Pierce County voters will once again head to the polls April 1, 2025 to cast their ballots for important local village board, city council, town board and school board elections. One school district, …
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Pierce County voters will once again head to the polls April 1, 2025 to cast their ballots for important local village board, city council, town board and school board elections. One school district, Spring Valley, will ask voters to consider two referendum questions related to facilities and maintenance expenses.
Local races have a crucial role in shaping the lives of citizens. They determine the leadership and policies that govern schools and communities. Those elected make decisions on education, public safety, infrastructure, services, and what to do with taxpayers’ money. Serving in a public office role is often a thankless task that involves hours of discussions, research, presentations and meetings.
The Pierce County Journal sent questionnaires to candidates in local races. The hope is their answers will allow voters to get to know them a bit, what they stand for and how they would approach these roles if elected. Incumbents are marked with an asterisk*.
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Spring Valley School Board has three open seats this election, with five people on the ballot, none of whom are incumbents. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Voters will also be asked to consider two referendum questions. Those are listed at the bottom.
Did not respond
Town of residence: Elmwood
Occupation/profession: Administrative Assistant - Sacred Heart churches in Spring Valley and Elmwood
Prior elected office: Spring Valley School Board 1997-2006
Do you have children who attend the school district? Have they graduated? Our four children all graduated from Spring Valley along with myself and my husband Craig.
Community/civic activities: When our children, Kay, Celia, Rick and Erin were attending school in Spring Valley, from 1991 to 2010, I volunteered in the elementary schools, was president of the SV elementary parent's club for many years, chaired the post prom committee and helped out for another five years. I was an active member and leader of the Olivet Otters 4-H club for 40 years and served on numerous Pierce County 4-H committees. I have been a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus parish since 1967 and have served in many leadership roles over the past 30 years.
Why are you running for school board? What are your priorities? I had a couple of people ask to me to consider running for school board last Fall. Since I had served on the Spring Valley School Board previously for eight years and my involvement with the Spring Valley task force from September 2024 until January 2025, I believe I am needed again, to serve on the board and to speak up and question what is or may not be, getting done with our buildings along with providing the best education of our students. My number one priority is "Why has our high school not been taken care of over the past 20 years?" Instead of waiting 20 years to "fix/update" our mechanical and electrical infrastructure all at once? I believe buildings need to be kept up on a yearly basis and repairs included in the budget and followed through with. I will hold administration accountable and hope to get our district "back on track" while working with the other six board members.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the school district? The biggest challenge is keeping our school district financially responsible. We currently have a savings of over $4 million, in Fund 10, which I credit to past boards and superintendents. I question why this money was not spent to make needed updates over the past few years? Districts can hire consulting firms to come and in tell them what they need to do to make our schools great, but it is ultimately up to the school board to decide what is best for a safe learning environment for our students and teachers.
What skills/experiences have prepared you for this role? Past experience on the Spring Valley School Board along with working with my husband for over 35 years, on our family dairy farm, in El Paso township. I certainly know that not all years show a profit, but with careful planning, you can run a successful business, or school district.
What do you see as the primary work of the school board? Is there anything you wish the public understood better? The primary work of the school board is to oversee administration, fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers and provide a safe environment to our students while obtaining the best education possible for them. I wish more people would attend school board meetings and ask questions. Never be afraid to question what someone tells you.
What is the best way to address differences of opinion on the board or between the board/administration/the public? Good conversation is great! Everyone has different opinions, but when working for a greater cause, it is okay sometimes to agree to disagree.
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 members pay property taxes also. Unfortunately, federal, state, county and local taxes are what fund our school districts. I am grateful for the people living in the Spring Valley School District for their past support in 1996 for the referendum to build the high school and in 2021 to build the new elementary school. In the past 40 years, with the exception in 2023, the Spring Valley School Board had never asked the taxpayers for extra money to help fund the yearly budget. Taxpayers need to remember that their property taxes not only fund their local school, but fund their township, county, state and federal budgets.
How can people contact you? Spring Valley School District taxpayers may call my home phone at 715-639-2630 if they have any questions.
Did not respond
Town of residence: Spring Valley
Occupation: Pierce County Community Behavioral Health Manager
Prior elected office: No prior office held.
Do you have children who attend the school district? Have they graduated? I do not currently have children attending in the district, but will have one child in 4k next year and my second child will attend in a few years.
Community/civic activities: I pride myself on being involved in my community. I am part of the Trinity Valley Lutheran Parish Council, a member of the Friends of the Spring Valley Library, and participate in the Spring Valley Library book club. In addition, I've volunteered with the Olivet Otters 4-H club in making fleece blankets for the Spring Valley Senior Living and Health Care Campus and Gillette's Children's Hospital.
Why are you running for school board? What are your priorities? I'm running for school board because I believe quality education is the foundation for success. I am committed to ensuring that every student has the resources, support, and opportunities to succeed. I believe in fostering a community where all students feel valued, seen, and heard, and where educators are given the respect, resources, and support they deserve to make a difference in the classroom.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the school district? Schools serve diverse communities with varying perspectives and balancing these differences while keeping the focus on student learning can be difficult. Education should be about preparing students for the future by fostering critical thinking, inclusivity, and a well-rounded understanding of the world. However, differing views on curriculum, policies, and social issues can sometimes create tension. It’s important to approach these challenges with respect, open dialogue, and a shared commitment to supporting students and teachers in a positive learning environment.
What skills/experiences have prepared you for this role? As a manager of several mental health programs, I have developed skills that directly align with the responsibilities of this role. Managing complex budgets has given me experience in financial oversight and ensuring resources are allocated effectively. My work engaging with boards and committees that include diverse perspectives has strengthened my ability to navigate differing opinions, foster collaboration, and find common ground. Additionally, my background in problem-solving, decision-making, and facilitating critical discussions has prepared me to approach challenges thoughtfully and work toward solutions that prioritize the well-being and success of students and educators.
What do you see as the primary work of the school board? Is there anything you wish the public understood better? The primary work of the school board is to support the education of students by ensuring that teachers have the resources, training, and support they need to be effective in the classroom. This includes making informed decisions about curriculum, policies, and budgeting that prioritize student learning and well-being. One thing I wish the public understood better is the complexity of the social issues that impact education. Schools do not exist in a vacuum—they reflect the broader challenges of society. Issues like mental health, economic disparities, and cultural differences all play a role in a student’s ability to learn. Addressing these challenges requires thoughtful, informed decision-making.
What is the best way to address differences of opinion on the board or between the board/administration/the public? The best way to address differences of opinion on the board, between the board and administration, or with the public is through open communication, mutual respect, and a genuine willingness to listen to different perspectives. It’s important to create an environment where all voices are heard and considered, even when there are disagreements. By focusing on shared goals—such as supporting students and educators—we can find common ground and work toward solutions that benefit the entire school community. Constructive dialogue and a commitment to collaboration are key to making thoughtful, informed decisions.
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 must always operate in the best interest of students while being fiscally responsible whenever possible. Providing a quality education requires investing in teachers, resources, and programs that support student success. At the same time, it’s important to be mindful of the financial impact on taxpayers and ensure that funds are used efficiently and effectively. Thoughtful budgeting, exploring alternative funding sources, and prioritizing spending based on student needs help strike this balance. Open communication with the community is also key to maintaining transparency and trust in the decision-making process.
How can people contact you? Individuals who wish to speak to me, may email me at monica.l.shafer@gmail.com. Or, if you see me out in the community, feel free to stop me! I'm more than happy to chat with you!
Town of residence: Town of Eau Galle, Baldwin, School District of Spring Valley
Occupation: Clerk and Treasurer for the Town of Eau Galle, St. Croix County
Prior elected office: Clerk/treasurer for the Town of Eau Galle
Do you have children who attend the school district? Have they graduated? Yes, four. My oldest will graduate next year.
In what school district or community activities/organizations have you been involved? Volunteer youth sports coach, strategic planning committee, task force, Stagehands Theatre
Why are you running for school board? What are your priorities? After regularly attending school board meetings the last four-plus years, I felt the pull to be a member of the board this election cycle. With so much uncertainty happening in our world today, I feel that my clear minded and logical thinking can be beneficial as a school board member. I have a strong commitment to ensuring our schools provide the best possible environment for learning, growth, and development. I believe in the power of education to shape the future, and that starts with creating a strong foundation within our schools. Whether through supporting teachers, listening to parents and community members, or advocating for programs that help every student succeed, I am committed to bringing a fresh perspective to the Spring Valley School Board.
What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the school district? Like many school districts, funding is a challenge. This affects everything from teacher salaries to the availability of learning materials to extracurricular programs and more. Figuring out ways to adequately use the funding we have is extremely important.
What skills/experiences have prepared you for this role? I’ve developed really great people skills through my various careers. I’m huge on communication and having conversations even if it’s on hard to talk about topics. Currently, I serve as a town clerk and treasurer. Through this position I have learned valuable skills in working with board members, conducting monthly meetings, communicating with town residents, computing tax dollar numbers, and so much more!
What do you see as the primary work of the school board? Is there anything you wish the public understood better? Being a school board member is a thankless job. This is something I didn’t realize until I started attending meetings. The board members do a lot of work to make decisions (sometimes really hard decisions) behind the scenes. I wish the public would attend more meetings to be aware of the goings on and that it honestly takes a lot more work than what it seems. In most cases, board members are doing the best job they can!
What is the best way to address differences of opinion on the board or between the board/administration/the public? Communication is key in almost all situations. Having conversations about what pertains to the best interest of the school, staff and students is what I feel is very important to address differences of opinion.
How does a school board balance the need to provide a quality education with the need to respond to the local taxpayer burden? Great question-as it is one of the most delicate tasks a school board faces. Ultimately, the board’s role is to make decisions that balance the community’s fiscal concerns with the long-term goal of ensuring that students receive a quality education. The school board also needs to consider the future implications of current spending, managing debt responsibility, and planning for changes in enrollment or revenue.
How can people contact you? Visit my Facebook page, Stephanie J. Supri for Spring Valley School Board or email me at stephanieforsvschools@gmail.com
Voters will be asked to consider voting yes or no on the following two questions:
QUESTION NUMBER 1: Shall the School District of Spring Valley, Pierce, St. Croix and Dunn Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,800,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: remodeling and capital maintenance improvements at the Middle/High School; district-wide infrastructure, safety, security, accessibility and site improvements; construction of a transportation building; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?
QUESTION NUMBER 2: Shall the School District of Spring Valley, Pierce, St. Croix and Dunn Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $3,350,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of: construction of a track and field facility and site improvements at the Middle/High School campus; swimming pool improvements; related safety, security and accessibility improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?
