Lifelong resident and 1970 Rhinelander High School graduate, Ann Munninghoff Eshelman  has announced she is running for a seat on the Rhinelander School District Board of Education.
This is Ann’s first run for public office.
“My reasons for running are simple,” she recently stated. “I care about our school district and the people it serves. Its success is critical to the well-being of our community. We face many challenges and I believe I can make a contribution toward successfully addressing those challenges.”
Munninghoff Eshelman retired from the State Public Defender’s Office after 30 years and is currently an adjunct philosophy instructor at Nicolet College. She is most proud of being the first woman attorney to have a practice in Rhinelander.
“My background includes strong advocacy for the rights of everyone in our community regardless of financial or political status.”
“Because the District’s recently formulated Strategic Plan involved the opportunity for active participation from all stakeholders in our communities, it is a good place to continue to address problems and forge a path toward an even better school district.”
“The State of Wisconsin’s severely declining support for public schools ought to be a primary concern for all of us. This means increasing reliance on local property tax payers as well as increased fees from those in school. This is not sustainable. The district has cut out all the fat and sliced through a lot of muscle and will soon whittle away at the bones if we don’t address school funding issues,” stated Munninghoff Eshelman.
Munninghoff Eshelman volunteers her time at the Rhinelander Food Pantry, has served on the RIPCO Board, the Howard Young Medical Ethics Committee and at different wildlife sanctuaries throughout the world. She also co-chairs the annual Northwoods Sustainability Fair.
Ann points with pride to the fact that she has been educated in public institutions from first grade through law school. She is also proud to acknowledge that her parents, brothers, and husband have done likewise.
“Public education provides me with an opportunity to live and flourish in the community where I grew up and want to spend the rest of my life. It’s time for me to repay the favor.”