Monroe School Board
There are five candidates for three seats on the Monroe school board. Nikki Matley, Cheryl McGuire and incumbents Michael Boehme, Brian Keith and Jim Plourde are running.
Position sought: Monroe school board
Age: 43
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Son, Tyler (14) attending Monroe Middle School and Abigail (11) attending Northside Elementary School; Fiance Kevin Austin (local business owner)
Education: Argyle High School (valedictorian), and UW-Whitewater Graduate BA in communication, public relations emphasis, minor in marketing
Occupation: financial associate with Thrivent Financial
Previous elected positions held: Politically, none. Elected to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Board (president), Green County Development Corporation (president), Monroe Kiwanis (president), Green County Leader (co-chair), REACH Foundation (board member)
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
Without question, our Board of Education needs to be fiscally responsible, using taxpayer resources appropriately to provide the very best education to our students, while also showing the community that we are good stewards of their tax dollars. This is especially true following the recently passed referendum, where I saw first-hand how important it is for the community to have a pulse for what's happening within the district in order for taxpayers to support the school's initiatives.
I firmly believe that our schools are the "heart" of economic development, and are necessary for recruitment efforts and growth of local businesses. Great schools are the cornerstone of great communities, and Monroe is no exception. How we educate our young people is of critical importance, and all students deserve to have access to a high-quality education. We owe our students the opportunity to have an education that puts them on the road to success, and to work with the amazing talent we have across the Monroe community to develop our citizens of the future. I believe my previous leadership positions in multiple community organizations, along with my connections, not only in the schools, but among the entire community, will allow me to help develop and foster the relationship between the schools and the greater Monroe community.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
It is vitally important that our schools and community have transparency and an ongoing positive working relationship. Our community, school district and school board, working together as one team, are incredibly important to me if we are to put our students on a solid path toward the future. I am committed to making this a priority for our schools.
In addition, gaining the skills to succeed in today's world has never been more important for our students and it's critical that we do all we can to provide opportunities for our young people to grow and excel. Regardless of whether our students choose to attend college, technical school, or enter the work force, providing our students with the training they need to put them on a path for growth is necessary. As a school board member, I will work every day to put the best interests of students first. To me, this means having a strong, high-quality curriculum, attracting and retaining the best teachers and staff possible, and working to meet the unique needs of every student that we serve. It is these principles that will drive my actions as a member of the Monroe School Board.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I'm passionate about our community and continually strive to do my part to help to make Monroe the best it can be. Because of my track record of involvement in Green County Leaders, Green County Development Corporation, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Kiwanis and other local organizations, I believe I can provide leadership and expertise to the Monroe School Board and help continue the collaborative effort with the community that was begun by the Say YES! To Monroe Schools referendum efforts last fall.
I am also deeply committed to our future generation - our students. I believe that all decisions I make as part of a school board should be in response to the question, "Is this good for kids?" To do this, I believe I need to listen and be open and responsive to others, I need to study and understand data and research, and ultimately be willing to make tough decisions when they are in the best interest of children.
If elected, I look forward to the opportunity to serve the Monroe School Board, the School District of Monroe, and the community that is now my home. I am committed to doing my very best to help make our schools the best they can possibly be.
Age: 43
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Son, Tyler (14) attending Monroe Middle School and Abigail (11) attending Northside Elementary School; Fiance Kevin Austin (local business owner)
Education: Argyle High School (valedictorian), and UW-Whitewater Graduate BA in communication, public relations emphasis, minor in marketing
Occupation: financial associate with Thrivent Financial
Previous elected positions held: Politically, none. Elected to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce Board (president), Green County Development Corporation (president), Monroe Kiwanis (president), Green County Leader (co-chair), REACH Foundation (board member)
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
Without question, our Board of Education needs to be fiscally responsible, using taxpayer resources appropriately to provide the very best education to our students, while also showing the community that we are good stewards of their tax dollars. This is especially true following the recently passed referendum, where I saw first-hand how important it is for the community to have a pulse for what's happening within the district in order for taxpayers to support the school's initiatives.
I firmly believe that our schools are the "heart" of economic development, and are necessary for recruitment efforts and growth of local businesses. Great schools are the cornerstone of great communities, and Monroe is no exception. How we educate our young people is of critical importance, and all students deserve to have access to a high-quality education. We owe our students the opportunity to have an education that puts them on the road to success, and to work with the amazing talent we have across the Monroe community to develop our citizens of the future. I believe my previous leadership positions in multiple community organizations, along with my connections, not only in the schools, but among the entire community, will allow me to help develop and foster the relationship between the schools and the greater Monroe community.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
It is vitally important that our schools and community have transparency and an ongoing positive working relationship. Our community, school district and school board, working together as one team, are incredibly important to me if we are to put our students on a solid path toward the future. I am committed to making this a priority for our schools.
In addition, gaining the skills to succeed in today's world has never been more important for our students and it's critical that we do all we can to provide opportunities for our young people to grow and excel. Regardless of whether our students choose to attend college, technical school, or enter the work force, providing our students with the training they need to put them on a path for growth is necessary. As a school board member, I will work every day to put the best interests of students first. To me, this means having a strong, high-quality curriculum, attracting and retaining the best teachers and staff possible, and working to meet the unique needs of every student that we serve. It is these principles that will drive my actions as a member of the Monroe School Board.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I'm passionate about our community and continually strive to do my part to help to make Monroe the best it can be. Because of my track record of involvement in Green County Leaders, Green County Development Corporation, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Monroe Kiwanis and other local organizations, I believe I can provide leadership and expertise to the Monroe School Board and help continue the collaborative effort with the community that was begun by the Say YES! To Monroe Schools referendum efforts last fall.
I am also deeply committed to our future generation - our students. I believe that all decisions I make as part of a school board should be in response to the question, "Is this good for kids?" To do this, I believe I need to listen and be open and responsive to others, I need to study and understand data and research, and ultimately be willing to make tough decisions when they are in the best interest of children.
If elected, I look forward to the opportunity to serve the Monroe School Board, the School District of Monroe, and the community that is now my home. I am committed to doing my very best to help make our schools the best they can possibly be.