From Rich Deprez

Monroe

To the Editor:

My name is Rich Deprez, your current Monroe School Board President, and I am completing my second term. I’d like to thank the community for allowing me to serve as a member of the Board of Education for the last 6 years. I am excited to ask for your consideration and vote for Eric Eckdhal, Dylan McGuire, and myself on April 5th.

I’d like to share a little about myself to help inform your decision. I am a Monroe native and graduated from Monroe High School in 1996. My parents, Tom and Kay, settled in Monroe in the early 70s and they instilled the importance of volunteerism and community through my father’s work with the Knights of Columbus. After graduating from MHS I enlisted in the US Navy for 6 years serving aboard Ticonderoga class guided missile cruisers and completing my service honorably as a Petty Officer First Class. I earned my BS in Computer Applications and Networking from Coleman College in 2004 and a Master of Information Systems (MIS) from University of Phoenix in 2006. I returned to Monroe with my wife and 6 month old daughter in 2008 to raise our family in a safe and welcoming community. My wife, Chandra, and I have 3 children enrolled in the Monroe School District in 8th, 5th, and 1st grades.

When I was elected to the Monroe School Board in 2016 I was looking for a way to engage and give back to our community. Additionally, I thought it would be an opportunity to better understand the experience that my children would have in the Monroe school district. As I reflect on the last six years I’ve realized the profound impact this role has on every child in our community and am committed to the great responsibility that comes with it. I also serve on the Blackhawk Technical College board. As a member of the Monroe Morning Optimists I may have made you a few Cheese curds over the years. I am an FAA Certified Commercial pilot, a volunteer pilot with the Civil Air Patrol, and a Young Eagles pilot working to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation.

The last two years have been a time like no other in the history of education in Monroe, and the rest of the country. We have much to reflect on and be proud of, and some critical work ahead to support the future of our community. Looking forward, our Board will have to be prepared to engage in discussions about academic excellence, community partnerships, talent retention, equity and inclusion, and transforming our facilities for the 21st century. I feel that myself, Eric Eckdhal, and Dylan McGuire are in the best position to take on that challenge. I thank you for your time and attention and ask you to support us with your three votes April 5th to work for our whole community.