BY KRIS LEONHARDT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
GREEN BAY – Four candidates are seeking two spots on the Unified School District of De Pere School Board.
Following are the responses to questions posed to the candidates ahead of the April 2 contest:
Scott Hemauer
Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:
I am originally from New Holstein, a graduate of St. Norbert College and owner of Hemauer Financial Group, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial, located in downtown De Pere. I have four children that have graduated from De Pere schools and who have gone on to various college and tech-based occupations. The town of Rockland has been my home for the past 24 years. I am running for office to continue to serve my community and I am committed to ensuring a quality education for our students. Our district faces upcoming challenges to grow responsibly, and with my background in small business ownership, finance, and leadership roles I have not only the passion but also the necessary skill set to serve effectively.
Pertinent business experience has included over 30 years of financial planning, investment management and financial analysis work. My experience as a business owner also has demanded expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive long-term budgeting and forecasting, which I believe will be crucial experience as districts continue to struggle with funding and referendum design.
My other related current and past experience includes Definitely De Pere current board president; De Pere Economic Enhancement committee member; Tour De Pere communications chair; 2014 Wisconsin Main Street Board Member of the Year; Cub Scout pack leader, De Pere Youth Football coach; Band Boosters supporter; De Pere Business Improvement District founding committee; De Pere Riverwalk fundraising committee; Voyager Park Nelson Family Pavilion fundraising committee.
What developments would you like to see the school district make over the upcoming term:
My 10 focus points are to provide a voice for all stakeholders and remain accountable to students, parents and taxpayers; promote continual review of learning expectations including ”late work” and “retest” policies that do not mirror real life but instead encourage complacency and tie up educator time; provide more convenient access to board meetings via close captioned video; challenge our college bound students to excel, but also provide focused learning for student entrepreneurs and tech based careers as well; review policies regarding student mobile device usage in classrooms; maintain student behavioral expectations that demand respect and character in all grade levels; instill in our students the skills necessary to confront and conquer adversity; assure a secure, productive classroom learning environment free of ideologies; remove distractions to allow our educators to focus on their passion of developing each student’s academic and life skills; encourage community and business partnerships and student mentorship programs; vote for comprehensive, long term, responsible budgeting with total transparency.
Details regarding these focus points are available via Facebook at HemauerForSchoolBoard.
Regarding financial transparency, I am self-funding my campaign and I am not accepting donations or in-kind contributions from any individuals, groups or political parties. I also am not soliciting endorsements from any specific entities or political groups. Second, if elected, I would donate my school board stipend of approximately $3,200 per year to De Pere Student Services and De Pere Band Boosters.
What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:
Accessible, Accountable Leadership. I have included this phrase on my campaign literature for a specific reason. I think sometimes, and especially during the recent pandemic, it may have felt like our school leadership was not very accessible or accountable for their decision making. Personally, I had sent a few emails to our board members at that time and did not receive responses. Parent surveys were also conducted where subsequent decisions were the opposite of the parent’s consensus. As a board member I will answer every e-mail that I am sent and explain every board decision clearly to constituents. I think that should be a minimum expectation.
I believe we need to create better working relationships with our city government, local business base and greater community. We may perceive our communication process to be comprehensive, but there are a large number of voters and stakeholders who are not included in the current district communication process and related social media presence; but who should have feedback in district decisions. I have specific experience working successfully with our city government as well as the greater community through my board service and community volunteer roles in the past. These working relationships will be crucial as we contemplate future referendum planning.
I look forward to hearing from voters about their concerns or to provide feedback. I can be reached at [email protected].
Joel Neuville
Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:
I’ve spent most of my life in Northeast Wisconsin, and the last 13 years in De Pere — our values are my values. I am married with two kids. My son is a freshman at De Pere High School, while my daughter graduated from De Pere and now attends St. Norbert College. I have a BS from UW-Stevens Point and serve in a leadership role at a local manufacturing facility that supports 200 plus local families. Most of my involvement/connection with students/parents/staff has been through coaching wrestling at Green Bay Preble, De Pere and local Clubs for the better part of 20 years. I am a great listener, my heart is in the right place, and I’m a strong leader that can only be influenced by sound logic. I will safeguard parent choice/voice, assure responsible spending and financial competency, and uphold/preserve our traditional De Pere values. I will be part of the solution.
What developments would you like to see the school district make over the upcoming term:
Over the upcoming term, my primary focus for the school district is to spearhead strategic initiatives that promote academic excellence, foster student well-being, and enhance community engagement. I advocate for the integration of cutting-edge technology into the curriculum to prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century job market. This includes investing in digital resources, promoting STEM education, and expanding vocational training opportunities.
Additionally, prioritizing mental health support is paramount. I propose the implementation of comprehensive mental health programs, including counseling services and awareness campaigns, to create a nurturing environment where students can thrive emotionally and academically.
Community engagement is vital, and I aim to establish stronger connections between schools and families. This involves organizing regular town hall meetings, expanding parent-teacher collaboration, and fostering partnerships with local businesses to enrich educational experiences.
Financial responsibility is another key area. I will work diligently to ensure prudent budget allocation, exploring innovative funding sources while maintaining fiscal transparency. This includes supporting teacher professional development to enhance instructional quality and investing in infrastructure improvements to create safe and conducive learning environments.
In essence, my vision for the upcoming term revolves around a holistic approach to education, combining academic innovation, mental health advocacy, community collaboration, and responsible fiscal management to elevate the overall educational experience for every student in our district.
What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:
To enhance constituent involvement in the decision-making process, I propose implementing a multifaceted approach that prioritizes transparency, accessibility, and community engagement. First, I would establish regular town hall meetings, providing a platform for open dialogue where community members can voice concerns, share insights, and actively participate in shaping educational policies.
Utilizing digital platforms, I would launch an interactive website dedicated to school board updates, financial reports, and upcoming decisions. This platform will not only serve as an informational hub but also include forums for online discussions and surveys, ensuring broader participation from those unable to attend physical meetings.
Furthermore, I advocate for the creation of advisory committees comprising parents, educators, and community leaders. These committees would meet regularly to delve into specific issues, gather diverse perspectives, and provide valuable recommendations to the school board. By involving constituents in these targeted discussions, we can harness collective wisdom and tailor decisions to better align with the needs and values of our community.
Lastly, I would encourage direct communication channels, such as regular newsletters and email updates, to keep constituents informed about ongoing initiatives and decisions. By fostering an environment of collaboration, we can strengthen the partnership between the school board and the community, ensuring that the decision-making process is a shared and transparent endeavor.
Matthew Petersen (Incumbent)
Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:
As a lifelong resident of northeast Wisconsin (graduate of Seymour High School and 16 plus years in the De Pere community) and a proud parent of two Redbirds, I am deeply and personally invested in the district’s commitment to deliver the best life preparation possible. I’ve also devoted my career to education as an instructor and administrator at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
After completing a Ph.D. in Human Physiology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, I began a teaching career that has spanned 20 years. I’ve helped shape thousands of lives and careers. In my administrative role, I continue to teach, partially because I still love the thrill of teaching and partially because spending time in the classroom keeps me centered on what’s most important about my job. The dual mindsets of being a teacher and administrator have led me to the conclusion that two things in education matter above others: 1) the supportive and skillful day-to-day interaction between students and staff, and 2) the resources and systems that support our staff and keep them motivated.
I’ve been able to apply these perspectives to my work on the De Pere School Board. Last fall I was appointed to the Board to fill a vacancy, and I’ve found the role to be both extraordinarily important and deeply rewarding. De Pere is one of the best districts in the state, and yet there is much work left to do. I firmly believe that there is a path to success for every child in De Pere if we work together.
What developments would you like to see the school district make over the upcoming term:
The Unified School District of De Pere is one of the highest-performing districts in the state of Wisconsin and continues to grow rapidly. Our primary challenge is setting a direction that maintains excellent education for a much larger student population than we currently serve. The School Board will need to work closely with district leadership and residents to bring the necessary resources to expand facility space and bring in additional staff while taking great care to maintain a sense of unity and cooperation in the community.
In addition, we must continue to prioritize the resources needed to attract and retain the best possible teachers and staff for our students. This is partially a matter of resources, as we must offer fair and competitive compensation. But it is also a matter of culture. We must maintain the type of culture that keeps staff motivated and excited to do what they do each day. Our educators give their all for our kids each day, and we as a community have to be sure to recognize that dedication.
Finally, in an era of rapid change we need to ensure that the curricula and technology we offer to our students provide them the educational edge they deserve. In the coming years, the way we teach kids to read will undergo substantive changes, and artificial intelligence will likely reshape much of the way we use technology to help kids learn. We will need to be hyper-focused on staying proactive and nimble as a district.
What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:
The school board’s primary role is to serve as the catalyst for collaboration between kids, families, administration, staff, and the broader community. The climate in the past several years has sometimes drifted away from cooperation around shared values toward unproductive bickering, division, and distraction. The next decade is full of challenges and opportunities that are best handled with a spirit of cooperation.
There are specific actions we can take to strengthen the bond between De Pere and our schools. I stand behind recent Board efforts to explore the best means to record and/or stream meetings to bring more De Pere residents into the decision-making process. If elected I commit to supporting more events that build bridges between our families and our educators. Town hall-style meetings, family fun nights, opportunities to invite residents into schools to see new technology and facilities, and community service opportunities for our students help build connections and inspire both school spirit and community pride.
One final point about our board and schools modeling cooperation and the spirit of our community: our district’s mission states that we aspire to deliver “a distinct educational edge” to our students. I can’t imagine a bigger edge that we could provide to our Redbirds at this time in our country’s history than helping our students become the type of people that engage in honest but respectful disagreement and search for common ground with those that see the world differently than themselves. That starts with our board members.
Brandy Tollefson
Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:
I have spent the last 17 years as an Accounting Manager for a company that owns hotels. I have also been involved in all aspects of operations, human resources (HR) and payroll. Relevant to being on the school board, I have written and conducted regional manager reviews, researched and implemented a change in payroll processing vendors, and in charge of compliance for all state/federal requirements in operations, payroll/HR and accounting. I review annual and monthly budgets with all managers, track large construction projects and implement new strategies for improving net income. Beyond my professional qualifications I was the Dickinson PTO treasurer for three years, currently volunteering to run the concession stands at Cloud and Nowak fields at the high school, joined the community task force last summer that worked on options for needed referendums, was involved in the group that successfully passed the referendum to save Legion Pool, as well as various other volunteering in our school and community. I have a BS from Portland State University in Anthropology and was a field Archaeologist and lab tech for seven years. All of this will allow me to ask the right questions and have input when we are presented with decisions on the school Board.
What developments would you like to see the school district make over the upcoming term:
My number one priority would be to ensure we have competitive compensation for our staff in the district, comparable to those of neighboring districts. We need to retain the staff talent that has gotten us to be ranked 13th among all Wisconsin school districts. This also means educating the community on why the operational referendum is necessary, how we got to the point of going to referendum and the impact on our schools if it does not pass. Then moving forward, working with the administration on a long-term sustainable plan for funding in the future.
I would also like to look for ways for the district to install and maintain more efficient business systems and processes. I believe this is not only good for the environment but also a potential cost-saving measure. Are there ways to reduce the amount of printing? Is there any equipment (like furnaces or water heaters) that could be upgraded to something more energy efficient and are there grants available to help fund these upgrades? Could we partner with local colleges who offer classes related to solar or energy efficiency to come in and do assessments or projects in our buildings? Could we offer a class in our own curriculum that would allow students to be part of the solution? I would like to research if there are things other districts have done that have been successful in reducing waste and/or costs. All of these are questions I would like to explore.
What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:
I believe the number one way of getting more voices at the table is for our board members to be involved in the community and actively listening to their concerns. Encouraging people to attend board meetings and making them aware of what’s on the agendas. I know the current board is exploring options (within budget) to broadcast board meetings and I would fully support this as an avenue for making our meetings more transparent and inclusive. I also support the efforts of our superintendent to hold public meetings (both in-person and virtual) to educate people on the operational referendum on the ballot. I appreciate the current board members who I’ve seen attending these meetings and I would continue to represent our school board in the same ways. The community task force I was a part of last summer on the referendum was open to any community members who wanted a voice in the process.