BRODHEAD - The Brodhead School Board has four candidates running for three open seats in the April 5 election.
Incumbent James Wahl is being challenged by Howard Balch, Jr., Michael Oellerich and Dana Shanks - all newcomers. Each seat is for a three-year term.
Repeated attempts to reach candidate Howard Balch, Jr. for additional information were unsuccessful.
Michael Oellerich
Michael Oellerich and his wife moved to Brodhead in 2007. In those years, the couple have become very attached to the community, and the school district, Oellerich says.
Oellerich said he is hoping that his youth can be beneficial in his campaign.
"One thing I can bring to the school board ... is a different perspective," he said.
Despite the fact that he doesn't have children, Oellerich says he plans to become a parent and live in Brodhead.
"As a future parent, (education) is something I care about," Oellerich said.
A graduate of UW-Platteville, with criminal justice and political science degrees, he is a currently a law student at UW-Madison.
Dana Shanks
After 18 years living in Brodhead, Dana Shanks says he's hoping to address several issues facing the school board, if elected.
"I just had an interest in helping out," Shanks said. "I wanted to bring new ideas."
One such issue, Shanks said, is contracts.
"I don't feel that they should break these contracts," Shanks said. "When the contracts expire, then they can be renegotiated."
He also is hoping to keep as many teachers at the school as possible to ensure classes are smaller.
And with the governor's proposed cuts to education, he's hoping to maintain quality programs.
"I don't think schools are the places to (cut)," Shanks said.
Shanks works in the customer service department at Citizens Bank.
Prior to that, he worked in construction. His three children have either graduated from Brodhead schools, or are currently attending them.
James Wahl
James Wahl has lived in Brodhead for the past 18 years.
His wife and four children all have graduated from the district.
As an employee of Stoughton Trailers, Wahl works in the information technology department. He also volunteers with Brodhead Boy Scout Troop 108 and the American Legion.
The biggest problem facing the board, Wahl said, is finances and state budget cuts to education.
"Whether we have the money or not, we have to provide a quality education for the kids," Wahl said.
If he is re-elected, Wahl said, he's hoping to continue making the right choices for education and putting kids first - and he urged other candidates and board members to do the same.
Wahl served in the United States Marine Corps for 11 years prior to moving to Brodhead.
He is finishing his second term; his first term was for a year.
Incumbent James Wahl is being challenged by Howard Balch, Jr., Michael Oellerich and Dana Shanks - all newcomers. Each seat is for a three-year term.
Repeated attempts to reach candidate Howard Balch, Jr. for additional information were unsuccessful.
Michael Oellerich
Michael Oellerich and his wife moved to Brodhead in 2007. In those years, the couple have become very attached to the community, and the school district, Oellerich says.
Oellerich said he is hoping that his youth can be beneficial in his campaign.
"One thing I can bring to the school board ... is a different perspective," he said.
Despite the fact that he doesn't have children, Oellerich says he plans to become a parent and live in Brodhead.
"As a future parent, (education) is something I care about," Oellerich said.
A graduate of UW-Platteville, with criminal justice and political science degrees, he is a currently a law student at UW-Madison.
Dana Shanks
After 18 years living in Brodhead, Dana Shanks says he's hoping to address several issues facing the school board, if elected.
"I just had an interest in helping out," Shanks said. "I wanted to bring new ideas."
One such issue, Shanks said, is contracts.
"I don't feel that they should break these contracts," Shanks said. "When the contracts expire, then they can be renegotiated."
He also is hoping to keep as many teachers at the school as possible to ensure classes are smaller.
And with the governor's proposed cuts to education, he's hoping to maintain quality programs.
"I don't think schools are the places to (cut)," Shanks said.
Shanks works in the customer service department at Citizens Bank.
Prior to that, he worked in construction. His three children have either graduated from Brodhead schools, or are currently attending them.
James Wahl
James Wahl has lived in Brodhead for the past 18 years.
His wife and four children all have graduated from the district.
As an employee of Stoughton Trailers, Wahl works in the information technology department. He also volunteers with Brodhead Boy Scout Troop 108 and the American Legion.
The biggest problem facing the board, Wahl said, is finances and state budget cuts to education.
"Whether we have the money or not, we have to provide a quality education for the kids," Wahl said.
If he is re-elected, Wahl said, he's hoping to continue making the right choices for education and putting kids first - and he urged other candidates and board members to do the same.
Wahl served in the United States Marine Corps for 11 years prior to moving to Brodhead.
He is finishing his second term; his first term was for a year.