School Board Candidacy

School Board Candidacy
Posted on 12/18/2014

Happy Holidays!

“Twas the week before winter break and all through our schools children are learning and obeying the rules. Teachers are busy teaching while our cooks make a healthy lunch, with many fruits and veggies that have just the right crunch.

After a freezing November we welcome weather more mild; outside recess is much better for every teacher, parent, and child! Our teams are competing and representing us well, and our children’s music concerts make parents’ hearts swell. 

The band, orchestra, and choir hit all of their notes, as the school board works hard to make all the right votes. Construction continues on the new MHS gym floor, with hopes that crowds will soon be let in the door. 

Our school custodians are busy cleaning and waxing. We appreciate their work; it must be real taxing! Administrators are developing next year’s budget report, hoping the state legislature doesn’t leave cutting as the only resort.

We are all very blessed to live in a community that cares, with many wonderful organizations that are willing to share! If you look for a moment it is easy to see, what makes it so great to live in Menomonie!”

Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year from everyone in the Menomonie Area School District!

As the New Year approaches, preparations are being made for the upcoming spring school board election.  After years of dedicated service to the school district, Alan Block and Tanya Husby have filed notices for non-candidacy, so there will be two vacancies on the board.  Current President Colleen Davis will seek another term on the board, so her name will appear on the April 7 ballot. 

Having board members govern and help determine the shared vision for the school district is a critical component to the success of our schools. According to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB), major board member responsibilities include promoting student achievement, policymaking, evaluating school operations, adopting the budget, communicating with the public, and establishing an effective relationship with school administration.  Some qualities that WASB suggests are common in successful board members include:

●     A commitment to the belief that all children are entitled to have available to them a beneficial educational program.

●     An open mind and readiness to learn.

●     A willingness to attend seminars and workshops which can help them make intelligent decisions in school affairs.

●     A vision and ability to understand changes in society.

●     The ability to act with other school board members to advance the best interests of the school district.

●     The capability to articulate the philosophy and goals of the school and to listen carefully to the criticisms offered by
           people with differing views.

●     A willingness to invest the hours that will be necessary to faithfully discharge their duties.

●     Freedom from conflict with any other interest.

Anyone interested in running for a seat on the School District of the Menomonie Area Board of Education needs to file a declaration of candidacy form by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, at the Administrative Service Center (ASC) located at 215 Pine Avenue. More information and the forms required for candidacy are available at the ASC, and a Guide for Candidates publication is also available on the website of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB). Should school stakeholders have any questions about becoming a school board member or anything else regarding our school district, I invite you to visit the ASC or contact me at 715-232-1642.  More information about our schools can be found on the school district website (www.sdmaonline.com) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sdmaonline).