The candidates are set, now come the interviews

By Ginna Young

With the resignation of two of its members, the Cadott School Board called for candidates to throw their names in the ring to fill the open position. And the community answered.

Six applicants put their names forward – Andy Falkenberg, Jennifer Handrick, Shane Mathison, Todd Rykal and Cara Sikora, in an outpouring of interest in the district.

“I think that’s a real positive thing to see,” said school board president Cory LaNou.

The prospective candidates were given some questions the board felt pertinent ahead of time, and the candidates were then narrowed down to three, June 9, at the regular board of education meeting. It was important to the board to note that the entire process is done in an open meeting, not behind closed doors.

“The public has a lot of power here,” said LaNou. “It can be sometimes awkward, obviously, but that’s kind of what they’re signing up for.”

Therefore, the board spoke openly about why they felt a candidate would be good for one of the open seats. However, LaNou did point out, that if the board doesn’t feel an applicant is an ideal fit, they do not have to appoint them.

Members went down the list and decided the first applicant they’d like a second look at, is Falkenberg, as he represents a younger part of the population, graduated from Cadott not too many years ago, and has a handle on emerging technology.

“I think he could bring very good ideas to the board,” said board member Andrea Wahl.

They also decided to speak with Mathison, as he is wellknown and trusted in the Cadott area.

“I think he’s a very respected community member, who brings a good reputation with him, as well,” said Wahl.

Since Mathison does athletic training with students, it was questioned by board member Karen Winchell, if that is a conflict of interest, even though he subcontracts outside of the school. Sue Shakal, director of finance, shared that she does cut him a check from the school district.

It was agreed that, if appointed, Mathison would go into the position, knowing he would have to donate his training time.

The third and final applicant to take a second look at, was Rykal. While Wahl had nothing but praise for him, listing his many ventures and good works in the community, she was also worried that being on the school board would interfere with that, especially since he is the head varsity football coach.

“I think that’s his place to understand that cause and effect, if you will,” said board member Rod Tegels. “I think he should be graded on the attributes he can offer.”

The selected candidates to move on for in-person interviews, will meet with the board, in a public meeting, Thursday, June 12, at 6 p.m., or a back-up date, if not all applicants are available, of Friday, June 20, at 6 p.m., at the elementary school, with a room to be determined.

If one or more are appointed to the vacant seats, they will serve until April, and would then be up for re-election, if they wished to run. Previously, it had been understood that anyone who filled the seats would finish out the terms of former members Brad Sonnentag and Casey Yeager, but after consulting an attorney, it was discovered that is not the case.

That threw the board for a loop, as that left the potential for a complete turnover and no quorum, at some point and time.

“Once they’re elected, I think the board could discuss staggering them again, but there is a process to that, as well,” said Spaeth.