Candidate Q&A: Southern Door School Board

Greg Koelpien

Bio: Greg Koelpien graduated from UWGB with a degree in Communication Processes in 1990. After a decade working in advertising and design, he transitioned into a new career with Bay Shipbuilding, where he has worked for 10 years. He and his wife Deanna moved from Green Bay to southern Door in 1998. They have two children, assorted pets, and enjoy living in Door County immensely.

Why do you want to serve on the school board?

I am a big supporter of public education, and have received a great education at our local public schools. I have two children attending Southern Door, and feel strongly about giving back to the schools that have given so much for me and my family. However, I’ve noticed over the last few years, a tenor, a tone, that has become quite divisive in how our schools are run. I’m running in the hopes of turning these discussions in more positive directions, away from politics and agendas that detract from our job of providing our kids with a great education.

As a member of the board, are there specific issues you want to tackle?

I’m a big believer in public input, and the need to maintain open channels of communication with staff, students, parents, and interested citizens in regards to problems within our district. A system of transparency and accountability needs to be maintained. I believe the school board needs to balance the interests of a wide range of people, and is not just be a rubber stamp for the administration. We need to continue to spend tax dollars wisely, and reduce the amount of staff turnover that’s been occurring; we need to keep good teachers from leaving for better opportunities elsewhere.

What does the school district do well now, and what could be improved?

Southern Door has worked hard to maintain and improve the academic scores and ratings of the district, while holding the line on expenses. However, there has been much turnover in staff, which can reduce morale, reduce student learning and increase costs, as new teachers need increased mentoring and supervision to excel in the classroom. There have also been many mandates from the state that must be followed, but without accompanying funding to implement these changes. If people have concerns or complaints about the district, they need to be able to talk to staff, administration or school board members and see if such complaints can be resolved, or if changes in policy or procedures are warranted.

What would be your response to a constituent who says they don’t want to pay taxes for public schools because they don’t have any school-age children in the district?

My response would be that from the very beginning, the founders of our country believed that all children had a right to be educated through high school at public expense. They felt that the European practice of only educating those who could afford it severely hampered individual opportunity. We all hope we don’t need the services of the fire department or police department, but we are glad they are available when needed. Although I live in the town of Forestville, I fully support the BUG firehouse referendum, as the small increase in taxes creates a far better and responsive fire department for B-U-G and those towns with reciprocal agreements with B-U-G, such as Forestville. We all benefit.

Republican Senator Frank Lasee recently submitted a commentary to the Pulse that claimed “Our schools are well-funded and the schools that have fully utilized the tools in ACT 10 have successfully shifted more money into the classroom and improved student education. Some schools have not used those tools to their full potential and instead of doing the work, have chosen to cry poor year after year.” Door County residents have come to accept school referenda as a fact of life in the wake of Act 10 as a way to stay afloat. Is that because districts have not “fully utilized the tools in ACT 10”?

With all due respect to Senator Lasee, Wisconsin’s economic growth has lagged behind its neighbors and the nation in the five years since the passage of Act 10. Drawing broad conclusions about the impact of Act 10 on the economy as a whole, and on Southern Door in particular, is something that responsible leaders shouldn’t be doing without discussing the details of how Act 10 has hurt individual households, how state aids has been cut, and how the school funding formulas are applied unequally. Act 10, despite Senator Lasee’s beliefs, simply haven’t been a cure-all for local schools’ budget issues.

Jamie Schmiling

Bio:  I am an Algoma graduate. Both of my Associate Degrees are in the healthcare field, where I have worked most of my adult life. What I have to offer from this experience is teamwork, respect for one another, and putting students first, just as we put patients first in the healthcare field. My husband is a Southern Door graduate and values his previous education here. We have lived in the Southern Door district for more than 8 years and we have two children attending school here. I regularly volunteer in my children’s classrooms and various activities throughout school.

Why do you want to serve on the school board?

Through being involved in my children’s classrooms for over two years and volunteering in school, I see what awesome resources Southern Door School has to offer! Having children in the district and as a resident of the community, I am interested in preserving and improving the quality of our school system.

As a member of the board, are there specific issues you want to tackle?

If elected, my three goals are to provide quality education, attract and retain quality staff, and have strong partnerships in our community. Quality education is needed so students have the opportunity to achieve their goals. Students are the reason our school exists and we must keep them top priority. Teachers and staff are key resources in providing excellent education. Southern Door School is the center of our rural community. It has a beautiful campus the whole community can enjoy.

What does the school district do well now, and what could be improved?

Southern Door School is a strong school and has a long history with providing excellent education. I would like the opportunity to help preserve this. The school faces challenges working with the current funding formula. As a school board, we need to work together to ensure all of our tools and resources are being utilized. By doing so, we can continue to stand out as an excellent school and provide students what they need to succeed.

What would be your response to a constituent who says they don’t want to pay taxes for public schools because they don’t have any school-age children in the district?

Our schools today face great challenges working with restricted budgets. If the community does not invest in our school, it affects the quality of education students receive. Southern Door School’s students are the future of our community! Let’s work together in providing an excellent education so they have the tools needed to succeed.

Republican Senator Frank Lasee recently submitted a commentary to the Pulse that claimed “Our schools are well-funded and the schools that have fully utilized the tools in ACT 10 have successfully shifted more money into the classroom and improved student education. Some schools have not used those tools to their full potential and instead of doing the work, have chosen to cry poor year after year.” Door County residents have come to accept school referenda as a fact of life in the wake of Act 10 as a way to stay afloat. Is that because districts have not “fully utilized the tools in ACT 10”?

The current funding formula is not working in our favor and the school faces challenges working with a restricted budget. Southern Door School as gone through changes to contain costs. The budget process is a team effort and can only be restricted so far before the quality of education suffers. The school needs to work together to ensure all of it’s tools and resources are being utilized. By doing so, we can continue to stand out as an excellent school. The school board’s focus is providing quality education while being fiscally responsible.