Four candidates seek two school board seats

CLINTONVILLE – Four candidates will be competing for two seats on the Clintonville Board of Education on the April 7 ballot of the spring election.
Board members up for reelection include Glen Drew Lundt and Jason Moder. They are being challenged by Laurie Vollrath, who has been a member of the board in the past, and David Battenberg.
To provide voters with as much information about the candidates as possible prior to the election, the Clintonville Tribune-Gazette sent the same questions about issues concerning the district for them to answer. The questions and their answers are listed below.

Why do you want to be a member or remain a member of the Clintonville School Board?
David Battenberg: I recently retired from a 36-year career in education, so I can properly serve the time commitments of a board member. I have been involved with all the issues that face districts over my career, so I can help the district make informed decisions. The Clintonville community has been my home for 30 years, has given me and my family countless educational, professional, and personal opportunities. It’s time for me to give something back to the community.

Glen Drew Lundt: I want to continue what I’ve started. Over the past few years, I’ve been a steady voice for accountability, asking tough questions, expecting clear answers, and doing the research needed to make informed decisions. I’ve provided thoughtful input and have been an integral part of the positive changes our district has achieved. I want to keep the focus where it belongs: transparency, fiscal responsibility, student success, and common-sense policies that reflect community values.
Jason Moder: I want to continue serving because I care deeply about the future of our schools and community. As a lifelong resident of the Clintonville School District, I am proud to call this community home. Over the past three years on the board, I have focused on asking the hard questions and making decisions that strengthen the district for the long term. Our schools are a vital part of our community, and I want to continue working to ensure students receive a quality education and have opportunities that prepare them for success.
Laurie Vollrath: I want to be a member of the school board because important decisions are being made about our community and our kids. I offer a very diverse perspective. Being a former board member, I don’t have a learning curve regarding how a school board works. In addition, I have children who have graduated from Clintonville Public School, two children who are currently in school, and a grandchild in the Clintonville School District. I also have experience with supporting students who need extra help or who have special needs.

What are your qualifications to serve on the Clintonville School Board?
Battenberg: I was an agriculture teacher for 16 years and an educational administrator for 20 years, so I understand the issues that face teachers and administrators. I was the Clintonville athletic director for five years and worked at the Clintonville Rec Center for three years, so I understand the issues that face the athletic department and Rec Center. I have lived on a small farm in the Town of Larrabee for 30 years, so I understand the issues that face rural, property tax paying landowners.

Lundt: I bring four years of school board experience, including working through difficult budgeting decisions and district challenges. I understand board governance, district operations, and how decisions impact students, staff, and taxpayers. I’ve consistently shown up prepared, asked detailed questions, and pushed for clear information before major votes. I want to continue applying that experience to help the district improve outcomes, maintain fiscal discipline, and rebuild trust through transparent leadership.
Moder: I bring practical experience and a strong work ethic to the board. I am a construction manager, business owner, and lifelong farmer, which has taught me the importance of budgeting, planning, and accountability. I have served on the Clintonville School Board for the past three years and the last two as board treasurer. I am also a lifelong resident of the district and spent time as a football coach, which allowed me to work closely with students and understand the importance of teamwork, leadership, and strong community support in helping young people succeed.
Vollrath: First and foremost, I am a mom. But this is not only about making decisions for my children in the public school but for ALL kids. I was previously on the board for six and a half years serving as the clerk, treasurer, and vice president. I can make decisions in the best interest of the students, staff, and community. I don’t let my personal views hinder my judgement on any topic. I have morals and ethics and doing the right thing is always the right thing to do, therefore I do what is best for kids and taxpayers.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the Clintonville School District, and how would you try to fix that issue?
Battenberg: The biggest immediate issue is funding. The outcome of the referendum will cause the school board to make long-term financial decisions for the district. Whether the referendum passes or fails, I am confident in my ability to help make quality educational decisions for the district. The biggest long-term issue is staff retention. The district must figure out how it can attract, develop, and retain staff. High turnover is detrimental to quality education.

Lundt: The biggest issue is restoring trust while improving financial stability. That requires transparency, accountability, and a focus on core priorities. I would push for clear goals tied to spending, stronger financial oversight, and clear budget reporting taxpayers can understand. I also believe the board must stay focused on academics and results, not distractions or ideology. When decisions are clear, measurable, and openly communicated, we can rebuild confidence and make sustainable progress.
Moder: One of the biggest issues facing the district is maintaining long-term financial stability while continuing to provide strong educational opportunities. Costs continue to rise while school funding remains limited. Addressing this requires responsible budgeting, careful planning, and open communication with the community. The board must continue reviewing spending, asking tough questions, and making thoughtful decisions that protect educational programs while keeping the district financially stable and focused on student success.
Vollrath: I think one of several big issues in our school district is that we have a large number of differently abled students. It costs money to meet the needs of all students. I think we lack support in this area. Our district needs to start giving more support for all teachers and learners, but especially struggling learners, is where I think we fall short.

Do you support the $1.95 million operational referendum that the district is asking its residents to approve on the April 7 ballot? Explain why you support it or why you don’t support it.
Battenberg: I support the operational referendum. The present school board, with the help of Mr. Curran from CESA 8, has put together a referendum that supports the educational needs of the district, plans for future facility needs, and maximizes the money that the district can receive from the state in the form of state aid. The vast majority of school districts in Wisconsin get to the point where they must ask the community to support an operational referendum. It is now Clintonville’s opportunity to determine whether to support an operational referendum. This is the essence of “local control.”

Lundt: I believe education should be controlled locally by taxpayers, not dictated by the Federal government. Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s funding model often leaves districts relying on local operational referendums to maintain K–12 services, especially after exceeding state revenue limits. I’m not opposed to a referendum in principle, and taxpayers have supported the district in the past. My concern is trust and allocation. Past spending priorities like the daycare and rec center make it harder to ask for more without safeguards. If the referendum includes protections (board oversight on staffing, Fund 80 tax relief, and no Dellwood repair funding), I can fully support it.
Moder: Yes, I support the operational referendum. The funding would help stabilize the district’s finances and allow us to maintain important educational programs, staffing, and student opportunities. As board treasurer, I have worked to strengthen the district’s financial position, including helping rebuild the fund balance to above board policy after it had been below that level for a long time. The referendum would help us continue moving in the right direction while protecting the quality of education our students deserve.
Vollrath: Originally, I was on the fence about supporting the operational referendum. But after hearing the benefits of what it can do for our community and school district, I am a supporter. I think that if we want our school to maintain and support quality teachers and operate at high standards, we need to pass this referendum. If this referendum passes, the state will continue to aid our district and total school taxes will go down.

Trust with the district’s residents and with other board members has been brought up on several occasions recently. If you were elected to the board, what would you do to promote trust between the district and district residents, as well as trust between board members?
Battenberg: A school board must honestly debate issues, vote on the issue, and move forward. Personal conflicts between members may exist, but they can never be part of school board debate or decision making. As this election began, I reached out to all three of the other candidates and assured them that I would run a non-personal campaign that wouldn’t take comments and statements personally. I will conduct myself in the same manner as a school board member. Trust between board members will make a better functioning school board, and that will help develop trust between the district and residents.

Lundt: With taxpayers, I will continue to communicate clearly and directly: sharing the facts, my reasoning, and the outcomes of major decisions. Trust is built through transparency and follow-through. Within the board, trust improves when members stay professional, do the work, respect process, and focus on district priorities. I will continue to come prepared, ask tough but fair questions, and keep discussions centered on students, results, and responsible spending.
Moder: Trust is built through transparency, honesty, and respectful communication. Residents deserve clear information about district decisions and finances, and they deserve to know their voices are being heard. I believe the board should continue improving communication and listening to community input. Within the board, trust comes from respectful discussion and focusing on what is best for students rather than personal differences. Keeping that focus helps build stronger relationships within the board and with the community.
Vollrath: I am a huge advocate for transparency. The board needs to communicate better with our community. More positive communications would help gain trust with the residents. If I have learned one thing it’s easy to hide behind a keyboard and type posts on social media. I volunteer with several community organizations and talk with people throughout the community. This helps me listen and truly understand their point of view. This helps me better understand the direction or decisions I need to make or support. I think its time for a positive change on the Clintonville School Board.

With both the district’s Rec Center and Dellwood Childcare Center running substantial deficits, what steps would you advocate for to bring the district into a better financial situation regarding both the Rec Center and Dellwood Childcare Center?
Battenberg: I believe it is the school board’s job to set financial goals for the Rec Center and allow the Center’s leadership to determine solutions. The goal should be to reduce the deficit, review the effects of the changes after six months, and work with the leadership to continue to improve the situation. The Dellwood Childcare situation needs a more comprehensive approach. The Dellwood Childcare Center is a vital part of childcare in the community, but only one part. I advocate for creating a community steering committee of which the district is a part, that can develop workable solutions.

Lundt: We need a realistic plan to move these operations toward sustainability. I would advocate evaluating restructuring, tighter cost controls, fee adjustments, partnerships, and targeted service reductions. We should set measurable financial targets and timelines, then reassess honestly. If meaningful changes still don’t create a sustainable path forward, we must be willing to consider larger steps to protect the district’s long-term financial health.
Moder: We need to take a careful and honest look at the finances and operations of both programs. That includes reviewing expenses, participation levels, and pricing structures to find ways to reduce deficits while continuing to provide services that benefit families and the community. The goal should be improving financial sustainability while being responsible with district resources. Careful analysis and thoughtful planning will help determine the best path forward.
Vollrath: It is hard to balance community needs and taxpayer needs, but that is part of the job. I know there is much data being gathered to help the board. Part of the job of a board member is to do what is best for kids and education. Next, is what is best for taxpayers. What is often forgotten, is what is best for the community as a whole. In our small rural town, the school is the center of the community. It offers many programs. Without the school, these programs would not exist and people would be forced to go outside of the city to receive these services. Sometimes the decision is what is best for the community, especially in a small, rural town. In the end, we should always strive for community services to be cost neutral to taxpayers.

Do you feel the Clintonville School District is on the right path to success? Explain why or why not.
Battenberg: I feel the Clintonville School District is at a crossroads. The decisions made in the next few years will determine if the district moves forward toward greater success. First, the district must first determine its financial future based on the referendum outcome. Second, the district must determine how to retain and support effective school staff to counteract the educational problems caused by high turnover. Third, the school board must become a more stable, effective, higher functioning decision making group.

Lundt: We are on the right path, but we’re not finished. As Board President, I started the momentum and made sure we stayed focused on results: strong academics, safe schools, and responsible budgets. I’ll continue to lead with clear priorities, measurable goals, and transparent communication so families and taxpayers know what we’re doing and why. We’ve made progress, and now we need steady leadership to build on it, tightening accountability, keeping spending disciplined, and ensuring every decision supports student success.
Moder: I believe the district has many strengths, including dedicated teachers, staff, and strong community support. Over the past three years, we have made progress improving the district’s financial position, including rebuilding the fund balance. As a lifelong resident, I want to see our schools continue to succeed. My goal is to ensure students leave our schools with a quality education and can look back proudly on their time as Clintonville Truckers, just as I do.
Vollrath: I absolutely believe that we are on the right path to success. We have quality teachers and administration. We offer classes that benefit all students whether they want to go directly into the workforce or get a four-year degree. We are one of the biggest businesses in Clintonville. I think it is our job to partner with other businesses, to offer services to our community members.

Why should residents in the Clintonville School District vote for you?
Battenberg: School boards face difficult educational and financial decisions. I have vast experience with these decisions, so I can make quality, informed decisions at my first board meeting. I believe the school board should function in a more professional and less personal manner, and I will help lead the board in that direction. I have not been a school board member in the past, so I bring a fresh perspective. I may not be your top choice for school board. If so, consider me for your second vote.

Lundt: Taxpayers should vote for me because I bring experience, steady leadership, and a proven willingness to ask hard questions and insist on clear answers. I’m focused on academics, accountability, fiscal discipline, parent transparency, and student privacy, not political agendas. I support common-sense policies that reflect community values and protect student privacy, including maintaining appropriate boundaries in bathrooms and locker rooms with reasonable accommodations when needed. I’m endorsed by the Waupaca County Republican Party and Moms for Liberty.
Moder: Residents should vote for me because I bring experience, accountability, and a strong commitment to our community. As a lifelong resident of the district, I care deeply about the future of our schools. My background as a construction manager, business owner, and lifelong farmer has taught me the value of hard work and responsible financial decisions. During my time on the board, I have worked to ask tough questions and help strengthen the district’s financial position while focusing on improving opportunities for students. I will continue working to ensure our students receive a strong education and leave Clintonville proud to be Truckers.
Vollrath: Clintonville School District residents should vote for me not only because I have kids in the public schools but also because I can make common sense decisions for students, staff, and community with morals, ethics, and small-town values.