Position sought: Pecatonica Area Schools Board of Education
Age: 62
City/town of residence: Town of Waldwick, Iowa County
Family: Wife Marilyn Rolfsmeyer, daughter, Ruth, 24); sons Joe, 22, and Ricky, 20, all graduates of Pecatonica.
Education: Edgewood High School, 1968; attended University of Wisconsin-Madison
Occupation: Executive director, Folklore Village, Dodgeville; self-employed consultant
Previous elected positions held: President, Pecatonica Area Schools Board of Education.
What are the top issues facing this district and how would you work to resolve them?
1) While I support a parent's right to choose the school that is best for their kids, I also realize that it is getting harder for small schools with a limited course selection to compete with larger schools that can offer a wider variety of curricula. At Pecatonica, we have continued to keep the class sizes small so teachers can spend as much time as possible with each student. We've been able to trim administrative costs and add more classes. In the future, I support exploring things like sharing teachers/classes with neighboring districts and adding more online courses. I do not believe a computer can replace a teacher, but technology can help bring more curricular offerings and unique ways for the kids to learn. Small schools bring many benefits; I'm glad my kids attended Pecatonica.
2) School funding is a big issue for any school board member, and state aid reductions were really hard on small districts. I agree with Sen. Schultz when he suggests Wisconsin can't afford two school systems, so believe that funding urban voucher programs off the top and giving what's left to public schools threatens our ability to give rural students the same quality learning experiences as found in big districts. I support the Fair Funding for Our Future plan and will continue to work with state policy makers to make school funding in Wisconsin fair for all, rural and urban.
What are other key issues facing the district, and how would you work to resolve them?
In this day and age we need to enhance security, so I support adding security measures to make sure the kids stay safe. Extra-curricular activities are an important part of an overall education, especially in small school, and I will work to keep those healthy. I support a strong arts and music program.
I think we can control expenditures and still provide a quality education. Local elected officials must reconcile many differing opinions and I pledge to consider all comments and perspectives.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I believe I am a good candidate for this position but respect the other candidates and do not feel comfortable suggesting I am the best. I have been elected board president by my colleagues for the last seven years. In 2009, I was honored at the state capitol as a Friend of Education, served as a board member of CESA 3 and am a long-term member of the state superintendent's Advisory Council on Rural Schools, Communities and Libraries.
Age: 62
City/town of residence: Town of Waldwick, Iowa County
Family: Wife Marilyn Rolfsmeyer, daughter, Ruth, 24); sons Joe, 22, and Ricky, 20, all graduates of Pecatonica.
Education: Edgewood High School, 1968; attended University of Wisconsin-Madison
Occupation: Executive director, Folklore Village, Dodgeville; self-employed consultant
Previous elected positions held: President, Pecatonica Area Schools Board of Education.
What are the top issues facing this district and how would you work to resolve them?
1) While I support a parent's right to choose the school that is best for their kids, I also realize that it is getting harder for small schools with a limited course selection to compete with larger schools that can offer a wider variety of curricula. At Pecatonica, we have continued to keep the class sizes small so teachers can spend as much time as possible with each student. We've been able to trim administrative costs and add more classes. In the future, I support exploring things like sharing teachers/classes with neighboring districts and adding more online courses. I do not believe a computer can replace a teacher, but technology can help bring more curricular offerings and unique ways for the kids to learn. Small schools bring many benefits; I'm glad my kids attended Pecatonica.
2) School funding is a big issue for any school board member, and state aid reductions were really hard on small districts. I agree with Sen. Schultz when he suggests Wisconsin can't afford two school systems, so believe that funding urban voucher programs off the top and giving what's left to public schools threatens our ability to give rural students the same quality learning experiences as found in big districts. I support the Fair Funding for Our Future plan and will continue to work with state policy makers to make school funding in Wisconsin fair for all, rural and urban.
What are other key issues facing the district, and how would you work to resolve them?
In this day and age we need to enhance security, so I support adding security measures to make sure the kids stay safe. Extra-curricular activities are an important part of an overall education, especially in small school, and I will work to keep those healthy. I support a strong arts and music program.
I think we can control expenditures and still provide a quality education. Local elected officials must reconcile many differing opinions and I pledge to consider all comments and perspectives.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I believe I am a good candidate for this position but respect the other candidates and do not feel comfortable suggesting I am the best. I have been elected board president by my colleagues for the last seven years. In 2009, I was honored at the state capitol as a Friend of Education, served as a board member of CESA 3 and am a long-term member of the state superintendent's Advisory Council on Rural Schools, Communities and Libraries.