Four candidates are competing for two seats on the Oconto Falls School Board: incumbents James Spang and Jan Stranz, and challengers Stephanie Wijas and Duane Rogatzki. The election is April 1.
Here are the candidates’ profiles.
James Spang
Age: 51; 17 years in the district
School-aged children: None. Two adult children are graduates of Oconto Falls High School
Education: Gillett High School graduate, associate’s degree in facility management
Employment: Plant facilities manager at Krueger International (KI) in Bonduel
Experience: “I am currently on the Oconto Falls School Board finishing my first three-year term. I also have over 30 years of experience in facilities and business management.”
Statement: “With the recent cuts from the state, budgeting still seems to be one of the biggest issues at the Oconto Falls School District. While we have a responsibility to the taxpayers to look at all options, we also need to consider the impact to the students, staff and the community. Slightly declining enrollment is also a concern, and we need to inform the public of the opportunities at Oconto Falls School District to attract incoming open enrollment.”
Stephanie (Leanna) Wijas
Age: 29; lifetime resident of the district
School-aged children: Three children ages 6, 7 and 8 at Abrams Elementary School
Education: Oconto Falls High School graduate, 2002; full-time student working toward a degree in nursing and midwifery
Employment: Before returning to school, I owned and operated a family shoe store in Green Bay.
Experience: “I served on the Oconto Falls Preschool board of directors for four years as the treasurer and president. I have served on the Abrams CPTO for the last two years and am the current president.”
Statement: “I am just one mom representing all parents with children in our district. As parents, we are looking for information, friendliness, fairness and understanding. I want more parents of school-aged children involved in the prioritization of spending in our district. Spending beyond our means is not a fiscally responsible option. We need to make better decisions on how and where to spend our money. I would look at all different avenues for income and keep as many educational programs of value to the students.”
Jan Stranz
Age: 58; 29 years in the district
School-aged children: None. Two adult children are graduates of Oconto Falls High School
Education: McDonell Central High School graduate, Chippewa Falls; Bachelor of Arts and master’s degree in business administration, Lakeland College, Sheboygan
Employment: Vice president-member services, Oconto Electric Cooperative, Oconto Falls
Experience: “I’ve actively participated on the Oconto Falls School Board for nine years, the last few years as vice president. I also serve on the Oconto County Economic Development Corporation Board, the St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish Council, and the Community Memorial Hospital Board. I am an active Oconto Falls FFA Alumni member and an Oconto County 4-H leader.”
Statement: “There are divergent opinions about how public education should be funded and how school accountability should be measured. While these topics are debated and scrutinized, I will continue to focus on the educational needs of students and will advocate for programs and policies that enhance their educational experience. Quality education is achieved because great teachers are in the classrooms. I support practices designed to retain and attract high quality educators.”
Duane Rogatzki
Age: 64; 40 years in the district
School-aged children: None. Three adult children are graduates of Oconto Falls High School
Education: Antigo High School graduate; Bachelor of Science degree from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; master’s degree from St. Scholastica
Employment: Retired math and science teacher
Experience: “Ran an overnight camp for kids; owned and operated a stable; former president of teachers union; taught leadership classes; head coach; assist in running the WFCA All-Star Football Game in Oshkosh, being responsible for everything that goes on at Oshkosh during the week of practice, which includes budget. I taught for 40 years, so I understand education and how the system works. I think I can use this experience to help save money and still improve the education of our students.”
Statement: “Building morale, hiring practices or philosophy, and how to get the best education that we can for our students on a limited budget: To do this we will have to change some attitudes, some past practices and some board policies.”
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