Star Journal Report

RHINELANDER – Four candidates will be on the ballot to serve on the School District of Rhinelander Board of Education and one candidate has registered as a write-in to fill three vacant seats. Incumbents Judy Conlin, Ron Lueneberg and Mary Peterson are challenged by Brett Petrick and write-in Callie Bertsch. The Star Journal asked all five candidates the same three questions, requesting their answers be limited due to space constraints. The following are the candidates’ responses, listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.

Brett Petrick
Why are you running for election? Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the school board?
I worked for and retired from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office in January 2021, after over 21 years of service. My last three plus years with the sheriff’s office I worked as a school resource officer in the Rhinelander school district. In that time I worked with and developed a rapport with students, parents and staff. I worked with all the schools, my office was at the middle school. When dealing with serious situations I always tried to get parents involved and work together to solve problems and work toward positive solutions. My time in the schools was both rewarding and challenging and it didn’t take long for me to feel invested in the schools. Safety was and is my priority when it comes to our schools. Before retiring from the sheriff’s office I obtained my substitute teaching certificate and have been subbing part time since.

What do you see as the primary work of the school board?
The role of the board is to be fiscally responsible with the schools finances which are funded by the community and tax payers. Also to support students, parents and staff in the best way possible to give our students the best education possible.

What is the role of public schools in teaching children about topics such as sex education, equity, bullying and internet safety?
Regarding the question about the role of schools in teaching sex education, I think that teaching the biology and science regarding reproduction at more mature ages is appropriate. I think that it can be inappropriate for schools to get into details regarding sexual lifestyles and identities, I feel that those topics are for parents to discuss with their children.
Regarding the equity question I am for equal opportunities and believe that with hard work and perseverance students can have good outcomes but not necessarily equal outcomes. Regarding bullying, the schools do not allow bullying, I sometimes dealt with this as a resource officer. If it was found that there was bullying it was handled appropriately. Internet safety is very important and should be discussed at home and school. As a resource officer on occasion I would investigate on-line issues that could possibly put students in danger and worked with the school and parents to prevent that.

Judith Conlin
Why are you running for re-election? Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the school board?
I am running for re-election because I have knowledge, skills and multiple perspectives that I bring to Board discussions and decision making. As a special education and elementary teacher I was committed to each student being a successful learner (academically, behaviorally, and seeing themselves as competent and valued). As a Director of Instruction and educational consultant, I worked with teachers to help them grow professionally to better meet the needs of their students. During my 15 years on the Board, we have made great strides building trust with the community though open and honest communication, focusing on growth in student achievement, hiring and retaining high quality staff and supporting them in their professional growth, and being fiscally responsible. To learn more about me, my priorities, and qualifications, please visit https://judyconlin.wixsite.com/2022. I hope to be able to continue to serve our students, staff, parents and the community. Please vote for your top three candidates for the Board because working together we build the future.

What do you see as the primary work of the school board?
Board members must understand how the roles and responsibilities of the Board and Administration are different. The work of the Board is to focus on student achievement, policies, budgets, building trust with parents and the community. Policies protect students’ rights and parents’ rights regarding their child’s education and must be consistent with state and federal laws. We approve and monitor district finances to provide the resources to fund operations, hire and retain quality staff, and build and maintain buildings to meet the space needed for learning, co-curricular activities and needs of the community. We build trust by listening to and considering parent and community concerns, differing viewpoints and options, impacts of decisions, and communicating the reasons behind our decisions. Boards hire and evaluate the Superintendent who is responsible for the operation of the district and schools and communicating with families, businesses and the community. Annually the Board reviews the Superintendent’s performance within the structure of the Strategic Plan. At our committee and Board meetings we review data on student achievement, determine additional supports needed for student success, allocate resources (financial, teachers and staff, and professional development), listen to parents and the community as part of our decision making process, and determine if we will adopt recommendations from Administration.

What is the role of public schools in teaching children about topics such as sex education, equity, bullying and internet safety?
Equity allows each and every person to reach their potential. Equity in schools provides the opportunity for special education students to have access to the general education curriculum and to have the supports necessary to be successful. Equity allows all students to see the value of others, to see abilities (not disabilities), to respect differences. We address bullying when students do not respect differences or threaten others’ safety. Students need to learn how to be safe on the internet and to learn to evaluate sources to determine if they are credible sources of information. We teach to the WI DPI health standards. Parents can exempt their child from curricular content and students are then given alternate instructional materials and lessons.

Ronald Lueneburg
Why are you running for re-election? Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the school board?
I am running for re-election to the Rhinelander board of education so that I may continue to serve the community and contribute to the positive work the school board has been doing over the past few years. Over the term I served, the Hodag dome was built, Crescent elementary school had a gymnasium and classrooms added, facility upgrades in the district were approved, and various staff positions have been added. All of these benefited the district and the the Dome has been a great benefit to the community as well. There have been some issues over the past year or so that have somewhat divided the parents of students such as COVID guidelines in the district, gender identity, or other material being instructed in schools. Parents have threatened to remove their children from the district due to how certain issues are being addressed. This is of great concern to me. I want to remain a board member so that I can be a voice to advocate that our district be neutral to many of these politically charged issues and that we stick to the fundamentals of education. I want the parents who are contemplating removing their children from the district to have their confidence restored.

I don’t know if there is one particular issue motivating me to run, but more of how the School district is functioning overall. Having a voice in the direction the district is going means a lot because I want it to be successful in implementing policy which guides staff to instill the fundamentals of education to the children in our community. It is crucial the district prepares students academically for life after high school. This means providing the educational tools to process both situations and problems and think them through to yield the best outcome. Teaching how to critically think by analyzing information through research verses buying in to group think and political ideologies, is important to developing young men and women who are objective in their thinking.

What do you see as the primary work of the school board?
Some of the primary work or functions of the school board is to set district policy, approve large expenditures, approve hires, and hire and evaluate the superintendent. While the superintendent and his staff run day to day operations, the school board has the responsibility of overseeing the bigger picture of the operations. Setting the direction of the district through policy implementation is likely one of the most significant responsibilities the board engages in.

What is the role of public schools in teaching children about topics such as sex education, equity, bullying and internet safety?
The role of public schools in teaching children about topics such as sex education, equity, bullying and internet safety likely varies from district to district. However, public schools do have a role in providing basic information to students in regard to these areas. Providing basic information about each topic to students is important. I also think it is essential that schools work in partnership with parents/guardians to address these topics and have open communication to make sure material content is shared.

Mary Peterson
Why are you running for re-election? Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the school board?
The excellent education my children received in the K-12 SDR prepared them for a future where they are now successful contributing members of their own communities. I have been on the SDR school board for 15 years to do what I could to ensure all Rhinelander students are receiving the same caliber of education as my children experienced.

There is a particular issue that motivates me and that is teacher professional development. Professional development is designed for all staff members to continue their education in their specific area of teaching. It brings new ideas to add to what is already being used or can replace existing methods. When it is relevant to the teachers, it benefits the students being taught.

What do you see as the primary work of the school board?
We have the responsibility of helping the administration provide the best learning environment while being fiscally responsible to our constituents. I have been on the school board for 15 years. Throughout these years, I have watched as state funding to Rhinelander has diminished year after year. We, as a community, have a responsibility to provide education for our children. I feel we have been very careful with our taxpayers’ funding while still allowing our district to move forward towards educational excellence.

What is the role of public schools in teaching children about topics such as sex education, equity, bullying and internet safety?
The SDR has an approved curriculum for sex education. Classroom equity is making sure every student has the resources and support they need to be successful. Bullying is addressed when an incident is noted. Role playing is one example of helping students understand how harmful it is to the child being bullied. And internet safety is an everyday reminder to all students.
The role of the school is to give the student the basic information. Details and further questions on any of these areas should be handled by the parent/guardian with additional help from the district, if necessary.

Registered write-in, Callie Bertsch
Why are you running for election? Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the school board?
I have chosen to run as an official write-in candidate after attending board meetings and seeing that those running would not provide a voice on the board like mine, a mother to a child who is school-aged and has special needs. This will provide a unique voice on the board that I think is necessary to provide the best for all the students in the district. I also have a diverse background of working in environmental education, being a substitute teacher, a Peace Corps Volunteer working in community and organizational development, working for non-profits and now as a State Forester for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

What do you see as the primary work of the school board?
The primary work of the school board is to ensure funding for teachers, staff and programs that benefit ALL students. This might include decisions on extracurricular activities, building projects and renovations, programs to keep our students safe, and the general education to meet state and federal requirements.

What is the role of public schools in teaching children about topics such as sex education, equity, bullying and internet safety?
I was raised in a family that believed it was the parents’ role to provide this education and it seems easy to say that the family should still be the primary educator of many of these things. However, the reality is that many students won’t receive that education in the home and school is the most accessible way for students to learn it. Should children learn not to bully at home? Of course! But when it happens, the schools are the first place to see it and likely have the first ability to address it. It’s my hope that the teachers and staff are well-equipped for this job. This applies to teaching about diversity, equity and inclusion, sex education, and internet safety. For parents who choose to teach one thing, or emphasize that one way is best, it doesn’t suffice for curious minds and the need for a safe education of the topic that the public schools can provide.

Polls are open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
What to expect at the polls:
Bring an acceptable photo ID
– Must be current. Wisconsin DL or State ID cards, military IDs and Passports can be expired, if they expired since the last general election (Nov. 3, 2020)
-Name must be same as on the poll list
– Voters without ID will be issued a provisional ballot. Return to poll with ID by 8 p.m. on Election Day, or to the municipal clerk in person by 4 p.m., the Friday after the election.
– Bring proof of residence if registering to vote

Results are reported by each of Wisconsin’s 72 county clerks, who are required by law to post unofficial results to their websites. Remember election night results are always unofficial. Winners are never certified on election night. View the unofficial results here:
www.co.oneida.wi.us/government/election-information
www.vilascountywi.gov/residents/elections/election_results.php
https://co.lincoln.wi.us/county-clerk/page/elections

For more information on voting, visit https://myvote.wi-gov.