MONROE - A mother of six who works in real estate is the newest member of the Monroe school board by the luck of the draw.
Amy Bazley, Monroe, was named to the school board Monday after two tie votes between her and Brad Timm, the only other candidate for the position. After asking each candidate 10 questions, the eight current board members voted in a written ballot.
The result was a 4-4 tie. Another vote was immediately taken with the same result. As per school board rules, the winner's name was drawn at random.
Bazley has six children, ranging from high school age to one entering 4K in the fall. Her family had moved around a lot before settling in Monroe five years ago, Bazley said. She now works at Towne Square Realty in Monroe.
She said she can bring a new perspective to the board, one of a parent who is involved in the daily activities of Monroe school students.
"I bring a different point of view," Bazley said. While Monroe offers good schools, "I want to make it a great school district."
One area she sees for improvement is the "way the school district presents itself to the public."
Bazley said it's important for "parents to feel like they do have a say and a voice" in shaping schools.
Timm agreed in his interview questions that the district's public relations is "not what it could be.
"I hear grumblings," he said.
A dairy farmer who is a lifelong resident of the district, Timm said Monroe has a great school system. He, as well as his two grown children, went through the district.
But, Timm stressed, it's imperative the district continues to seek innovative approaches to education.
The virtual school is one of the district's greatest strengths, he said. That and the charter school are "reaching kids who fall through the cracks."
Both Bazley and Timm agreed that funding school programs will be the biggest challenge facing the district in the next five years.
Bazley takes over the spot vacated by John Waelti, who resigned earlier this year. Her term will run from April 28 until April 27, 2009.
Heidi Zander of Monroe was elected to the school board in the April 1 election. She will take the seat held by John Mulhall, who did not seek re-election. Mulhall's last meeting will be April 28.
Amy Bazley, Monroe, was named to the school board Monday after two tie votes between her and Brad Timm, the only other candidate for the position. After asking each candidate 10 questions, the eight current board members voted in a written ballot.
The result was a 4-4 tie. Another vote was immediately taken with the same result. As per school board rules, the winner's name was drawn at random.
Bazley has six children, ranging from high school age to one entering 4K in the fall. Her family had moved around a lot before settling in Monroe five years ago, Bazley said. She now works at Towne Square Realty in Monroe.
She said she can bring a new perspective to the board, one of a parent who is involved in the daily activities of Monroe school students.
"I bring a different point of view," Bazley said. While Monroe offers good schools, "I want to make it a great school district."
One area she sees for improvement is the "way the school district presents itself to the public."
Bazley said it's important for "parents to feel like they do have a say and a voice" in shaping schools.
Timm agreed in his interview questions that the district's public relations is "not what it could be.
"I hear grumblings," he said.
A dairy farmer who is a lifelong resident of the district, Timm said Monroe has a great school system. He, as well as his two grown children, went through the district.
But, Timm stressed, it's imperative the district continues to seek innovative approaches to education.
The virtual school is one of the district's greatest strengths, he said. That and the charter school are "reaching kids who fall through the cracks."
Both Bazley and Timm agreed that funding school programs will be the biggest challenge facing the district in the next five years.
Bazley takes over the spot vacated by John Waelti, who resigned earlier this year. Her term will run from April 28 until April 27, 2009.
Heidi Zander of Monroe was elected to the school board in the April 1 election. She will take the seat held by John Mulhall, who did not seek re-election. Mulhall's last meeting will be April 28.