Cedarburg School Board candidates discuss improving communication, hiring new superintendent
The Feb. 15 primary will eliminate one of the nine candidates competing for just four seats on the Cedarburg School Board.
Winners in the primary will advance to the general election on April 5. Up for election are four seats, including three three-year terms and one one-year term.
The candidates on the ballot for the primary are incumbents Richard Leach, Jennifer Calzada and Laura Stroebel; and challengers Elizabeth Charland, Kate Erickson, Ryan Hammetter, Michael Maher, Jamie Maier and Hani Malek.
We asked the candidates two questions heading into the primary. Candidates were given up to 100 words to answer each question.
How can the school district improve communication with parents?
Jennifer Calzada: Part of improving communication can come from parents, the community, and board members understanding that we are all being heard. The outcome may not be favorable to what each individual (board member and/or parent) may be hoping for, but that doesn't mean we/they aren't being heard. As a current board member, I listen to each parent who speaks at meetings, I also read every email. The (Jan. 3) listening session itself was very helpful, and I am personally a big proponent of public comment at meetings, emails and phone conversations.
Elizabeth Charland: I spoke at the Jan. 3 listening session and encouraged the board to have future listening sessions at least quarterly should they continue to restrict public comment to only voting items at future board meetings. Parents, students and community members have traditionally been able to freely bring concerns and compliments to the board at meetings, and I support that tradition of open dialogue. If elected, I support returning to the previous policy that allows residents to speak on any district topic. We are in a new era of parent empowerment, and I will always support parents advocating for their children.
Kate Erickson: Open public comment should be reinstated at the monthly meetings. Open public comment should also be allowed during school board committee meetings. Every effort should be made to include items/topics brought by the community on the monthly meeting agendas. Many issues that have been brought to the board are purposefully ignored. The school board must listen to the entirety of the community, not just those who share the same ideology. I also believe that every monthly and committee meeting needs to be livestreamed, and the public watching the stream should
have the option to speak and or ask questions.
Ryan Hammetter: Effective communication is essential for running an education system and can only occur when a mutually respectful relationship with open dialogue exists between the school board and community. Cedarburg residents should expect to be heard in board meetings through public comment. Suitable action should be taken when necessary, and the board should follow through with satisfactory responses and conclusions upon resolution. A talented superintendent can handle some of this communication, but the board should speak for itself when appropriate. School board members should seek to engage and communicate as public servants and problem solvers free from partisan ideology.
Richard Leach: We just added a new public listening session in January and will schedule more throughout the year. Although there is always room for improvement in communication within any organization, there are already many ways to communicate with school board members. I receive emails almost daily from constituents, I answer questions while shopping at Piggly Wiggly or other local stores and at local events, just like our other current board members. I have even spoken on the phone with constituents that wanted to discuss issues. Although some are trying to make communication a campaign issue, the entire board supports public input.
Michael Maher: This session changed the format (two minutes per comment instead of three) and the comment scope included this warning: Commenters are not immune from liability and can be held liable for defamation or false claims. I made public comments in the past, and it’s hard rushing through what you have to say. They made a concerted effort this year to limit community feedback, which is an integral part of effective communication. Any governing body should welcome and encourage open dialogue, but instead they changed policy to restrict public comments to specific agenda items, instead of items within their jurisdiction.
Jamie Maier: I would like to see these listening sessions quarterly. I think the listening session was well intended; however, the message of litigation and caution from the current board proved to create a deterrent. Only 10 community members spoke, many of them well spoken, each with great messaging. I would have liked to hear from more of the community that has been so vigilant through social media.
Hani Malek: I believe in transparency and open dialogue versus monologue. A listening session is helpful to understand what is on the community’s mind, but I feel that true benefit is accomplished when you can have healthy discussion, arrive at clear understanding of the issues and have a plan for next steps. I also feel one-sided communication can be frustrating and causes individuals, and the community, to feel pacified versus truly heard.
Laura Stroebel: A strong dialogue is critical to the success of Cedarburg School District. Communication is a two-way street. The district isn’t just responsible for communicating to its stakeholders, but also for remaining available to listen to and understand its constituents. This must begin at the highest level with the board and superintendent, and continue down through the district’s faculty and staff. When we foster a strong environment of communication, we grow stronger as a district. Transparency plays an important role in communication. This holds true for board members, and I pledge to be open and ready to listen.
What should the school board look for in hiring a new superintendent?
Calzada: As a current board member I am very sad to see Mr. (Todd) Bugnacki leave. He truly had the students' best interests at heart with everything he has done. I am also very eager to see what is in store for our district with a new superintendent. Qualities I find to be needed in a superintendent is someone with vision, strong communication skills, leadership capabilities, innovative, and one who is committed to our schools and community.
Charland: The board should hire the superintendent who best supports the district's vision. In effective districts, the board establishes a clear vision and advances policy for quality education, while the superintendent implements the plan to meet that vision. I encourage the board to find a candidate they can partner with effectively to achieve high outcomes for students and one who matches Mr. Bugnacki’s level of strong community engagement.
I support the board taking immediate action on hiring the next superintendent. Our district deserves exemplary applicants; waiting until late spring to make a hiring decision would put the district at a disadvantage.
Erickson: The school board should be looking for someone with experience in bridging community gaps. There are many disconnects between administrators, school board members, teachers, staff and the community. The new superintendent should also have experience in working with a population diverse in race and ethnicity. Cedarburg struggles in those areas and needs someone with experience to move us forward. We need someone who has vision and ideas to bring us into the changing future. Our district cannot continue to rely on the status quo and expect to keep excelling.
Hammetter: A superintendent is critically important to the school district's success. I would look for many traits when hiring a superintendent:
Passion, optimism for education
Focus on and compassion for students
Proven track record of strong leadership, hiring decisions
Comprehensive understanding of curriculum, programming, school funding, revenue limits, tax levy
Ability to build connections with the community
Strong communication skills
A good relationship between a school board and superintendent is paramount to the success of a district, which is why I support delaying this hire until after the community speaks by way of this election.
Leach: The school board sets policy, and the superintendent runs the Cedarburg School District. So it is important to find a superintendent that is intelligent and an excellent leader. They need to be a great communicator, both written and verbally. They should be collaborative and engaged and visible in and out of the district. They should be willing to get involved in the greater Cedarburg community and be approachable. They must truly care about kids. CSD is a high achieving district, and we need someone looking for continuous improvement, not just willing to rest on our successes.
Maher: I thought I might get the opportunity, if I was elected, to participate in this process, but the board immediately put together a timeline to have the new superintendent’s hiring approved and announced by March 28. Meetings that discussed this process have been in executive session. I hope the transparency improves. I would like a superintendent with a proven track record of improvement when it comes to rankings and student achievement, with a broad background in teaching/administration in public schools from small districts and larger districts, and has a history of community involvement.
Maier: I would like a superintendent that has a proven track record for creating a vision, being a strategic thinker as well as being a strong leader. Most importantly, I would like a superintendent that communicates. One that works with the community, is attentive and articulate. Has mutual respect for those with differing viewpoints; one that is flexible and collaborative and puts students first.
Malek: The power of collaboration and consensus building is immeasurable. I view the school board as a partnership with the community, parents, teachers, students and administrators. Therefore, I would look for a superintendent who would engage all stakeholders to understand what is working well, what is not, targeting key opportunities to improve, and successes to continue. The superintendent needs to properly communicate their findings and recommendations as appropriate to the school board. I would look for candidates that have proven records of accomplishment in overseeing academic excellence, community engagement, educator/administrator satisfaction and retention and student and family satisfaction.
Stroebel: Superintendents are the face of their district. CSD is one of the best in the state and requires a superintendent who not only maintains its high standards, but also fosters continuous improvement. Academic challenge is a must for all students. He/she must be an effective leader with students and staff, while maintaining connections in the community at large. Decisions should be based on Cedarburg’s best interests, not on the actions of other districts. The new superintendent must be fiscally responsible and a good steward of district assets. Lastly, he/she must promote an environment of respect and kindness.
Jennifer Calzada
Age: 41
Address: Flagstone Drive, Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: Appointed to Cedarburg School Board
Community involvement: Room parent for school; team manager for hockey team; school volunteer; heavily involved in church; bible study group; volunteered over the summer with Family Sharing of Ozaukee.
Contact information: jencalzadacedarburg@gmail.com; website: JenCalzadaCedarburg.com
Elizabeth Charland
Age: 37
Address: Skyline Drive, Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: None
Community involvement: Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, PTO treasurer, Sunday school teacher, room parent
Contact information: CharlandForCedarburg@gmail.com; website: CharlandForCedarburg.com; Facebook/Instagram: @CharlandForCedarburg
Kate Erickson
Age: 38
Address: W60 N982 Glenwood Drive, Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: None
Community involvement: Public speaker on Native American history; southeast region alternate board member of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association; Milwaukee Area Technical College DEI and Social Justice Committee member; member of the FBI Milwaukee Community Round Table; history faculty at Milwaukee
Area Technical College
Contact informaion: kateerickson4schoolboard@gmail.com; Facebook: @KateErickson4SchoolBoard
Ryan Hammetter
Age: 39
Address: N33 W7092 Buchanan St., Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: None
Community involvement: Board secretary and member of the Ozaukee Nonprofit Center; chairman on the Illuminate Ozaukee Committee; commissioner on city of Cedarburg Public Works and Sewerage Board; coach for Cedarburg Little League; volunteer at Festivals of Cedarburg and Westlawn Elementary School
Contact information: HammetterForCSD@gmail.com; 262-388-2676
Richard Leach
Age: 56
Address: N65 W7335 Cleveland St., Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: Cedarburg School Board president; former Grafton village trustee; former Grafton village president; former Ozaukee County board member
Community involvement: Friends of the Cedarburg Police board member, Ozaukee Scholastic Shooting Sports coach
Contact information: friendsforleach@gmail.com
Michael Maher
Age: 49
Address: W69 N425 Foxpointe Ave., Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: Cedarburg Common Council
Community involvement: Cedarburg Public Library board member; former Cedarburg Education Foundation member; former Cedarburg Parent Teacher Organization vice president; former Cedarburg Little League volunteer coach
Contact information: maherforschoolboard@gmail.com; Facebook: Mike Maher for Cedarburg School Board; website: MaherForSchoolBoard.com
Jamie Maier
Address: 326 Douglas Lane, Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: None
Community involvement: Cedarburg Junior Woman's Club board member; Ozaukee Hockey Committee board member; W Club executive committee
Contact information: 262-674-0433
Hani Malek
Age: 57
Address: St. John Ave., Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: None
Community involvement: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ozaukee County advisory board member; leader for new church building project
Contact information: hanimalekcsd@gmail.com
Laura Stroebel
Age: 60
Address: 2428 Covered Bridge Road, Cedarburg
Previous elected experience: Appointed to Cedarburg School Board
Community involvement: Former CHS PTO president, treasurer; former CHS Booster Club treasurer, board member; Girl Scout leader for 11 years; 4H Project leader for four years; Positive Parent Involvement representative for six years; Mom to Mom mentor, First Immanuel Lutheran Church for three years
Contact information: laurastroebelforcedarburg@gmail.com
Eddie Morales can be reached at 414-223-5366 or eddie.morales@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @emoralesnews.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cedarburg School Board candidates discuss communication superintendent
