Candidates for West Bend School Board
Today was the final day to file papers to run for the West Bend School Board. Ginny posted the final list of filers.
Carl W. Knepel
Kathy Van Eerden (I)
Bart Williams
Lynn Corazzi (I)
Randy Marquardt
Doug Ziegler
Douglas Rakowski
Dave Weigand
Looks like a good pool. This means that there will be a primary in February to narrow the field down to four candidates.
Of the nominees, I’d strongly support Randy Marquardt, Dave Weigand, or Bart Williams. I’d oppose Kathy Van Eerden and Lynn Corazzi. I could live with Carl W. Knepel. I need to get to know Doug Ziegler and Douglas Rakowski before offering any opinion.
How come I don’t see Ginny or Owen??
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 2137 hrs
Because we’re not running. Duh.
Posted by Owen on January 05, 2010 at 2217 hrs
Randy M., Dave W., or Bart W. ... credentials? ...supposed to trust these recs like yor prior?
RM - library drama queen tie in?
BW - he get his low-ball WB building referendum plan verified by an architect or contractor (from Mexico/CHina/Slave laborers-n-2nd hand materials-R-Us)?
DW - You for creationsim taught in public school?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 05, 2010 at 2246 hrs
“Because we’re not running. Duh.”
I would have thought you guys, being two of the most vocal individuals about the school board, would have stepped up to the plate and thrown your hats into the ring, and was wondering why you would choose not to run. Especially you Owen. As a winner of an illustrious award from the MacGyver Institute for your hard hitting coverage of the school budget you would have made an ideal candidate.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 0705 hrs
Well, let’s see, Pat.
- I travel up to 50% of the time in some quarters - especially the 4th quarter. Given that I would miss so many meetings, I’d hardly be an adequate public servant.
- Running for office would put both this blog and my column under campaign finance restrictions and reduce my ability to speak on issues. There’s also a strong chance that I might lose my column, which does provide a supplementary income for my family.
- I already serve as the chairman of a private school board. The perceived conflict of interest would force me to recuse myself from certain votes - further reducing any effectiveness I might have on the board.
I could go on, but suffice it to say, I am more effective on board policy and provide a better service to my community from where I am that I could be sitting on that board.
Posted by Owen on January 06, 2010 at 0753 hrs
Based on FABPat’s reasoning, most members of the media should have filed papers.
I won’t be offering a polite list as Owen did. Everyone does what they do best according to where they feel they should be in that season of their life.
Seems to me, FABPat, you feel like you missed your opportunity.
Posted by GAMazy on January 06, 2010 at 0825 hrs
“Based on FABPat’s reasoning, most members of the media should have filed papers.”
I had no idea you were a member of the media! That’s why you aren’t able to run. What media outlet are you a member of?
And I missed my opportunity for what?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 1453 hrs
Pat, are you a middle schooler? or a real, live grownup?
I did not state or imply I was a member of the media.
Since you seem to think the “ideal candidate” is someone who posts “hard hitting coverage of the school budget,” you imply yourself that those who giftedly project information to the public are, indeed, very qualified.
Such a silly guy!
Posted by GAMazy on January 06, 2010 at 1505 hrs
Mazy,
At what point does any of your “coverage” rise to the level of hard hitting?Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 1719 hrs
Ginny,
That was a very nice try at tossing out an insult. It might have had an effect had it come from someone else who isn’t morally challenged. It once again proves that you’re a person of very little substance.
Oh, and thank you Owen for your answer. It makes sense.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 1801 hrs
Anon,
Before you go on the attack know what the hell your talking about. FABP was referring to Owen (#4). By the way are you a teacher?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 1805 hrs
No FABP was referring to Ginny too in #4.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 1816 hrs
9. Anon. Never said it was. Ever.
Posted by GAMazy on January 06, 2010 at 1823 hrs
I would have thought you guys, being two of the most vocal individuals about the school board, would have stepped up to the plate and thrown your hats into the ring, and was wondering why you would choose not to run. Especially you Owen.
A very good Question.
- I travel up to 50% of the time in some quarters - especially the 4th quarter. Given that I would miss so many meetings, I’d hardly be an adequate public servant.
- Running for office would put both this blog and my column under campaign finance restrictions and reduce my ability to speak on issues. There’s also a strong chance that I might lose my column, which does provide a supplementary income for my family.
- I already serve as the chairman of a private school board. The perceived conflict of interest would force me to recuse myself from certain votes - further reducing any effectiveness I might have on the board.
A good answer.
I will say however that just being on a school board does not preclude you from political opinions or expressing them. Losing your column might not be that bad if you don’t make significantly more than $2000/yr, because that is what a board member makes. An amount that has not changed since the late 1980’s. The conflict of interest would be minimal at best. I can’t remember the last time that we made a decision that had anything to do with private schools.
One thing that Owen is definately correct on is the fact that school board membership, if done correctly, requires many hours of participation. It is far more than just a couple of hours twice a month. If a person is not committed to the job they will be poor representatives of the community. this is a point that I made to Todd Miller, Bruce Koenig and Tim Stepanski. they didn’t believe me at first, but have over time admitted that they really were at times shocked at the amount of time the board takes.
The people running that have no experience with the board have no idea what they are getting into. That being said, Good Luck to all that have decided to run.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 2203 hrs
That was a very nice try at tossing out an insult. It might have had an effect had it come from someone else who isn’t morally challenged. It once again proves that you’re a person of very little substance.
Good thing you weren’t called a teenaged nerd living in your parent’s basement, right FaBP? Because then it would have been kosher and with significant substance… of course, it would still be dripping with hypocrisy.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 06, 2010 at 2318 hrs
Funny
I thought a poor representative of the community was a group of elected board members who spit in the face of the public that entrusted them in order to play out there own twisted agenda. Guess I was wrong all you need to do is show up and put in the time to become a good community rep.
Maybe Owen should run then he could post all the official business that is discussed behind closed doors and for once the public would not be in the dark. He could call it the minutes after the official minutes.
Perhaps the current board never experienced new people with new ideas, people that stick to there policy, people with backbone, or is the community better off with a group of people who can all nod there head yes in unison.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 07, 2010 at 0139 hrs
I suppose because I disagree with how the Post Office handles my mail I should go work for them.
Or maybe the next time I have an opinion about the lousy service I have get at a Restaurant I should go work for them too.
Maybe the next time I have an opinion about a jerk off Driver, I should become a Driving Instructor.That’s the best the Board and it’s defenders can come up with to deflect criticism.
What a Lame Pompous argument.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 07, 2010 at 1149 hrs
I suppose because I disagree with how the Post Office handles my mail I should go work for them.
Or maybe the next time I have an opinion about the lousy service I have get at a Restaurant I should go work for them too.
Maybe the next time I have an opinion about a jerk off Driver, I should become a Driving Instructor.There is a choice to be part of the “problem” or part of the “solution”.
All that is being said is if people feel so strongly about the school board’s decisions, they should run for school board while the opportunity presents itself. What better way to get fully informed and be an active part of the solution?
In recent months, some citizens complained that one board member was “taken to the shed” (I believe was the term used on B&S by a poster) and thus, changed his point of view/vote. Could it possibly be that after he joined the WBSB and dedicated hours upon hours and fielded uncountable phonecalls and emails, he realized the impact of these decisions and voted accordingly?
Walk a mile in those shoes. Be part of the solution.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 07, 2010 at 1840 hrs
Walk a mile in those shoes
So why don’t you share with us all the miles and in whose shoes you have walked…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 07, 2010 at 1926 hrs
“That’s the best the Board and it’s defenders can come up with to deflect criticism.
What a Lame Pompous argument. “
I was not/am not, defending the board. I was questioning why two of West Bends most vocal individuals about how the board was operating, were not running for school board themselves. Owen has a pretty good reason because of the amount of time it would take, but I would assume no more than running this blog and writing a column. But in the end it’s his own personal choice between commenting about problems or actually doing something about them. And that’s perfectly fine. The majority of the public are Monday morning quarterbacks and do more talking about problems than actually finding solutions and helping to implement them. I’m 100% positive he feels he’s doing all he can do to improve things by blogging.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 07, 2010 at 2001 hrs
I’m vocal about state issues too. Do I have to run for the legislature? What about national issues? I criticized the City of West Bend and Washington County many times. Those too? Do I have to run for everything or can I just be a citizen commenting on my society and governments?
Hey, come to think of it… Pat, you’ve been commenting on issues too. When did you run?
This whole argument is idiotic.
Posted by Owen on January 07, 2010 at 2014 hrs
One thing that Owen is definately correct on is the fact that school board membership, if done correctly, requires many hours of participation.
And, in some cases, doing a shotty job takes many hours…
Posted by Smeety on January 07, 2010 at 2016 hrs
So why don’t you share with us all the miles and in whose shoes you have walked…
I’m not throwing stones.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 07, 2010 at 2112 hrs
“I’m vocal about state issues too. Do I have to run for the legislature? What about national issues? I criticized the City of West Bend and Washington County many times. Those too? Do I have to run for everything or can I just be a citizen commenting on my society and governments?”
I’m sorry Owen, it’s not an argument. It was only a question as to why two of this communities most vocal individuals about the operation of the school board did not step up to the plate to run for the board. When I get to the point of becoming as passionate as you have been about the school board I will run. And I would care less about the time or money. Or maybe I’ll start a blog.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 07, 2010 at 2121 hrs
Comments 16, 17 and 22 are part of the reason that political discourse is virtually non-existant in this country.
I did not say that all you need to do is show up and put in your time. I was agreeing with Owen that if a person is going to be on a board that they should be willing and able to put in the time necessary.
If Smeety, crusher and smarter have attended meetings they know that I have personally invited anyone who wants to be a part of the process to join and give their ideas towards making the decisions better or less “shotty.” I have also, on this blog, said that if you want to talk to me as a board member you can e-mail me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call me at 262-306-2602. I return phone calls and e-mails that are specifically to me.
I welcome hearing your ideas about making things at the district better. You will however need to come out from behind the pseudonyms. You will need to “man up” and own your words.
I rarely agree with Owen, but I have said many times that he offers reasoned and well thought out ideas. In addition to that he puts his name and face out there for everyone to see. He owns his words.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 1746 hrs
Kris,
You say this as if several more voices telling you jackasses not to raise taxes would have helped.
Puh - leez.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 1754 hrs
First, you will notice that I have not used profanity in any of my comments.
Second, you and anyone who didn’t like the way we voted on the budget seem to completely discount the fact that there were three meetings and there were many more in favor of the vote than against at the second two meetings. Before you say we stacked the audience, we as a board and administration had nothing to do with the organization of the vote yes side that was done by private citizens.
Third, if we had voted to cut at that time we would have done so almost solely at the expense of students. By waiting we are now able to use the negotiation process to affect the entire budget.
Fourth, the vote no crowd has not acknowledged the fact that there were people at the first meeting that were not from West Bend that voted verbally. There were also parents that had children who were not 18 yell no as well.
Fifth, no one from the vote yes side tried to bribe/influence me to vote a certain way. I was told by one of the vote no crowd that she would vote for me in the next election if I voted against the tax increase. That lady was Helen Neal. Lastly, for the record, I was not comfortable with the fact that we, as a board, recieved applause at those meetings. I thought it was out of line.My offer still stands if you want to talk verbally or via e-mail I am willing to listen to your ideas. No hiding behind pseudonyms.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 1819 hrs
Kris,
I do take umbrage with your last post. I have acknowledged there were some under 18 that were at the Annual Meeting. Far less than 1% than those under 18 that appeared at the reactionary 2nd and 3rd meeting. Not only that, but from my understanding, the 2nd and 3rd meetings were attended by mostly the same people. To think there was a huge difference in the number of yes vs. no is naive or disingenuine.
You say you and the board and administration had nothing to do with the organization of the yes vote - I don’t think you can speak for everyone on that. The yes voters were prepared far in advance of anyone so they had the info from somewhere - and a leak to Boots and Sabers was how everything came to light for the community at large, mainly the no voters. Even the Daily News spiked the story until they ran a shameful teaser just 2 days before the Annual Meeting.
I know you are concerned with the psuedonyms here, do you share the same attitude towards the “Support The West Bend Schools” website? - they are anonymous as well. Those names would be equally as interesting. Have you called on them to come out?
All that aside, it does take a large amount of time to be effective in the School Board position. Just being on one of the sub-committees was a large time investment. I have no problems with people who, like Kris says, have a well-thought out argument, voice their concerns but do not run for office. I would love to run, but after talking with my wife, we could not afford the time. I certainly appreciate the time the people on the board sacrifice in an attempt to keep quality education here in West Bend.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 1921 hrs
My offer still stands if you want to talk verbally or via e-mail I am willing to listen to your ideas.
Kris, are you open to bringing in an independent consultant (not selected by the board) to review the expenditures and provide a list of recommendations for cost savings measures?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 1931 hrs
We have brought in consultants. they have offered ideas and we have iplemented them. So, on the surface I am not opposed. Who will pay this consultant? what kind of qualifications will satisfy the critics of the district and meet the need of this person being knowledgable enough with Fund accounting to make realistic recommendations?
As someone who was duly elected I would want some say in the process.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 2008 hrs
Rich,
You may have acknowledged that fact but very few others have.
I have a concern that not only were there people under 18 that voted but also people from outside the community.
Yes I have a problem anytime people use a pseudonym. That is why I stopped a long time ago and at that time told people who I was and the pseudonym I had been using. I own my words.
I may not have been clear enough. There was no organized board or administration effort to organize people. If an individual wants to do that on their own time they have that right as a citizen of the district. i personally did not have any part in anything that was organized.
(An addition to comment #30.) I am speaking only for myself and no one else when I comment on this blog or in any other venue outside of a board meeting.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 2017 hrs
Kris,
Just as there were people from outside the community that were at the other two meetings. That is one of my biggest hang-ups with the way the board handled the last budget - hiding behind a notion that there was more support than there was. That’s why a unanimous vote was even harder to swallow. Even at the board work session where the High School issue was discussed when Todd Miller said that he was hearing from more opponents than supporters - Joe Carlson and others on the board laughed him down.
Either way, it is good to see a contested race. As you and others said at the same meeting I mention above, let the community speak and decide. Once my kids get a little older, I will throw my hat in the ring again.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 08, 2010 at 2250 hrs
Consider for next year’s levy vote:
In large enough venues…
2-3 weeks prior, the proposed tax levy, prioritized staff and program cuts (“threats”/promises) (if the levy recommendation fails) and contact information is posted on the district website, in the WB news and sent out in mailings.
Have meeting (at all the schools) 2-3 weeks prior to the vote to explain the situation. only Take written questions and answer them at this meeting(s). It could be done through Skype and projected on screens for all to see as well as on the local cable news. A board member could literally be at each building for these meetings.
At the levy meeting, re-explain the situation. Let people voice their opinions. Residents vote with a paper ballot using the same method (firewalls) used to elect representatives.
Let the chips falls where they may. Move forward.
...something to consider.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 09, 2010 at 0938 hrs
what kind of qualifications will satisfy the critics of the district and meet the need of this person being knowledgable enough with Fund accounting to make realistic recommendations?
Kris, I see Fund Accounting as more focused on keeping records on how moneys are spent vs identifying creative ways to reduce costs without impacting the quality of education. I’m assuming the board has a handle on that. Someone with education and previous experience in this field would be a good place to start. Far as how to pay for this person, the savings the person should more than off-set the cost, otherwise what is the point?
Point being, this board seems much more focused on obtaining and spending money, rather than looking for ways to save money. Any efforts towards the latter would be both prudent and would go a long ways towards improving community relations. That’s my opinion. I do appreciate your response.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 11, 2010 at 1823 hrs
I urge my fellow bloggers to support Doug Ziegler for school board.
His love of and service to this community are legendary.
He is intelligent, honest and sensible with a profound understanding of finance.
I am personally delighted that he is willing to once again serve when the District is in such dire need of his wisdom and expertise.Posted by Charlie Hillman on January 13, 2010 at 1801 hrs
Let me also thank Rich for his service. CFAC service is as much fun as setting off an undie bomb, but it is where important issues are being vetted.
Posted by Charlie Hillman on January 13, 2010 at 1805 hrs
35. I think not.
Posted by GAMazy on January 14, 2010 at 1834 hrs
I think your blog already improved and very impressive!
Posted by Bi Fold Doors and Windows London on January 22, 2010 at 0338 hrs
Total Entries: 19650
Total Comments: 129787
Most Recent Entry: 02/09/2012 07:47 pm
Most Recent Comment on: 02/09/2012 07:17 pm
Total Members: 9751
Total Logged in members: 0
Total guests: 139
Total anonymous users: 3
Most Recent Visitor on: 02/09/2012 08:03 pm
The most visitors ever was 538 on 12/01/2007 02:11 pm
Protected and licensed under a Creative Commons License (some rights reserved).