Rothmann Wrong

Rothmann Wrong,

To The Journal,

At our recent school board forum Terry Rothmann said “what goes on in closed door sessions of the Stevens Point School Board is none of my business, I am not an elected official”  in response to a question from our panel about transparency at the school board meetings.  This is the lack of transparency that Terry Rothmann hopes to bring (or more accurately, keep) in our school board.  The closed door sessions that on occasion need to be convened are to discuss business, not make decisions behind closed doors without input from other concerned parties. 

Another reason for the withholding of our endorsement was Mr. Rothmann’s response to the question, “What do you think the school district can do to curb harassment and bullying?” Mr. Rothmann’s response was that people are making a bigger deal out of bullying and harassment than the problem merits.  Our stance is that even one child who is victimized is too many.  If you have a child who is the victim of bullying, how would you like to be confronted with this logic?  It flies directly in the face of his very own “Civility Project” (www.cfcwi.org/speakyourpeace) which, by the way, he could not reference, quote, or even remember when asked the specifics about. This is tantamount to blaming the victims, and the victims in this case are the students of our school district.

We need school board members who will respect everyone who plays a role in educating the next generation and operates with fairness and transparency.  That’s why We Are Central Wisconsin has endorsed Dr. Dwight Stevens, Lisa Totten, Kim Shirek, and Sam Levin for the Stevens Point Area School Board.

Rob Golla

Chairman,

We Are Central Wisconsin

Stevens Point Wisconsin School Board Endorsements

We Are Central Wisconsin’s

Endorsements

for the

Stevens Point School Board

Spring 2013 Election

We Are Central Wisconsin is proud to endorse the following candidates for the Stevens Point School Board.  We have heard back from those who are interested in serving our students through this very important position and feel these are the best candidates to promote a healthy environment in which to teach our children. Keep in mind that teachers working conditions are synonymous with students learning conditions.

Dr. Dwight Stevens in the past has served as superintendent of the Stevens Point School Board for more than a decade.  He served by helping subsequent superintendents for years following his departure. He is currently acting as the President of the Stevens Point School Board.  His knowledge and experience are valuable assets to the current board.  He has served as the Deputy State Superintendent for the State of Wisconsin and during that time helped to negotiate a peaceful, mutually acceptable resolution to the states largest teachers strike in Racine in 1977.  Please WRITE IN Dr. Dwight Stevens for Stevens Point School Board

Lisa Totten is currently serving on the Stevens Point School Board and has been a voice for parents, teachers, and the general public.  Her stance on keeping the School Board accountable to the voting public of the Stevens Point School District goes beyond just words. She is a champion of the idea of transparency and hopes to continue to fight for transparency at the school board level.

Sam Levin is currently serving as a County Board Supervisor and a Trustee for the Village of Whiting.  Mr. Levin hopes to reinstate monthly meetings between the administration and teacher representatives saying that “the more information available to all concerned will benefit the educational process in this area”

Kim Shirek is your voice on the Stevens Point School Board.  She is a proud mother of 3 who says; “I do not have a P.H.D. after my name but I have a MOM after my name”   She has fought hard for common sense solutions to the problems plaguing our school board.  Kim has strived for open, honest, respectful communication between staff, students, and the community.  She realizes that good employees want to contribute and help, but when treated poorly, those same employees will shut down or worse, seek employment elsewhere.  “Healthy dialog will help our district run smoothly.”   

We Are Central Wisconsin is a grass roots organization dedicated to bettering Portage County and the surrounding areas through the education of the voting public on issues pertaining to the middle class, working Americans, and holding elected officials accountable for the votes they cast. Please consider our endorsements for the Stevens Point School Board elections on April 2^nd 2013.