Local campaigns are becoming more costly
Here is some interesting information about campaign donations locally. What was most fascinating to me was the comment that one of Doug Mell's campaign contributors is Joe Wineke, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Last year, when I was a candidate, Mr. Mell made a big deal about connections to partisan politics in local races. His Letter to the Editor is italicized below.
Mr. Mell was very concerned that "party bosses should keep their mitts off local elections" but he must not mind that party bosses (the HEAD OF THE PARTY!) puts his mitt of money into Mell's campaign account! If anybody can explain this change of tune I would love to hear about it! Maria
By Doug Mell
Once again it appears machine politics have infiltrated local elections in Eau Claire. While it is good for democracy that there are seven candidates for Eau Claire school board (forcing a primary for the first time in more than a decade) one or more candidates will run with the backing of a major political party.
Terri Stanley, who left her city council seat because of health reasons, was the treasurer for a Democratic Party state senate candidate. The last newsletter from the local Democratic Party told the faithful to “be sure to vote for” Maria Henly and Bob Schwartz in the February primary. There is little question the Democrats will work hard to get their anointed candidates elected to what is supposed to be a non-partisan office.
The framers of our state constitution understood that partisan politics had no place in local elections. Candidates should have to run on the quality of their ideas, the breadth of their experience, and their ability to stay in office, not their willingness to carry water for party bosses. Local officials should have to answer to their constituents, not the unelected leaders of political parties.
The only agenda a candidate for school board should have is a willingness to work hard to solve the tremendous problems facing the Eau Claire School District. It will be important for the media in Eau Claire to fully investigate the involvement of political parties in the school board race and give voters that information. It will then be up to the votes to send a strong message that party bosses should keep their mitts off local elections.
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
Hoping to become Chippewa County's third circuit court judge, Julie Anderl and Steve Cray spent more than $15,200 in a six-week period, according to the latest campaign finance report filings.
Between Feb. 5 and March 17, the Chippewa Falls attorneys also raised close to $27,000 through individual contributions, with Cray raising $21,940 and Anderl raising $4,981.
Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, an independent Madison-based nonprofit group, has seen the cost of local elections creep up over the years.
"Clearly, local campaigns, I think, have been the last refuge of the true citizen politician," McCabe said. "But in local races in some of the bigger communities now, we're seeing an increase in advertising and more special interest involvement than before."
He also reported seeing more candidates self-financing their bids for election.
"As campaigning gets more expensive, it seems like candidates are put in the position of having to put their own money into their campaigns or turning to moneyed interests to run competitively."
In the Chippewa County Circuit Court race, the candidates were their campaigns' largest contributors, with Cray putting in $18,500 and Anderl $1,700 during the latest reporting period.
"It's difficult to raise money to run for office," said Anderl, making her second circuit court bid, "but my friends and family have been the linchpin in this whole thing. I'm blessed this way."
Tuesday's election will be the second time she and Cray square off for the bench. The pair were the top two vote-getters in the Feb. 19 primary, with Anderl receiving 6,537 votes; Cray, 4,206; and Bob Ferg, 2,916.
Going into both elections, "I knew I could not compete with (Cray) with respect to money," Anderl said. "But I've done tons of doors, gone to town board meetings. That's how I've made up for my lack of wealth."
Cray couldn't be reached for comment. However, after the primary, he said he intended "to make voters aware of me, my background and my experience."
Meanwhile, making their first election bids, Doug Mell and Adam Shiel are vying for two seats on the Eau Claire school board against incumbent Carol Craig and Robert G. Janke, a former school board member.
During the latest campaign finance reporting period, Mell raised $570 from individual contributors and Shiel raised $2,106, including $1,886 from himself.
"If I decide to do something, I try to do my best to make it on my own," said Shiel, an electrical engineer, who expected to contribute to his own campaign and used contributions to purchase yard signs, newspaper ads and fliers.
Mell, UW-Stout's director of communications, believes it's important for candidates to raise some funds.
"The important thing, I think, about raising money is that it shows that you're willing to go out and talk to people," he said. "And I think the degree that candidates are successful raising money shows a broad base of support."
For example, his contributors, he said, include Mark Faanes, former Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce board chairman; and Joe Wineke, Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman.
Craig and Janke claimed exemptions. Candidates can claim exemptions if they agree not to accept any contribution in excess of $100 from a single source other than themselves, or their contributions or expenses would not exceed $1,000 in a calendar year.
In the Eau Claire City Council race, two of six candidates - Scott Gunem and Jackie Pavelski - claimed exemptions. The remaining four - Larry Balow, Brandon Buchanan, Kerry Kincaid and Thomas Vue - raised more than $9,500 among them during the reporting period, with Kincaid contributing all of the $617 she raised.
Kincaid, Buchanan and Balow also spent close to $3,800 during that same period, according to their campaign finance reports. Vue hadn't yet filed his expenditures for the reporting period as of Friday afternoon.
Vue, who raised the most of the four council candidates - $3,550 - has drawn much of his support from the Hmong in the Chippewa Valley. Vue, the fourth Hmong elected to the Eau Claire City Council, also has received contributions from other Hmong in Minnesota.
"To raise ... this much money is very difficult to me, but I do have some friends to help," he said via e-mail.
Eau Claire School Board
Doug Mell
$100: John Evans, 625 Shoreline Drive; Mark Faanes, 3527 Leslie Lane.
Adam Shiel
$100: Maria Henly, 121 Park Place; Bob Schwartz, 401 Lincoln Ave.
$1,886: Adam Shiel, 525 Lincoln Ave.
Carol Craig and Robert G. Janke also are vying for seats on the school board. Both candidates claimed an exemption.
Showing posts with label 2008 Spring Elections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 Spring Elections. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Carol Craig and Adam Shiel Win School Board Election
From the LT on the morning after the election.
This is great news for the ECASD! The overwhelming support for Dr. Carol Craig and her integrity, ideas and intelligence is a clear indicator of public trust. I think that this has got to be the biggest margin of support in a school board election in 20 years. Also Adam Shiel's win gives us another thoughtful and reflective voice in the coming years.
Pres. O'Brien's grumpy and illogical comments in the article are indicative of his inability to even understand what the job of School Board member is all about. Mr O'Brien's comments about the job of a school board member is to: "understand that voters have entrusted them with the responsibility to become knowledgeable on issues and make decisions." And also O'Brien is hoping the board "understands its job is to develop and implement policy and oversee administration, not micromanage the day-to-day operations of the district." These comments do not even make sense in that many BOE members are simply NOT knowledgeable about many things (Mary Kneer, after serving on the Board for 8 years, asked at the last meeting for an explanation about Title ll funding. Few BOE members, including Mr. O'Brien understand the concept of Conflict of Interest or The Open Records/Meeting laws, etc...)
And how about the concept that elected officials are supposed to perform the functions of LEADERSHIP like Strategic Planning, Community Engagement, etc...
Anyway....one more step to turning this Titanic away from the iceberg! Maria
Shiel joins Craig on Eau Claire school board
Newcomer finishes second ahead of Janke, Mell
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Longtime Eau Claire school board member Carol Craig won a sixth term Tuesday.
With all wards reporting in Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire counties, Craig led her three opponents with 5,460 votes, according to unofficial returns.
Adam Shiel, an electrical engineer making his first bid for public office, had 3,409 votes, winning him the second of two board seats up for grabs. Robert G. Janke, a retired UW-Eau Claire geography professor and former school board member, had 3,184 votes; and Doug Mell, UW-Stout director of communications, had 3,042.
"I'm thrilled to have been elected to the school board," said Shiel, who has two children attending the Montessori Charter School. "I look forward to serving the students and the community and working for a well-run school (district).
Craig, who along with Shiel garnered the support from members of the local teachers union, couldn't be reached for comment.
"There's a real strong feeling among most members that Carol Craig probably has been as dedicated and thoughtful a board member as we've known," said Jo Burke, president of the Eau Claire Association of Educators. "Adam Shiel also showed he was a thoughtful ... decision maker."
Incumbent Mike O'Brien, serving his third term on the board, didn't seek re-election. However, he said he hoped board members elected Tuesday "understand that voters have entrusted them with the responsibility to become knowledgeable on issues and make decisions.
"The next board is facing a number of issues, with the budget and budget cuts being the primary ones coming up."
The projected deficit for the 2008-09 school year is $2.98 million, but that figure is subject to change because of employee contract negotiations.
The teachers' latest contract expired June 30, and negotiations have been ongoing for almost a year. Burke said Tuesday she hopes any new board member realizes teachers are "doing their best to deliver the best education possible."
"This district is at a turning point," Burke said. "If we can have some board members who will look at the broad and total picture, I think we'll be in better hands.
"It is an exciting time, and I think there is a potential of us moving forward with the right kind of leadership."
O'Brien is hoping the board understands its job is to develop and implement policy and oversee administration, not micromanage the day-to-day operations of the district.
This is great news for the ECASD! The overwhelming support for Dr. Carol Craig and her integrity, ideas and intelligence is a clear indicator of public trust. I think that this has got to be the biggest margin of support in a school board election in 20 years. Also Adam Shiel's win gives us another thoughtful and reflective voice in the coming years.
Pres. O'Brien's grumpy and illogical comments in the article are indicative of his inability to even understand what the job of School Board member is all about. Mr O'Brien's comments about the job of a school board member is to: "understand that voters have entrusted them with the responsibility to become knowledgeable on issues and make decisions." And also O'Brien is hoping the board "understands its job is to develop and implement policy and oversee administration, not micromanage the day-to-day operations of the district." These comments do not even make sense in that many BOE members are simply NOT knowledgeable about many things (Mary Kneer, after serving on the Board for 8 years, asked at the last meeting for an explanation about Title ll funding. Few BOE members, including Mr. O'Brien understand the concept of Conflict of Interest or The Open Records/Meeting laws, etc...)
And how about the concept that elected officials are supposed to perform the functions of LEADERSHIP like Strategic Planning, Community Engagement, etc...
Anyway....one more step to turning this Titanic away from the iceberg! Maria
Shiel joins Craig on Eau Claire school board
Newcomer finishes second ahead of Janke, Mell
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Longtime Eau Claire school board member Carol Craig won a sixth term Tuesday.
With all wards reporting in Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire counties, Craig led her three opponents with 5,460 votes, according to unofficial returns.
Adam Shiel, an electrical engineer making his first bid for public office, had 3,409 votes, winning him the second of two board seats up for grabs. Robert G. Janke, a retired UW-Eau Claire geography professor and former school board member, had 3,184 votes; and Doug Mell, UW-Stout director of communications, had 3,042.
"I'm thrilled to have been elected to the school board," said Shiel, who has two children attending the Montessori Charter School. "I look forward to serving the students and the community and working for a well-run school (district).
Craig, who along with Shiel garnered the support from members of the local teachers union, couldn't be reached for comment.
"There's a real strong feeling among most members that Carol Craig probably has been as dedicated and thoughtful a board member as we've known," said Jo Burke, president of the Eau Claire Association of Educators. "Adam Shiel also showed he was a thoughtful ... decision maker."
Incumbent Mike O'Brien, serving his third term on the board, didn't seek re-election. However, he said he hoped board members elected Tuesday "understand that voters have entrusted them with the responsibility to become knowledgeable on issues and make decisions.
"The next board is facing a number of issues, with the budget and budget cuts being the primary ones coming up."
The projected deficit for the 2008-09 school year is $2.98 million, but that figure is subject to change because of employee contract negotiations.
The teachers' latest contract expired June 30, and negotiations have been ongoing for almost a year. Burke said Tuesday she hopes any new board member realizes teachers are "doing their best to deliver the best education possible."
"This district is at a turning point," Burke said. "If we can have some board members who will look at the broad and total picture, I think we'll be in better hands.
"It is an exciting time, and I think there is a potential of us moving forward with the right kind of leadership."
O'Brien is hoping the board understands its job is to develop and implement policy and oversee administration, not micromanage the day-to-day operations of the district.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Strategic Planning, Strategic Planning, Strategic Planning!!!
Candidates want long-term plan
Three school board hopefuls looking for outline, then referendum
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Three of four school board candidates believe a long-range plan needs to be in place before the Eau Claire school district puts another referendum before voters.
"Strategic planning has to become part of the district's DNA," said Doug Mell, UW-Stout's director of communications. "This is an absolute necessity and should be the No. 1 goal of the new board and new superintendent. (And) this process needs to be totally inclusive and transparent."
Mell, along with incumbent Carol Craig, Robert G. Janke and Adam Shiel, are vying for two seats on the school board in Tuesday's election. Incumbent Mike O'Brien, board president, isn't seeking re-election.
Last spring, voters in the Eau Claire school district rejected a three-year, $21.6 million referendum, forcing the school board to cut $7.5 million from the 2007-08 budget.
The projected deficit for the 2008-09 school year totals $2.98 million, but that figure is subject to change - and possibly increase - because of contract negotiations.
To plug the hole, the school board approved closing Little Red School at the end of this school year. District administrators also have proposed a shift in funding seventh- and eighth-grade athletics and recommended budget cuts, including teaching positions.
"I have a hard time imagining the school district not going to referendum at some point, but I don't know when that might be," said Adam Shiel, an electrical engineer at Silicon Logic Engineering.
"I do think it's absolutely imperative that before we go to referendum that we have a reasonable, long-range plan in place, so we can clearly explain to the taxpayers how we are spending our money and what we'll be giving up if a referendum doesn't pass."
Shiel, like Mell, is making his first bid for public office. Both men have children in school. Shiel, a 34-year-old native of Kansas, has lived in Eau Claire for eight years. He and his wife, Sarah, have two children who attend the Montessori Charter School. The 53-year-old Mell, a former Leader-Telegram editor, and his wife, Sue Kittelson, have lived in the school district for more than 20 years. Their eldest son, David, graduated from North High School, where their youngest son, Daniel, is a junior.
"It will take two years to pass a new referendum," Mell said. "The first year needs to be spent developing a comprehensive strategic planning process that is part of a total quality improvement process."
"The next six months should be devoted to developing the parameters of the referendum, using the comprehensive strategic plan as a road map. The same groups that were involved in the planning process should be involved in developing the outline of the referendum. The final six months should be spent advocating for the referendum."
Craig, who is seeking her sixth term on the board, has gone on record saying that the next referendum must have community involvement before the school board can prioritize.
"We need to inform the public of consequences due to staff cuts and delayed maintenance - in logical, organized forums whereby people can participate in respectful dialogue," said Craig, who recently retired from the Chippewa Valley Technical College Center for Behavioral Science and Civic Effectiveness and became executive director of OMNI Associates, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and programs for enriching personal and professional development.
"This community has consistently supported public education, including maintenance, adequate staffing levels and new facilities when they have been given the opportunity to help create the long-range plan," the 57-year-old Craig said. "So my priority is working toward the completion of my motion, (which passed unanimously Feb. 19), which requires the district to complete a comprehensive plan before a new referendum goes forward or before any more programs and services are cut."
Janke, a retired UW-Eau Claire geography professor, spent nine years on the school board. He attended Eau Claire schools in his youth, as did his two daughters, who went on to pursue careers in education.
"I think it's obvious (that we need to hold a referendum)," he said. "The normal budget tries to fund both building maintenance and staffing issues, and we know in the past few years there is just not enough ... "
"I honestly think we should appeal to the concept of the social contract to get people to accept their responsibilities as citizens of this community not only to their children, but to all children."
Three school board hopefuls looking for outline, then referendum
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff O'Brien can be reached at 830-5838, 800-236-7077 or christena.obrien@ecpc.com.
Three of four school board candidates believe a long-range plan needs to be in place before the Eau Claire school district puts another referendum before voters.
"Strategic planning has to become part of the district's DNA," said Doug Mell, UW-Stout's director of communications. "This is an absolute necessity and should be the No. 1 goal of the new board and new superintendent. (And) this process needs to be totally inclusive and transparent."
Mell, along with incumbent Carol Craig, Robert G. Janke and Adam Shiel, are vying for two seats on the school board in Tuesday's election. Incumbent Mike O'Brien, board president, isn't seeking re-election.
Last spring, voters in the Eau Claire school district rejected a three-year, $21.6 million referendum, forcing the school board to cut $7.5 million from the 2007-08 budget.
The projected deficit for the 2008-09 school year totals $2.98 million, but that figure is subject to change - and possibly increase - because of contract negotiations.
To plug the hole, the school board approved closing Little Red School at the end of this school year. District administrators also have proposed a shift in funding seventh- and eighth-grade athletics and recommended budget cuts, including teaching positions.
"I have a hard time imagining the school district not going to referendum at some point, but I don't know when that might be," said Adam Shiel, an electrical engineer at Silicon Logic Engineering.
"I do think it's absolutely imperative that before we go to referendum that we have a reasonable, long-range plan in place, so we can clearly explain to the taxpayers how we are spending our money and what we'll be giving up if a referendum doesn't pass."
Shiel, like Mell, is making his first bid for public office. Both men have children in school. Shiel, a 34-year-old native of Kansas, has lived in Eau Claire for eight years. He and his wife, Sarah, have two children who attend the Montessori Charter School. The 53-year-old Mell, a former Leader-Telegram editor, and his wife, Sue Kittelson, have lived in the school district for more than 20 years. Their eldest son, David, graduated from North High School, where their youngest son, Daniel, is a junior.
"It will take two years to pass a new referendum," Mell said. "The first year needs to be spent developing a comprehensive strategic planning process that is part of a total quality improvement process."
"The next six months should be devoted to developing the parameters of the referendum, using the comprehensive strategic plan as a road map. The same groups that were involved in the planning process should be involved in developing the outline of the referendum. The final six months should be spent advocating for the referendum."
Craig, who is seeking her sixth term on the board, has gone on record saying that the next referendum must have community involvement before the school board can prioritize.
"We need to inform the public of consequences due to staff cuts and delayed maintenance - in logical, organized forums whereby people can participate in respectful dialogue," said Craig, who recently retired from the Chippewa Valley Technical College Center for Behavioral Science and Civic Effectiveness and became executive director of OMNI Associates, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and programs for enriching personal and professional development.
"This community has consistently supported public education, including maintenance, adequate staffing levels and new facilities when they have been given the opportunity to help create the long-range plan," the 57-year-old Craig said. "So my priority is working toward the completion of my motion, (which passed unanimously Feb. 19), which requires the district to complete a comprehensive plan before a new referendum goes forward or before any more programs and services are cut."
Janke, a retired UW-Eau Claire geography professor, spent nine years on the school board. He attended Eau Claire schools in his youth, as did his two daughters, who went on to pursue careers in education.
"I think it's obvious (that we need to hold a referendum)," he said. "The normal budget tries to fund both building maintenance and staffing issues, and we know in the past few years there is just not enough ... "
"I honestly think we should appeal to the concept of the social contract to get people to accept their responsibilities as citizens of this community not only to their children, but to all children."
Monday, March 24, 2008
Adam Shiel and Carol Craig for School Board Elections
Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.
George Jean Nathan, American Journalist and Essayist
School Board Elections are on Tuesday, April 1st. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for every single one of you to get out and vote and to also bring your neighbors and spouses and significant others to the polling place. I am asking that everyone, not only gets themselves out to vote but please spend 10 minutes on behalf of our district and make 5 phone calls to your acquaintances and ask them to vote as well. As you can see from the title of this post, I am supporting candidates Adam Shiel and Carol Craig. I, of course, would encourage you to support Shiel and Craig as well and am attaching some information from and about them below.
My thoughts: Shiel has been in attendance at almost all the BOE meetings of the last year and a half and has made a significant investment in time to get "up to speed" on all of the current issues of our district. My discussions with him confirm that he recognizes the futility of fixing just "pieces" of the budget without considering the "whole" district. His work on the Charter School Committee gave him a full dose of the amount of time and effort it takes to start steering this ship in the right direction. His skills as a thinker, perspective for the broad view and greater good for all our students will serve the board well.
Carol Craig has the most incredible resume of education, accomplishments and public service of anybody who has served on the ECASD BOE in the last 15 years. Her work ethic (beyond regular board meetings) on behalf of our district is unbeatable via the Charter School Committee (with Adam Shiel) and chairing the Little Red Study Committee as well, both of those just in the last year. She has been an unwavering voice for community engagement and planning. If any one person could singlehandedly drag this district from the pit to the top of the heap, it would be Carol Craig.
ADAM SHIEL
My name is Adam Shiel. I'm running for school board because I think public schools are a vital
part of our community. Our district faces many challenges in the next years. I want to do my part to make sure our schools continue our excellent educational tradition.
I'm originally from Kansas City and came to Eau Claire via Cleveland and North Carolina. My wife and I have lived in the neighborhood (Third Ward) for eight years and we have two children in the district. Daniel
is in kindergarten and Amelia is in the 4K program. I'm an electrical engineer in the microelectronics
industry. I currently work downtown at Silicon Logic Engineering and have also worked at Cray.
My job as an engineer uses many of the skills the district needs to face its challenges. Every day I work with customers, vendors, and coworkers to solve complex problems. I have to set aside my own preconceived ideas, look honestly at the data, and decide what's best for the project - just like what would be required as a school board member.
I would bring broad perspective to the board. With two children in the district, I know first hand a parent's concern for their children's education. As an engineer, I know the value of a good education in the 21st century job market. I'm a tax payer and want to make sure our taxes are spent well.
I received a good introduction to the complexities of running a school system while serving on the district's charter school committee last year. I'd like to put that knowledge to use, along with my problem solving skills to help our district through the challenging years ahead of us. I ask for your ideas, your involvement, and your vote on April 1.
My highest prioirty if elected would be to plan for the limitations
imposed by revenue limits. I think we should review administrative
positions at the main office and at the schools to make sure we're
being as efficient as possible, and then to be able to explain that to
the community.
Demographics are the main driver of our district. We need to look
at how the student body is likely to change over then next 10 years,
in terms of of location and socioeconomic status. That will give us
the scope of the educational issues we have to deal with. It will
also give us information on where we will have facility capacity
issues.
Independent of demographics I think we should compare our
educational methods to current best practices to see if there are
things we can do better.
We need to involve the community in all of this to take advantage
of their ideas and to help diffuse knowledge of the school system
out in to the general community.
We should work to revitalize our foundation for two reasons. First,
it can provide an alternative source of revenue for the district. Second,
it's another way for getting the community involved with the schools.
CAROL CRAIG
At my core I believe that public education is the single most important factor in securing economic, social and personal security within our community, state, nation and our world? That answer is not meant to be esoteric – rather, it is meant to acknowledge that I believe decisions made at a board of education level change the future. Every community must have board members who first believe in public education, then who are committed to the hard work of educating oneself to the complex dimensions of decision-making at the Board level, and finally board members who are willing to intellectually defend positions in a respectful and convincing manner. I strive to be this type of board member and vested stakeholders have witnessed this type representation from me.
The tradition of excellence in Eau Claire can be maintained by getting back to our “roots” - so to speak. By that I mean, the Eau Claire community has historically believed in and supported quality educational programs and we need to re-kindle that positive relationship with our community. We need to have community dialogues to engage the 75% of the citizens in Eau Claire that do not presently have kids in school so they can become public school advocates again. We need to look at the “bigger picture” of what’s happening in education (changing student demographics, dwindling number of professional educators, USA losing ground in world academic standings, private versus public sector priorities for governmental dollars, etc.) -- and trust that when our community is able to have this respectful dialogues about the importance of quality education for all students, we will continue to find a way to maintain excellence in the ECASD.
My vision for the ECASD is that it will be one of the few schools in the nation where students are able to understand and maximize their individual learning potential and apply these skills/potentials to their journey of life- long learning in all areas of human development: career, civic, social, personal.
I see a vision being implemented by collaboratively creating such a vision statement that all stakeholders of the community can understand and embrace. Secondly, there needs to be systematic measures in place to provide community-wide support – support in terms of time and resources, to ensure the viability to this long range vision. Lastly, I see semi-annual community dialogues or round table discussions to review and create strategies (present and future) needed to realize this vision. I see this as a fluid, dynamic process – not a pencil-paper formality that ends in a three ring binder.
When a district develops such a vision (obviously this is really a “community’s vision” of what it expects from the district) it is then is obligated to make sure all decisions are aligned with their vision: budget, facilities, curriculum (including technology), staffing, and class size. I don’t want minimize the importance of such our current state budget constraints – but I truly believe that the synergy from a community-wide effort will be a reliable and creative source of revenue/resources once the community is behind the vision.
I see myself as one of seven voices gathered around the table to ensure that every decision that is made for the district represents the best interest of public education in the Eau Claire community. Obviously there are many differing perspectives as to what is the “best interest’ in public education. Therefore, I see myself as being responsible for staying abreast of complex information from many sources. I also have a responsibility to interact and respect all stakeholders’ views and to allow those views to be shared with the public. Ultimately my role is to make decisions that uphold the District’s vision (thus importance of having a meaning and sustainable vision) and the district’s policies. Lastly, because I am one of seven members I see my role as being respectful of the diverse opinions of other board members while trying to work toward an understanding that has unified support.
I was on the Board from 1982-1994 (yes I’m that old for some of you younger professionals!!) and when I decided to run in 2005 (my fifth term) I was really taken aback by the apparent lack of public trust – which in my mind, seemed directly related to lack of public involvement. For the last three years I have initiated activities and policies at the Board level with the goal of re-engaging the public. This public re-engagement should not be just at the public meetings (although I believe public involvement when making policy decisions is critical) but also the public should be involved in all aspects of public education. I have already proposed (and it was passed) that the public be guaranteed input at all Board meetings. I have proposed that the public be involved with various committees in the district. I made a motion, and it passed, that that a community-wide comprehensive plan be completed in order to understand the community's perceptions of district needs and to integrate those perceptions into a viable referendum Plan. At just about every Board meeting I have asked…”did the public have an opportunity for input, and if not, why – and what can we do in the future to ensure this??” Again, I truly believe this community supports quality education but they need to be involved and informed of the myriad of differences in quality public education since they last were involved.
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT PROVE HER LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND CORE VALUES
1. Discontinued the “student fee” that was levied on all students as a condition to attend the ECASD public schools; I advocated that this fee was not consistent with state law which specified districts may not levy fees (for basic education experiences) on families who are impoverished. This practiced was discontinued after I initiated the discussion on this.
2. Argued against the original proposed referendum for facilities and technology and insisted that we discuss the operational budget deficit as the most important budget topic; I strongly advocated that any referendum should be based on long range plan – anchored in community involvement a (I proposed a short term, minimal referendum of 2 years at 5 million to allow for this community plan to be completed). The original referendum plan was changed to include operation issues BUT the majority of the BOE voted for a three year referendum option with facilities and technology costs included at $21 million.
3. 3. I authored a motion to require the BOE to complete a comprehensive community plan (see BOE motion of 2/19/07) which would be the basis of any future operational, facilities or capital budget changes/referenda. This was approved unanimously to be completed by September, 2007. To date, the District has not completed it despite my promptings and request to have this process be a priority for the District.
4. I authored a policy change that would allow the public to have input into any “Item for Discussion” that the BOE considered during its committee meeting; this was approved unanimously and it now ensures that the community has a guaranteed process for BOE involvement.
5. I supported and actively participated in getting the public more involved in our Montessori Charter School. I proposed policy changes that allowed all students equal access to the Montessori program (by providing transportation to this school as we did all other schools) and I also proposed policy changes that mandated that District resources be equitably distributed to all programs – including Montessori.
6. I chaired the Little Red study committee – a committee that was community-based, that was charged with the very emotional issues of closing a school. This committee reached well beyond the frame work of Little Red and put forth significant district-wide recommendations. These recommendations reflected equity issues, the need for long term demographic/facilities planning, and most importantly, the need for the District to engage the community in what it (the community) perceives as critical educational priorities into the next decade.
7. I have attended 99% of every regular and special meeting; my only absences were due to the illness and ultimate death of a family member.
8. Lastly – I care deeply that every student in this district is given the optimal experience to fulfill his or her potential; we cannot and should not allow any student to walk out the doors of ECASD without a set of skills (occupational, social, personal) that has a high probability of allowing each student to develop into a self-sufficient, productive adult.
George Jean Nathan, American Journalist and Essayist
School Board Elections are on Tuesday, April 1st. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT for every single one of you to get out and vote and to also bring your neighbors and spouses and significant others to the polling place. I am asking that everyone, not only gets themselves out to vote but please spend 10 minutes on behalf of our district and make 5 phone calls to your acquaintances and ask them to vote as well. As you can see from the title of this post, I am supporting candidates Adam Shiel and Carol Craig. I, of course, would encourage you to support Shiel and Craig as well and am attaching some information from and about them below.
My thoughts: Shiel has been in attendance at almost all the BOE meetings of the last year and a half and has made a significant investment in time to get "up to speed" on all of the current issues of our district. My discussions with him confirm that he recognizes the futility of fixing just "pieces" of the budget without considering the "whole" district. His work on the Charter School Committee gave him a full dose of the amount of time and effort it takes to start steering this ship in the right direction. His skills as a thinker, perspective for the broad view and greater good for all our students will serve the board well.
Carol Craig has the most incredible resume of education, accomplishments and public service of anybody who has served on the ECASD BOE in the last 15 years. Her work ethic (beyond regular board meetings) on behalf of our district is unbeatable via the Charter School Committee (with Adam Shiel) and chairing the Little Red Study Committee as well, both of those just in the last year. She has been an unwavering voice for community engagement and planning. If any one person could singlehandedly drag this district from the pit to the top of the heap, it would be Carol Craig.
ADAM SHIEL
My name is Adam Shiel. I'm running for school board because I think public schools are a vital
part of our community. Our district faces many challenges in the next years. I want to do my part to make sure our schools continue our excellent educational tradition.
I'm originally from Kansas City and came to Eau Claire via Cleveland and North Carolina. My wife and I have lived in the neighborhood (Third Ward) for eight years and we have two children in the district. Daniel
is in kindergarten and Amelia is in the 4K program. I'm an electrical engineer in the microelectronics
industry. I currently work downtown at Silicon Logic Engineering and have also worked at Cray.
My job as an engineer uses many of the skills the district needs to face its challenges. Every day I work with customers, vendors, and coworkers to solve complex problems. I have to set aside my own preconceived ideas, look honestly at the data, and decide what's best for the project - just like what would be required as a school board member.
I would bring broad perspective to the board. With two children in the district, I know first hand a parent's concern for their children's education. As an engineer, I know the value of a good education in the 21st century job market. I'm a tax payer and want to make sure our taxes are spent well.
I received a good introduction to the complexities of running a school system while serving on the district's charter school committee last year. I'd like to put that knowledge to use, along with my problem solving skills to help our district through the challenging years ahead of us. I ask for your ideas, your involvement, and your vote on April 1.
My highest prioirty if elected would be to plan for the limitations
imposed by revenue limits. I think we should review administrative
positions at the main office and at the schools to make sure we're
being as efficient as possible, and then to be able to explain that to
the community.
Demographics are the main driver of our district. We need to look
at how the student body is likely to change over then next 10 years,
in terms of of location and socioeconomic status. That will give us
the scope of the educational issues we have to deal with. It will
also give us information on where we will have facility capacity
issues.
Independent of demographics I think we should compare our
educational methods to current best practices to see if there are
things we can do better.
We need to involve the community in all of this to take advantage
of their ideas and to help diffuse knowledge of the school system
out in to the general community.
We should work to revitalize our foundation for two reasons. First,
it can provide an alternative source of revenue for the district. Second,
it's another way for getting the community involved with the schools.
CAROL CRAIG
At my core I believe that public education is the single most important factor in securing economic, social and personal security within our community, state, nation and our world? That answer is not meant to be esoteric – rather, it is meant to acknowledge that I believe decisions made at a board of education level change the future. Every community must have board members who first believe in public education, then who are committed to the hard work of educating oneself to the complex dimensions of decision-making at the Board level, and finally board members who are willing to intellectually defend positions in a respectful and convincing manner. I strive to be this type of board member and vested stakeholders have witnessed this type representation from me.
The tradition of excellence in Eau Claire can be maintained by getting back to our “roots” - so to speak. By that I mean, the Eau Claire community has historically believed in and supported quality educational programs and we need to re-kindle that positive relationship with our community. We need to have community dialogues to engage the 75% of the citizens in Eau Claire that do not presently have kids in school so they can become public school advocates again. We need to look at the “bigger picture” of what’s happening in education (changing student demographics, dwindling number of professional educators, USA losing ground in world academic standings, private versus public sector priorities for governmental dollars, etc.) -- and trust that when our community is able to have this respectful dialogues about the importance of quality education for all students, we will continue to find a way to maintain excellence in the ECASD.
My vision for the ECASD is that it will be one of the few schools in the nation where students are able to understand and maximize their individual learning potential and apply these skills/potentials to their journey of life- long learning in all areas of human development: career, civic, social, personal.
I see a vision being implemented by collaboratively creating such a vision statement that all stakeholders of the community can understand and embrace. Secondly, there needs to be systematic measures in place to provide community-wide support – support in terms of time and resources, to ensure the viability to this long range vision. Lastly, I see semi-annual community dialogues or round table discussions to review and create strategies (present and future) needed to realize this vision. I see this as a fluid, dynamic process – not a pencil-paper formality that ends in a three ring binder.
When a district develops such a vision (obviously this is really a “community’s vision” of what it expects from the district) it is then is obligated to make sure all decisions are aligned with their vision: budget, facilities, curriculum (including technology), staffing, and class size. I don’t want minimize the importance of such our current state budget constraints – but I truly believe that the synergy from a community-wide effort will be a reliable and creative source of revenue/resources once the community is behind the vision.
I see myself as one of seven voices gathered around the table to ensure that every decision that is made for the district represents the best interest of public education in the Eau Claire community. Obviously there are many differing perspectives as to what is the “best interest’ in public education. Therefore, I see myself as being responsible for staying abreast of complex information from many sources. I also have a responsibility to interact and respect all stakeholders’ views and to allow those views to be shared with the public. Ultimately my role is to make decisions that uphold the District’s vision (thus importance of having a meaning and sustainable vision) and the district’s policies. Lastly, because I am one of seven members I see my role as being respectful of the diverse opinions of other board members while trying to work toward an understanding that has unified support.
I was on the Board from 1982-1994 (yes I’m that old for some of you younger professionals!!) and when I decided to run in 2005 (my fifth term) I was really taken aback by the apparent lack of public trust – which in my mind, seemed directly related to lack of public involvement. For the last three years I have initiated activities and policies at the Board level with the goal of re-engaging the public. This public re-engagement should not be just at the public meetings (although I believe public involvement when making policy decisions is critical) but also the public should be involved in all aspects of public education. I have already proposed (and it was passed) that the public be guaranteed input at all Board meetings. I have proposed that the public be involved with various committees in the district. I made a motion, and it passed, that that a community-wide comprehensive plan be completed in order to understand the community's perceptions of district needs and to integrate those perceptions into a viable referendum Plan. At just about every Board meeting I have asked…”did the public have an opportunity for input, and if not, why – and what can we do in the future to ensure this??” Again, I truly believe this community supports quality education but they need to be involved and informed of the myriad of differences in quality public education since they last were involved.
SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT PROVE HER LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND CORE VALUES
1. Discontinued the “student fee” that was levied on all students as a condition to attend the ECASD public schools; I advocated that this fee was not consistent with state law which specified districts may not levy fees (for basic education experiences) on families who are impoverished. This practiced was discontinued after I initiated the discussion on this.
2. Argued against the original proposed referendum for facilities and technology and insisted that we discuss the operational budget deficit as the most important budget topic; I strongly advocated that any referendum should be based on long range plan – anchored in community involvement a (I proposed a short term, minimal referendum of 2 years at 5 million to allow for this community plan to be completed). The original referendum plan was changed to include operation issues BUT the majority of the BOE voted for a three year referendum option with facilities and technology costs included at $21 million.
3. 3. I authored a motion to require the BOE to complete a comprehensive community plan (see BOE motion of 2/19/07) which would be the basis of any future operational, facilities or capital budget changes/referenda. This was approved unanimously to be completed by September, 2007. To date, the District has not completed it despite my promptings and request to have this process be a priority for the District.
4. I authored a policy change that would allow the public to have input into any “Item for Discussion” that the BOE considered during its committee meeting; this was approved unanimously and it now ensures that the community has a guaranteed process for BOE involvement.
5. I supported and actively participated in getting the public more involved in our Montessori Charter School. I proposed policy changes that allowed all students equal access to the Montessori program (by providing transportation to this school as we did all other schools) and I also proposed policy changes that mandated that District resources be equitably distributed to all programs – including Montessori.
6. I chaired the Little Red study committee – a committee that was community-based, that was charged with the very emotional issues of closing a school. This committee reached well beyond the frame work of Little Red and put forth significant district-wide recommendations. These recommendations reflected equity issues, the need for long term demographic/facilities planning, and most importantly, the need for the District to engage the community in what it (the community) perceives as critical educational priorities into the next decade.
7. I have attended 99% of every regular and special meeting; my only absences were due to the illness and ultimate death of a family member.
8. Lastly – I care deeply that every student in this district is given the optimal experience to fulfill his or her potential; we cannot and should not allow any student to walk out the doors of ECASD without a set of skills (occupational, social, personal) that has a high probability of allowing each student to develop into a self-sufficient, productive adult.
Friday, March 7, 2008
CTV Rebroadcast Schedule of Candidates
Folks,
I hope that you take the time in the comfort of your own homes to record and watch the following rebroadcasts. Rebroadcast time for school district superintendent and BOE candidates should be about 1 1/2 hours in total.
Here is the re-broadcast schedule of the Community Forums held for the New Superintendent Candidates and the ECASD School Board candidates. City Council Candidates are the last part of the broadcast (I think).
Playback should be on Channel 12, CTV government channel.
Monday, March 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 14 at 8:00 a.m.
Monday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 18 at 12:00 noon
Sunday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.
Maria
I hope that you take the time in the comfort of your own homes to record and watch the following rebroadcasts. Rebroadcast time for school district superintendent and BOE candidates should be about 1 1/2 hours in total.
Here is the re-broadcast schedule of the Community Forums held for the New Superintendent Candidates and the ECASD School Board candidates. City Council Candidates are the last part of the broadcast (I think).
Playback should be on Channel 12, CTV government channel.
Monday, March 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Friday, March 14 at 8:00 a.m.
Monday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 18 at 12:00 noon
Sunday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m.
Maria
School Board Candidate Forum
Here are my comments followed by the LT article about the Candidate Forum.
I attended this candidate forum and my observations are the following:
Carol Craig was masterful in her command of the issues and her assessment of her strengths as a candidate: she will provide "effective and stable leadership" during all of the upcoming transitions. Her strengths are her objectivity, ability to invest time in the school district issues, and be respectful but ask tough questions. In my opinion, her task of leading the Little Red Study Committee was a perfect example of walking straight into a really tough problem and examining everything and then proposing sensible and achievable steps to move forward in a way that is constructive and comprehensive for the entire district. What more can we ask for in our elected officials?
Bob Jahnke's responses were a re-run of all the same answers that have not worked in the past. He has already served 9 years on the ECASD BOE and, as far as I am concerned, is one of the Board members who we can classify as "asleep at the wheel" as the district train derailed over the last 10 years. He thinks more money would solve all the problems and would not consider closing more schools to save programming. He is in favor of another referendum for both operating expenses and facilities ASAP and favors a November election over an April one. Has Bob already forgotten that the last one less than a year ago went down in flames? His answers typify the old adage that it is foolish to do the same things over and over again and expect the result to be different.
Adam Shiel is a newcomer to the public sphere. Adam is willing to bring his analytical skills as an electrical engineer, his concern for the children of our community as a parent, his ideas for wise spending as a taxpayer, and his desire for 21st Century workforce standards as an employee to the ECASD and use them to renew our commitment to make our schools a vital part of our community. Solid, respectful and with some new energy and perspective that is needed on the Board.
Maria
Updated: 3/7/2008
Boundary shifts possible, school board candidates say
But further information called for
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
Boundary changes may need to be considered to address lower target enrollments at some north side schools, according to candidates seeking seats on the Eau Claire school board.
But before any action is taken, three of the four candidates - Robert G. Janke, Doug Mell and Adam Shiel - said more information is needed.
"I think it's a good idea to look at demographics of the area before we make any changes," Shiel said Thursday at a candidates forum at DeLong Middle School, which also included Janke and incumbent Carol Craig.
The four are vying for two seats on the school board in the April 1 general election. Incumbent Mike O'Brien, the board's president, isn't seeking re-election.
Mell, unable to attend the forum because of a work commitment in Madison, said he supports a districtwide boundary study with the goal of reaching target capacities in all school facilities - one of the recommendations of the committee that studied how to best use Little Red School.
Through the course of the Little Red committee's work, enrollment figures for the current school year showed target enrollments at some north side schools were much lower than schools on the south side. The figures also showed low enrollment is an issue at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
"Before I would want to make any recommendations about changing a school (or its boundaries), I would want to understand what the educational trade-offs are," Shiel said. "If target enrollments are below what the district thinks (they should be), a consequence of getting those schools closer to target enrollments could most likely be larger class sizes. Is that ... what we want to do?"
"We do have some severe problems," Mell said in a telephone interview after the forum. "We need good information on current population and projected growth and then put together a long-range plan for handling enrollment issues, building issues, technology issues for 10 and 20 years down the road."
Craig, one of three school board members to serve on the Little Red committee, also favors implementing a long-range plan.
In terms of the enrollment, "I would suggest we might want to take a look at the concept of floating boundaries, where instead of just having one neighborhood boundary we have maybe two or three shared schools, where we have floating boundaries, so all our facilities might be able to be used in the most efficient way," she said.
"Another thing we might want to consider is reconfiguring our grades. We may want to take a look at (schools that are) kindergarten through second grade, third grade through fifth grade, (possibly a sixth grade through eighth grade) to better utilize the facilities that we have."
Like Mell and Shiel, Janke, a former school board member, said he believes the board needs to have a detailed analysis of demographics.
"I think some (school board) members were ready to close Little Red and Cleghorn because they wanted to save some money and so forth," said Janke, referring to the two schools.
(The school board followed the Little Red committee's recommendation last month and voted to close the school at the end of the 2007-08 academic year. Cleghorn was closed in 2003.)
"I think these same people ought to stand up and point to one school in the north half of the town to close," said Janke, who opposed closing both schools.
"I might suggest Northstar should be looked at because that is under-enrolled. The county is spending $60 million ... to build a new jail. Well, we could probably sell (Northstar) to them. It already looks like a jail.
"The real problem is (school districts) aren't permitted to build like we should be. The whole thing is money. That's the real problem."
I attended this candidate forum and my observations are the following:
Carol Craig was masterful in her command of the issues and her assessment of her strengths as a candidate: she will provide "effective and stable leadership" during all of the upcoming transitions. Her strengths are her objectivity, ability to invest time in the school district issues, and be respectful but ask tough questions. In my opinion, her task of leading the Little Red Study Committee was a perfect example of walking straight into a really tough problem and examining everything and then proposing sensible and achievable steps to move forward in a way that is constructive and comprehensive for the entire district. What more can we ask for in our elected officials?
Bob Jahnke's responses were a re-run of all the same answers that have not worked in the past. He has already served 9 years on the ECASD BOE and, as far as I am concerned, is one of the Board members who we can classify as "asleep at the wheel" as the district train derailed over the last 10 years. He thinks more money would solve all the problems and would not consider closing more schools to save programming. He is in favor of another referendum for both operating expenses and facilities ASAP and favors a November election over an April one. Has Bob already forgotten that the last one less than a year ago went down in flames? His answers typify the old adage that it is foolish to do the same things over and over again and expect the result to be different.
Adam Shiel is a newcomer to the public sphere. Adam is willing to bring his analytical skills as an electrical engineer, his concern for the children of our community as a parent, his ideas for wise spending as a taxpayer, and his desire for 21st Century workforce standards as an employee to the ECASD and use them to renew our commitment to make our schools a vital part of our community. Solid, respectful and with some new energy and perspective that is needed on the Board.
Maria
Updated: 3/7/2008
Boundary shifts possible, school board candidates say
But further information called for
By Christena T. O'Brien
Leader-Telegram staff
Boundary changes may need to be considered to address lower target enrollments at some north side schools, according to candidates seeking seats on the Eau Claire school board.
But before any action is taken, three of the four candidates - Robert G. Janke, Doug Mell and Adam Shiel - said more information is needed.
"I think it's a good idea to look at demographics of the area before we make any changes," Shiel said Thursday at a candidates forum at DeLong Middle School, which also included Janke and incumbent Carol Craig.
The four are vying for two seats on the school board in the April 1 general election. Incumbent Mike O'Brien, the board's president, isn't seeking re-election.
Mell, unable to attend the forum because of a work commitment in Madison, said he supports a districtwide boundary study with the goal of reaching target capacities in all school facilities - one of the recommendations of the committee that studied how to best use Little Red School.
Through the course of the Little Red committee's work, enrollment figures for the current school year showed target enrollments at some north side schools were much lower than schools on the south side. The figures also showed low enrollment is an issue at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
"Before I would want to make any recommendations about changing a school (or its boundaries), I would want to understand what the educational trade-offs are," Shiel said. "If target enrollments are below what the district thinks (they should be), a consequence of getting those schools closer to target enrollments could most likely be larger class sizes. Is that ... what we want to do?"
"We do have some severe problems," Mell said in a telephone interview after the forum. "We need good information on current population and projected growth and then put together a long-range plan for handling enrollment issues, building issues, technology issues for 10 and 20 years down the road."
Craig, one of three school board members to serve on the Little Red committee, also favors implementing a long-range plan.
In terms of the enrollment, "I would suggest we might want to take a look at the concept of floating boundaries, where instead of just having one neighborhood boundary we have maybe two or three shared schools, where we have floating boundaries, so all our facilities might be able to be used in the most efficient way," she said.
"Another thing we might want to consider is reconfiguring our grades. We may want to take a look at (schools that are) kindergarten through second grade, third grade through fifth grade, (possibly a sixth grade through eighth grade) to better utilize the facilities that we have."
Like Mell and Shiel, Janke, a former school board member, said he believes the board needs to have a detailed analysis of demographics.
"I think some (school board) members were ready to close Little Red and Cleghorn because they wanted to save some money and so forth," said Janke, referring to the two schools.
(The school board followed the Little Red committee's recommendation last month and voted to close the school at the end of the 2007-08 academic year. Cleghorn was closed in 2003.)
"I think these same people ought to stand up and point to one school in the north half of the town to close," said Janke, who opposed closing both schools.
"I might suggest Northstar should be looked at because that is under-enrolled. The county is spending $60 million ... to build a new jail. Well, we could probably sell (Northstar) to them. It already looks like a jail.
"The real problem is (school districts) aren't permitted to build like we should be. The whole thing is money. That's the real problem."
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