Posted: 10/24/06
Meet the school board candidates
Naomi Fruechte, Charlie Wray and Michelle Werner have filed for three of the four four-year terms on the school board. Wray and Fruechte are incumbents. Chuck Schulte did not file for reelection.
Naomi Fruechte
Why are you running for school board?
This is a service I can provide to my community. We are allÝto contribute to our society in a way thatÝutilizes our skills or talents. At this time in my life, this is one of the ways I have chosen.
What are your qualifications?
I have an educational and work experience related to education which gives me some background understanding for the position. I taught adults and youth in informal educational programs, facilitated a variety of groups, chaired professional and community organizations, and participated in community service projects. I have served a term on the school board which has provided valuable experience. I have participated in a number of training programs for school board members. Lastly, I have an interest in the future of our community and its children. We must educate students to be capable citizens in the world.
What are the biggest issues facing ISD #299, and how would you address them?
Financial issues seem to be perennial and the referendum will be up for renewal next year. I will strive to inform the voters of District #299 about the Boardís stewardship of the referendum money and the need to renew it for another term. Until the state legislature changes the process of funding public education, local referendums will continue to be the only solution toÝfund education in our district at a level whichÝequips our students for their futures.
Decrease in student numbers is an issue in our district as well as inÝotherÝrural districts. We just donít have the number of children in our areaÝthat we once had. Community development efforts might bring in more people, or keep people in the area, but that is a gradual process and doesnít swell school-age population in a year. So the immediate solution is to keep a balance between the student population and the inputs needed to provide the quality of education we expect.Ý
Any other comments? My first term on the school board has been satisfying and rewarding. I am ready to assume the responsibilities of a second term.
Michelle Werner
My name is Michelle Werner and I decided to run for school board for a couple of reasons.
The past few years I have been attending school board meetings to express concerns about my childrenís education. The current board has been gracious enough to listen to me and consider my thoughts. In attending these meetings, I realized how important it is to take an active role in my childrenís education. Serving on the school board is one way I can do that.
My second reason is one that really concerns me, lack of interest in the position by others. I was thankful to hear that Naomi Fruechte and Charlie Wray had decided to run again for their positions. Joyce Knutson had stepped up when Mr. Novak resigned from the board earlier this year, but that leaves two positions still open. After trying and failing to convince some friends they would be good in those positions, I felt I needed to make the commitment to the community and apply for a position myself.
What are my qualifications for the school board? I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Mathematics. After college, I managed a small retail business before heading off into the banking industry. Iíve been blessed the last ten years to be able to stay home with my three children. I do take an active role in our schools by volunteering on various PACE committees in the elementary, by serving on the ISD 299 Foundation board, and by visiting with our educators and other parents.
There are a few issues facing our school district. One is the budget. I believe the budget will always be an issue for any district. The current board has done an excellent job of getting the district financially sound. Iím sure tough decisions will have to be made in the future to stay on track financially. Another issue is curriculum development. Iím aware there is a committee currently working on this, but I do believe that it is something the board must continually study and make a top priority. I believe that if we have a good curriculum, the outcome will be above average test scores and students with a well-rounded education ready for life. Curriculum is more than having the right subjects; it is also about having educators that inspire and encourage our students. We have many examples of this currently in ISD 299 and we need to build on this.
In closing, I would like to thank Chuck Schulte and Mary Frank for serving on the school board. Thank you for your time, your wisdom and your patience! You both served your community well. To all the residents of ISD #299, I encourage you to take an active role in our childrenís education. Contact school board members with your thoughts, visit with our students and teachers to hear their concerns and ideas; the students we educate today are the doctors, lawyers, teachers and community leaders of tomorrow. Thank you.
Charlie Wray
Why are you running for school board? Many people believe in helping out where they can in their communities. This is what I am doing.
What are your qualifications? I have a sincere interest in providing the best possible education to the students of this district using the available resources.
What are the biggest issues facing ISD #299, and how would you address them? I feel the biggest issue facing ISD #299, as well as all the other districts in Minnesota, is to continue to offer a varied and challenging curriculum given the testing requirements and other unfunded mandates coming from the national and state level. State funding increases to the basic per pupil aid for the last four years has been: 0%, 0%, 4%, and 4%. The Consumer Price Index has increased since 2003: 2.3%, 2.7%, 3.4%, and 3.8% for the first six months of 2006. In the ìno new taxî climate of the last 4 years school districts throughout the state have not received funding to keep up with inflation while at the same time some state funding was and is being shifted to the local property tax. There are some state politicians who claim that the state budget was balanced without raising taxes. They apparently have forgotten about property taxes.
What will I do to address this issue? I will continue to honestly deal with the budgetary process as my fellow board members and I have done in the past and to make the public aware of the choices available to the district.
A good public education is expensive in money and effort but it is the price we as a community must pay in order for our young people to be productive members of our society. The only thing more expensive to a community is a poor public education.
Joyce Knutson
Knutson is seeking a two-year term to complete the term of former school board member Mike Novak
Why are you running for school board? I want to become more involved in my childrenís school and take an interest in the day to day operations that are behind the scene that I never knew were going on.
What are your qualifications? I am a concerned parent of a toddler, elementary, high school and college student and pay taxes in our school district. I have lived in rural Caledonia for the past 23 years and employed with the same employer for the past 13 1/2 years.
What are the biggest issues facing ISD #299, and how would you address them? There are always issues of money and declining enrollment and how to make the two work without sacrificing education or any of the extra curriculars that make well rounded young adults that are prepared for the work force, two or four year college.
Any other comments? We have a beautiful building filled with wonderful people, just think of the possibilities.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com