are challenged to find time together and, in an increasing number of cases in Monroe, to provide financially for their basic needs. School provides a stable climate and a chance for children to gain the skills to face societal challenges. A child's experience in the classroom depends on the teacher who builds relationships and makes decisions about curriculum and instructional delivery on a day-to-day basis. He/she creates a caring and safe community that inspires a child to learn and grow. Teachers are the key to a quality educational community. They need to be encouraged to grow, collaborate, and strive to provide the best possible educational experience for their students. As a school board member, I will look for ways to boost teacher morale in the district and attract and retain talented and caring teachers to educate our children.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
As a retired school teacher and national World Language consultant with a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I understand what it means to deliver quality instruction and I will work to provide a positive educational experience for all students and a supportive and professional work environment for teachers as stated in the School District of Monroe Values and Goals document. I have worked with families, students, and schools in my role as an AFS Intercultural Exchange volunteer matching international exchange students with host families and sending Monroe students abroad. From 1994 - 2011, I coordinated the current MHS Costa Rican Exchange Program that brings Costa Rican students to live with Monroe families, attend school, and tour the area and sends Monroe students to Costa Rica. In this capacity, I have worked with local businesses and organizations, parents, and students to create positive exchanges and offer real-world international experiences outside of the classroom. I look forward to sharing my experience in the classroom, my international perspective, and my ability to communicate with students, staff, parents, administrators and the public in my role as a school board member.