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with all people. I have effective communication skills and understand that in order to make change you need to be willing to listen to all sides. I have experience in education budgeting, having been the director of a large daycare for 14 years. Organization is one of my many strengths. In short, you will find that I am realistic, committed, dedicated, organized, and an effective communicator.

In what school district or community activities/ organizations have you been involved? _ As a resident of Spring Valley, I have coordinated the summer youth softball program since 2015 and coached summer softball since 2010. I served on Church Council for four years at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and helped organize numerous events at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Are you running with an organized slate of candidates? No What do you see as the primary work of the school board? I see the school board being the voice of the people within the district. The school board can help advocate for the needs of the district.

What is a school board member’s role and responsibility? How does that role differ from the role of the superintendent or administration? The role of the school board member is to assist the superintendent and administration in making sound decisions for the good of all. The superintendent and administration are taxed with making sure the budget is met and that resources are being utilized.

What attributes and behaviors are essentials for school board members? I believe you must have excellent communication skills, be an active listener to the issues faced with, and tackle each issue with realistic solutions. You also need to keep an open mind.

What is the best way to address differences of opinion on the board or between the board and administration? I think it is important to hear all sides of the issue at hand. I don’t believe that I should try to change any person’s opinion on an issue. Each person is entitled to their opinion on an issue. It is up to each person to bring forth the facts, show support or data on why something will or won’t work, and make the decision based on that.

Could you support a board decision you did not vote in favor of? Why or why not? I could support a decision I was not in favor of. I have learned that I don’t have to give up my passion for something because someone else didn’t agree with me. I value the decisions that are made because it was made by a team effort. I can support those decisions even if I didn’t vote in favor of it.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? One thing I would like to see Spring Valley School Board work towards is community involvement and support. The more transparent the School Board is should help bridge the gap between the community and school support. For example, if I am elected to the Spring Valley School Board, I would love to see our district participate in the Youth Apprenticeship program. This program involves the support of local businesses and our high school students. This is one example of how the school can stay connected to our local businesses. The more businesses are invested in the greater good of our district, the better the outcome for our community and our school.

Why should you be elected to the school board? _ I have worked in education for the past 20 years and see the value in meeting children where they are and preparing them for life after high school. I feel passionate about preparing our high schoolers to enter the workforce, technical colleges, and four-year universities. I would like to see the Spring Valley School District start to offer more transcripted credit classes and youth apprenticeship opportunities for our high school students and more opportunities for middle school students to explore interests beyond what is currently being offered. I think it’s more important now than ever before, to listen to the needs of our teachers and staff. Teachers are feeling burned out and spread too thin. As a district, we need to find ways to ensure our teachers are supported and appreciated. Looking ahead, we need to find creative ways to ensure that this continues, beyond the pandemic.

What differentiates you from the others candidates or board members? _ I don’t know enough about the other candidates to give great detail. I will tell you that if I am voted on the board, you will get someone who listens to the needs being brought forward. You will get someone with compassion and understanding, someone who isn’t afraid to speak up, and someone who is determined to make Spring Valley a leader in the area of education.

April Robelia* Occupation: _ Human resources Previous elected offices: Spring Valley School Board member, school board vice president, current school board president Do you have children who attend the school district (or have they graduated?) I currently have a sophomore and a fourth grader.

Why are you running for school board? If elected, what will be your priorities? I am currently the incumbent President. My priorities will be to continue making sure the students are the focus of all decisions and committing to academic excellence and personal growth of students, staff, parents and community members. Not only this, but to make sure students are continuing to thrive in a safe environment that is also innovative to maintain and grow to their fullest potentials. I truly believe communication and cooperation between our school and local businesses, private and public agencies, and the entire community is an integral component of the educational process.

Is there a particular issue(s) that motivates you to serve on the school board? My kids and all kids are my motivation to continue to serve on the school board. I am motivated by making sure we are creating an environment that is student-focused and having high expectations. Also that students, parents, staff, and community members are empowered, supported and held accountable for their role in the education process.

What specific skills and/or experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? I have served one term, three years, on the current school board. Starting as a board member, to the Vice President, and currently the President, have shown the current board the leader that I am and how these experiences have prepared me to continue to be on the school board.

In what school district or community activities/ organizations have you been involved? _ Currently my kids are very active within the school district, which in turns keeps me very involved. From sports to extracurriculars you have already seen me be involved in all the activities my kids want to be part of.

Are you running with an organized slate of candidates? No What do you see as the primary work of the school board? The primary work of the school board is to continue working through the strategic plan that all of us will be a part of.

Why should you be elected to the school board? _ I believe I should be re-elected to the school board because I am proud to be a part of this district. There has been a lot of great changes and challenges in the past three years that keeps continuing to make the SDSV great. I have been a part of the process in hiring a new superintendent, building and operating in a new elementary school and creating our new strategic plan. Not to mention working through the most current COVID rules and guidelines.

What differentiates you from the others candidates or board members? _ My commitment for the last three years has been to the students, staff and the community. I have done this with pride, integrity and treating others with dignity and courtesy at all times. I will continue to do this for many years to come.

Dan Stasiek Occupation: Information Systems Administrator – Western Wisconsin Health (Baldwin) Previous elected offices: None Do you have children who attend the school district (or have they graduated?) _ Yes. I have two children currently attending the Spring Valley School District.

Why are you running for school board? If elected, what will be your priorities? I have been involved in the SV school district for almost 20 years. It is exciting to have the opportunity to support the continuing growth of the school system and community. The students, faculty/ staff, and community are my priorities.

Is there a particular issue(s) that motivates you to serve on the school board? _ There isn’t a particular issue. The motivation is to help continue supporting the ever-changing educational landscape.

What specific skills and/or experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? _ In my professional career, I have held managerial roles that have provided me the ability to gain a multitude of knowledge and skills.

In what school district or community activities/ organizations have you been involved? _ *SVHS Girls Varsity Basketball Coach – 8 years *SVMS Boys Basketball Coach – 3 years *Basketball referee (all levels) – 10 years to present *Football clock worker – 3 years to present Volunteer Work: *Traveling boys basketball & baseball coach – 8 years *Elem School classroom volunteer *Was “Footie” the school mascot – 3 times *IT volunteer assistant *Involved in two Spring Valley Stagehands productions (Joseph and the TDC and Grease) *Currently do the livestream play by play for the boys basketball home games Are you running with an organized slate of candidates? No What do you see as the primary work of the school board? To support the voices of the students, faculty/staff, and community What is a school board member’s role and responsibility? How does that role differ from the role of the superintendent or administration? The school board’s job is to make sure the district is run well. The school board sets strategic planning and the superintendent carries out the plans of the school board.

What attributes and behaviors are essentials for school board members? Honesty, transparency, good listening skills What is the best way to address differences of opinion on the board or between the board and administration? Work together collaboratively and respectfully. Identify the problem, list the options, and discuss the consequences of each of the options until an agreed upon solution is reached.

Could you support a board decision you did not vote in favor of? Why or why not? Yes. The school board is a team. If the majority of the board votes for something I’m not in favor of, I can respectfully support the decision.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? The school board looks to prioritize, be transparent about resource utilization and the management of taxpayer dollars.

Why should you be elected to the school board? My goal is to represent the collective voices of all the students, faculty/staff, and the community.

What differentiates you from the others candidates or board members? I have been involved in several different facets of the community and school.

Monica Vorlicek Occupation: Licensed daycare provider Previous election positions: I have never been in an elected position before.

Do you have children who attend the school district (or have they graduated?) I have a son who graduated in 2016 and currently have a child in each of the three sections of Spring Valley Schools.

Why are you running for school board? If elected, what will be your priorities? _ I am interested in learning more about the process of how the school board works. In my observations I wish I saw more transparency on decisions and process, empowering parents, teachers and students, accountability and fiscal responsibility, and continued academic excellence and growth.

Is there a particular issue(s) that motivates you to serve on the school board? _ I would like to see the school following through with the Strategic Plan that was done by school employees and Spring Valley community. This began in September 2021 and included the following: employee and community surveys; employee and community listening sessions. This is a continued five-year plan with development and dissemination; plan implementation; reporting on plan progress; and plan adjustments based on feedback.

What specific skills and/or experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? _ I believe in having strong relationships with families. In my everyday job, working with parents and their children is my focus yet without full openness to communication my job would be very difficult to do. I am a bonus to the family team as it does take a village to raise our children.

In what school district or community activities/ organizations have you been involved? I was going to the Parents Club meetings years ago but my life journey took me on a different path that needed me on those Tuesday nights. I still support the Club by attending activities put on by them and donations to fundraisers.

Are you running with an organized slate of candidates? Yes Why should you be elected to the school board? I wish to represent my community with support for teachers, staff, and students. Through public discourse and written reports, I would like to keep our board members accountable with keeping the public informed of the district’s progress and challenges.

What differentiates you from the others candidates or board members? I’m not sure what differentiates me from the others? I would wish to believe we all want the same thing, a positive place for our children to learn and grow as they age through their school years in a safe, uplifting environment.

Brian T. Wang* Occupation: Retired dairy farmer Previous elected offices: Spring Valley School Board

Do you have children who attend the school district (or have they graduated?) Three adult children, all who graduated from Spring Valley.

Why are you running for school board? If elected, what will be your priorities? To be part of a progressive and forward-thinking board Is there a particular issue(s) that motivates you to serve on the school board? None What specific skills and/or experiences have prepared you to serve as a board member? My past tenure on the board In what school district or community activities/ organizations have you been involved? Spring Valley Education Foundation Are you running with an organized slate of candidates? _ No What do you see as the primary work of the school board? Oversee the administration team and be sure the kids are getting the best education possible.

What is a school board member’s role and responsibility? How does that role differ from the role of the superintendent or administration? It’s the administration team’s job to run the school district and the board’s job to see that it’s done right.

What attributes and behaviors are essentials for school board members? That we all work together for the best interests of the students.

What is the best way to address differences of opinion on the board or between the board and administration? Discussion from all viewpoints Could you support a board decision you did not vote in favor of? Why or why not? Yes, if the majority decide a solution, we all have to support that choice.

How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? The board must work in the best interests of all involved.

Why should you be elected to the school board? I would like to give back to the community with my previous experience on the board What differentiates you from the others candidates or board members? Just my experience and a different generation’s viewpoint