Position sought: Darlington Community School Board Member
Age: 56
City/town of residence: Darlington
Family: Two sons, Bo age 24 is a lineman for a municipal electric utility, Tyler age 21 is a self-employed farmer raising dairy goats and beef cattle. Both graduated from Darlington.
Education: Graduate of Darlington High School, attended UW-Platteville
Occupation: Work Force Management for Prudential Financial, I provide forecasting and capacity planning for a number of contact centers across multiple business units.
Previous elected positions held: Currently a member of the Darlington Community School Board, served as an alderperson on the Darlington City Council. While on the City Council I also served on the Darlington Community Fire Board
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
School Financing is and has been the top issue facing the Darlington Community School District for some time. Providing quality education for the students, making the necessary infrastructure improvements and technology investments while not placing any undue burdens on the tax payers. It is a constant balancing act.
While some of the issues around school financing are beyond our control (i.e. the various funding formulas from the state) I would work to resolve controllable issues by making certain our spending is thoughtful and appropriate.
Staying on budget for our infrastructure improvements and capital projects. Allocating spend on those items that address our greatest needs or provides the greatest benefit to our students vs. "nice to have" projects. There are opportunities to address our existing fund balance % and finding ways to have that money work harder for us. Alternate methods of generating new revenue streams for the district by soliciting private donations with items such as charitable trusts or creating endowments, similar to what colleges do.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Both Special Education and English Language Learner (ELL) continue to increase and may require additional investment in human resources and capital, along with organizational review. I would work with staff and administration to make certain we have enough resources to support our students with special needs and ELL students.
As a District we can be more transparent to the community. Explain and communicate the financial decisions that are made. Let the community know what the benefit of various projects or resource allocation are. Be certain to communicate action on matters from closed sessions when appropriate.
There are many great things going on in our district, from the achievements of our students and staff, to the improvements made in the technical education and Ag areas, to the infrastructure improvements. The administration and the School Board need to tell those stories in a more effective manner so that the community has a better understanding of what is happening on a daily basis in our schools.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I believe that I have a skill set that would benefit both the school board and the school district. I am pragmatic, analytical, and a good communicator. I have experience in financial analysis, budgeting, human resources, process improvement, and I am sound decision maker.
I am currently at a place personally and professionally where I can devote the necessary time and effort needed to be an effective school board member.
Age: 56
City/town of residence: Darlington
Family: Two sons, Bo age 24 is a lineman for a municipal electric utility, Tyler age 21 is a self-employed farmer raising dairy goats and beef cattle. Both graduated from Darlington.
Education: Graduate of Darlington High School, attended UW-Platteville
Occupation: Work Force Management for Prudential Financial, I provide forecasting and capacity planning for a number of contact centers across multiple business units.
Previous elected positions held: Currently a member of the Darlington Community School Board, served as an alderperson on the Darlington City Council. While on the City Council I also served on the Darlington Community Fire Board
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
School Financing is and has been the top issue facing the Darlington Community School District for some time. Providing quality education for the students, making the necessary infrastructure improvements and technology investments while not placing any undue burdens on the tax payers. It is a constant balancing act.
While some of the issues around school financing are beyond our control (i.e. the various funding formulas from the state) I would work to resolve controllable issues by making certain our spending is thoughtful and appropriate.
Staying on budget for our infrastructure improvements and capital projects. Allocating spend on those items that address our greatest needs or provides the greatest benefit to our students vs. "nice to have" projects. There are opportunities to address our existing fund balance % and finding ways to have that money work harder for us. Alternate methods of generating new revenue streams for the district by soliciting private donations with items such as charitable trusts or creating endowments, similar to what colleges do.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
Both Special Education and English Language Learner (ELL) continue to increase and may require additional investment in human resources and capital, along with organizational review. I would work with staff and administration to make certain we have enough resources to support our students with special needs and ELL students.
As a District we can be more transparent to the community. Explain and communicate the financial decisions that are made. Let the community know what the benefit of various projects or resource allocation are. Be certain to communicate action on matters from closed sessions when appropriate.
There are many great things going on in our district, from the achievements of our students and staff, to the improvements made in the technical education and Ag areas, to the infrastructure improvements. The administration and the School Board need to tell those stories in a more effective manner so that the community has a better understanding of what is happening on a daily basis in our schools.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
I believe that I have a skill set that would benefit both the school board and the school district. I am pragmatic, analytical, and a good communicator. I have experience in financial analysis, budgeting, human resources, process improvement, and I am sound decision maker.
I am currently at a place personally and professionally where I can devote the necessary time and effort needed to be an effective school board member.