Here's what educational issues are top of mind for Ashwaubenon School Board candidates
ASHWAUBENON — Brian Anderson and Scott Kirst are running for Ashwaubenon School Board, hoping to earn the seat in April 2 election.
Board members serve three-year terms and oversee a district of 3,200 students with a $48 million budget.
For information about registering to vote and polling locations, visit the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov/en-us.
The Press-Gazette asked the candidates to fill out a questionnaire about issues that are top of mind for them. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and formatting.
Here's what each of the candidates said:
Brian Anderson
Age: 44
Campaign website: www.anderson4asd.com
Current occupation: Lawyer
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; juris doctor from Ohio Northern University; master's in democratic governance and rule of law from Ohio Northern University; master's in library and information science from the University of Illinois
Relevant experience: I am a lawyer at the Everson Law Firm in Green Bay. In addition to my law degree, I have a master's in library and information science and previously worked as a law librarian and then a law professor before returning home to Wisconsin. I have served on the Brown County Library Board since 2019, including three years as president. I serve on the Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners and boards of other professional organizations, both locally and statewide.
Scott Kirst
Age: 51
Campaign website: https://bit.ly/ScottKirstforAshwaubenonSchoolBoard
Current occupation: Teacher
Education: I earned my bachelor's from UW-Green Bay, master's from St. Norbert College, and my Ph.D from Walden University
Relevant experience: I have been a part of the Ashwaubenon community for many years as a coach, player, announcer and judge. I have been part of the community conversations for strategic planning and listened to many community members laud the strengths and give solutions to the challenges within the community. I was vice president of the Ashwaubenon Optimist Club, have been the president of the parent group at Pioneer Elementary and currently am vice president of the Parkview Middle School parent group.
Why are you running for school board?
Anderson: Providing a strong public education is foundational to the success of our children and our community. I have a daughter in the district and have been involved in her education as much as possible. Our experience has been positive; I want to ensure other children are able to have a similar experience by helping ASD advance their efforts. I am a strong believer in service to the community, and my professional experience and service to other organizations will be an asset to the School Board.
Kirst: As a lifelong educator, I am always passionate to assist the students and community of Ashwaubenon whenever I can. When this opportunity to run came up, it was a perfect time in my personal and professional life to dedicate the time, energy and excitement the position deserves. I believe this is a position which great good can come from, and I want to assure that I am giving what I can to the community that has supported me for such a long time.
What makes you the best candidate?
Anderson: I have a proven track record of service to the community, including hands-on experience with the challenges and constraints of leading an organization with a publicly funded operational budget. My professional experience as a lawyer and business owner will be an asset to the board, as my approach to any issue will be the same: careful analysis of whatever issue is before the board and decision-making through critical thinking and fact-based processes.
Kirst: My experiences with education started when I graduated from UW-Green Bay with a degree in mathematics, physics and secondary education. I then received my master’s degree from St. Norbert College in science education and received my Ph.D. in education at Walden University in 2008. I was a physics teacher at a school for 10 years, an educational consultant for two years, an assistant professor of education at St. Norbert college for 13 years and currently am a teacher in the Green Bay Area School district. I have a solid foundation and passion for schools and community collaboration.
What do you believe are the top two issues that need to be addressed in the district, and how would you address them, if elected?
Anderson: First, supporting mental health and wellness of students is a primary concern. Challenges with students’ mental health can impact learning for all in the classroom. Supporting continued efforts to address the mental health needs of our students is essential to the academic success of all students. Second, while teachers have the expertise to direct their classrooms, they need help from families and the community to reinforce their efforts. For example, some families do not have the resources needed to be as attentive to their child’s learning as they may want and must also be supported.
Kirst: First, I will support Ashwaubenon schools' continued level of excellence in northeast Wisconsin. I want to showcase solutions to timely issues with forward thinking and positive outcomes for students while recognizing fiscal responsibility as part of the School Board's role. Secondly, I support a solid foundation of School Board policies to benefit future generations. I believe that policies should not focus on short-term solutions, but rather focus on long-term stewardship. I will add my expertise to these solutions by collecting data and analyzing information from others’ expertise as well.
As a school board member, how would you measure the success of district leadership meeting key goals? How will you hold district leaders accountable?
Anderson: During the past year our district engaged in a strategic planning process — something I participated in as a parent and community member. That plan will serve as a guidepost for me and other School Board members to evaluate whether these goals are met. Of the several board meetings I have attending since deciding to run in this election, I have been impressed by board members’ questions to the administration and the district leadership’s engagement to respond when challenged. I will continue this process, ensuring transparency in decision-making and tracking progress in the district.
Kirst: All voices in our community deserve to be heard. It is my responsibility to increase the ways in which all people and their ideas are honored by the district leadership. I need to have courageous conversations, so that I can learn and disseminate that learning to all in the community. Through discussions with all stakeholders in-person, online or via the phone, I will be available to receive their valued input and thoughts in district matters. I will inform and disseminate the information gathered from the schools and district back to the constituents to show transparency.
Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Brian Anderson, Scott Kirst vie for Ashwaubenon School Board seat
