Gilman school candidates talk about issues in election

Candidates for contested school board races were asked to respond to questions to help educate voters about their choices.

Valorie Kulesa

Hi, my name is Valorie (Val) Kulesa. I have been married to Joel for 36 years. We had 4 children that graduated from Gilman. I have been on the CESA (Cooperative Educational Service Agency) Board of Control for the past 13 years, the WIRSA (Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance) Board of Control for the past 6 years, the WASB (Wisconsin Association of School Boards) Policy and Resolutions Committee for 4 years, a Delegate for the Annual Meetings for years and on the SDBAB (School District Boundary Appeal Board) for 1 year.

Why do you want to serve on the School Board?

I would like to keep serving on the Board of Control to ensure the School keeps it identity and to continue listening to the community concerns and working to address them in the most appropriate way there is.

What do you think the biggest challenge facing the district over the course of the next 5 years will be?

There may be a few challenges. I think the biggest would be declining enrollment, as well as Teacher Retention.

What do you think the role of the school board should be in relation to administration and staff when it comes to making decisions regarding school projects, improvements and personnel?

I feel the Board should be informed of projects that are being done in the School. The Administrator along with the head custodian make a list of projects needed to be done and have a budget to go with it. Some things can be done before others. As for the hiring, I feel the Board should be involved. One member of the Board should be on the interview committee and the Administrator should keep the Board informed of any situations that come up regarding the school.

What can the school district do within budgetary limitations to attract and retain quality educators and staff?

The Board of Control gets a weekly communication letter from Mr. Leipart that includes a School District of Gilman Community Agreement. Some statements that are included are we embrace mutual respect and positive intent in our interactions and communications, we contribute our individual talents and strengths to our learning community, we honor each other’s distinctive voices, experiences, and backgrounds and we provide a safe and inclusive physical, social, and emotional environment in our school. The agreement also includes Talents and Strengths, Values, Thriving Creativity, Growth Mindset and Leadership of the district. This is something that needs to be addressed and really followed through with. Everyone must work as a team and feel like they are valued at our School if we want to attract and retain quality educators and staff.

Lauren Zach

I am originally from Minnesota but married my husband who was born and raised in Jump River and moved to the area in 2013. We have three kids, two of them are currently in school, one in 4K and one in Kindergarten, our son will start in a few years. My background has always been working with children and families, looking at the family as a whole and showing how supporting the whole family benefits children in so many ways. I have my Masters in Human Services – Family Studies and Interventions and have spent the last 10 years working in the non-profit sector helping families find the resources and guidance they need to succeed and helping to ensure children have a safe place at school and in their homes. I am a trained parent educator and love going into homes and helping people with their parenting challenges and seeing people learn and grow in front of you.

Why do you want to serve on School Board?

I want to be a part of something that impacts my children and the community. My girls have just started school and my son will soon and I want to be a voice for them from the start. I know the struggles that parents go through with kids and in life and I think that with my budgetary and board experience, I can help be the voice for both sides of issues.

What do you think biggest challenge facing the district over the course of the next 5 years will be?

Childcare and wages in order to keep staff, this isn’t something specific to Gilman but in schools all over the State. I have been in correspondence with many schools within Taylor County and outside of it and it’s always the same issue. Having housing nearby for staff is also something that has been an on-going issue in this area What do you think the role of the school board should be in relation to administration and staff when it comes to making decisions regarding school projects, improvements and personnel?

I think it is important to have outside suggestions and ideas. At the end of the day, there are rules and regulations you need to stick by, and you can only do so much when you are on a budget, but it’s important to have fresh eyes and fresh ideas in the mix who aren’t living those issues every day who can help think outside the box and help bring in a parents perspective as well.

What can school district do within budgetary limitations to attract and retain quality educators and staff?

I think everyone wishes we could say “pay them more” as teaching staff deserve, but when you are limited by a budget that isn’t always a valid solution. Having worked in a non-profit field I am also not one who ever expects to get rich off of what I am doing but the fact that I do feel validated at work and that I’m making a difference is what has kept me around. I believe that morale and giving staff a voice is key in keeping staff and keeping a team of people together who respect each other and the work that they do, which in turn has a positive effect on the children and the community.

Derrick Romig

My name is Derrick Romig. I am lifelong member of the Gilman community, a journeyman plumber for Romigs Hardware, Assistant Chief for the Gilman Fire Department, and a committee member of the Village of Gilman tree board.

I would love to serve for you on the school board because there are things happening at the school that I feel need to be addressed. Some of the things I feel that need to be addressed are why we cannot retain young teachers for more than a few years, and why great teachers that live locally and that have taught in the school district have left the district to teach in other school districts.

The biggest challenge over the next five years facing the district is declining enrollment. I believe decisions regarding school projects, improvements, and personnel should be the job of the school board and administration can request the board for direction.

The best thing the school district can do within budgetary limitations to attract and retain quality educators and staff is keep a good relationship with the school staff and educators.

Note: Due to a technology mix-up only one of the profiles appeared in last week’s issue. Here are all three of the profiles. Voters will select two of the candidates.

Lauren Zach and herfamily

Derrick Romig