Clintonville school board election

CLINTONVILLE –In what started as seven candidates vying for two seats on the Clintonville Board of Education, four will face-off on the April 1 ballot of the spring election.
Board members up for reelection include Laurie Vollrath and Mark Zachow. They are being challenged by David Battenberg and Christopher Hoffmann.
The Clintonville Tribune-Gazette introduced the candidates to voters in the Feb. 6 issue, as they answered several questions regarding the Clintonville School District. In an effort to provide voters with as much information about the candidates as possible prior to the election, each of the remaining four candidates were sent two additional questions to answer. Their answers are listed below.

The district has a lot of long-term financial issues coming up. Without referring to other candidates in your answer, why are you the best candidate to help plan the school district’s long-term financial future?

• David Battenberg: The Clintonville School District not only funds the district’s schools, it also funds a community day-care and rec center. This poses special challenges. The school funding is driven by student numbers and the Wisconsin school funding formula. This formula has a statute induced cap. This cap often doesn’t allow schools to keep up with the cost of education and forces the district to consider an operational referendum. An operational referendum doesn’t necessarily increase property taxes. I have been involved with operational referendums in Tigerton and Bonduel as an administrator and a teacher, so I am confident in my ability to consider the positives and negatives of them. Community facilities like the day-care and rec center are funded through Fund 80 which is a separate tax process. Clintonville’s day-care and rec center are integral to the functioning and quality of life for the local community. Because of this, I believe the funding of these important programs is best determined through a process which includes the school board and the leadership of the city and townships they serve. My experience working with schools and municipalities will help develop this long-term plan.

• Christopher Hoffmann: I have sales project management experience, which brings valuable experience in budgeting, forecasting, and managing resources efficiently. These skills directly transfer to helping plan the school district’s long-term financial future. I have a proven track record of managing complex budgets, ensuring financial goals are met while maximizing available resources. I’m skilled at analyzing data, identifying trends, and making decisions based on solid financial insights. This will be crucial when addressing the district’s financial challenges. Additionally, my experience in project management has enhanced my ability to prioritize and allocate resources effectively, ensuring that funds are used where they’ll have the most impact. I am experienced in identifying potential risks and finding solutions to mitigate them, which is essential for long-term financial sustainability. I understand the importance of balancing short-term needs with long-term goals. I also have strong communication and collaboration skills, which would help me engage staff, parents, and the community. This is crucial to develop and adhere to sound financial strategies. Ultimately, my goal would be to help ensure that the district’s financial decisions are well-informed, transparent, and aligned with the needs of students and the community.

• Laurie Vollrath: Being on the board for seven years, I have a pretty good idea on how the school finances work. We were very fortunate that some big items were covered with the last referendum. We have hired CESA to help with the business operations of the district. Going forward we need to have a priority list with needs versus wants. Doing this should involve community stakeholders. Just like other districts in our area, eventually we may have to have an operational referendum, which should also include a community focus group. I am ok with that, but like the last referendum, I do not want to raise taxes.

• Mark Zachow: Incumbent school board members have the knowledge and experience to understand an annual budget. It’s very important to keep spending within the yearly approved budgeted amount.School districts don’t find out their yearly per student aid from the state until the fall, when districts need to determine the upcoming year’s budget. Our district also needs to becomemore competitive with other area school districts with our employee compensation. This is a very important issue to our district, so we don’t lose valuable employees to other districts.Being on the board for nine years, I understand the history of the district’s financial decisions. This will help in making the correct upcoming budget decisions.

If you are elected to the board, how do you see your role on the board as important and controversial issues come before the board?

• Battenberg:The Clintonville School Board is made up of seven members who represent the people of the school district. I believe it is a board member’s role to listen to the constituents and bring these views to the board. I also believe it is my role to share my educational experiences with the board. During board discussion it is my role to be a listener first. I’ve learned through experience it is important to first seek to understand, then be understood. It is my role to always be prepared by reading the board documents and asking for clarity before and during meetings. During board discussion it is my role to share my thoughts and ideas in a thoughtful, focused manner. I want my fellow board members to focus on my ideas, just as I will focus on theirs. When the vote is over, it is my role to ensure that the board stays positive and professional. I believe the school board’s consistent message to the district must be: We sometimes agree, we sometimes disagree, but we respect each other and will continue to make the best decisions we can for the district. 

• Hoffmann: My role would be to bring a solution oriented, collaborative approach to even the most contentious issues. I’m accustomed to handling differing opinions and navigating complex challenges to find common ground. As strong opinions emerge on difficult topics, I believe it’s important to promote respectful, solution driven discussions with all members. I would guide conversations toward productive outcomes with an emphasis on student success and community needs. I understand that conflict is often a part of decision-making on important and controversial issues. My ability to manage multiple stakeholders, balance competing priorities, deescalate tensions, and maintain focus on the big picture would help the board make informed, balanced decisions. My goal would be to turn disagreements into opportunities for growth and progress, ensuring that despite differing views, we remain united in our commitment to educational excellence.

• Vollrath: I offer a very diverse perspective. I have adult children that graduated from Clintonville, as well as two children that currently attend Clintonville Public School. I am a volunteer with several community organizations. I believe in service over self. I realize that one board member cannot make decisions, it has to be the board as a whole or a majority. I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and beliefs. But at the end of the day decisions should be made with the best interest of the entire district and community in mind.

• Zachow: As a member of the board for the past nine years, I have the experience that will help understand controversial issues that come before the board. I am also a person, who if I don’tunderstand, is not afraid to ask questions. I’ve been involved in numerous difficult conversations over the years, and I feel I have always done what’s in the best interest of thedistrict, students and taxpayers. As a lifelong member of living and serving in this community, my passion will always be to continue to make moral and ethical decisions for the betterment of the schools and the community.