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Letter to the Editor: Vote for Experience in Recall

I have followed with increasing concern the news and editorials regarding Sevastopol School District’s recall of school board members in the paper. I received a number of phone calls to sign a petition for a recall accusing certain school board members of inappropriate use of public funds. Alarming accusations if true! So, I attended the regular board meeting in July to discover more and witnessed the contentiousness of a number of members in the audience who were parents and teachers supporting the recall.

I am a Sevastopol taxpayer, which some individuals supporting the recall are not. I am also a retired school counselor, English teacher, Lakeland College professor and enthusiastic supporter of public school education and its educators. I subbed at Sevastopol Junior/High School. My perception was that it was a cohesive community that focused on high achievement. I drive by Sevastopol and see the banners proclaiming awards, particularly the 2015 Blue Ribbon Middle School Award. It convinces me as a Sevastopol taxpayer that my tax dollars are going toward creating topnotch education for its students. As a middle school counselor, I assisted in writing a successful Blue Ribbon Middle School Award in my building. It takes a combined effort of staff, administrators, and School Board excellence to receive one.

I have had the opportunity to listen to Door County School Board panels on three separate occasions. The Sevastopol representatives have always been informed and experienced, advocating for the educational and financial needs of their staff and students. Including those in the recall, those unseated in the last election, and those who decided not to run again in April, their experience totals decades supporting public education and Sevastopol.

As a Sevastopol taxpayer, I encourage those supporting the recall to consider a number of possible results from the unseating and replacement of two current board members in a recall election.

  1. Consider the continuing erosion of school aides and financial security that could result in ultimately needing to become a part of Sturgeon Bay School System. While an excellent system, becoming a part of Sturgeon Bay’s tax base would result in a significant tax increase for Sevastopol residents. Board members prior to April 2016 have a proven record of the financial acumen that it takes to keep a school district afloat.
  2. Consider the loss of valuable experience at the local and state level of Sue Todey and Bill Behme, both in educational and financial support leadership will be a loss for the approximately 2,700 residents of Sevastopol.
  3. Consider the loss of community support for a district that appears in turmoil. Within the last year, a referendum was proposed and tabled. Changes to school financing at the legislative level causes districts to float referendums, often just to finance operating costs. How likely is it that a referendum would pass muster when skepticism has been created in the community for leadership? The continuing division of the 117 staff members can only negatively impact students. One recall proponent speaks of a majority of support for the recall. I saw only about 10 percent of the staff there, some of whom do not live in the Sevastopol School District.
  4. A new principal has been hired. The superintendent has resigned. Move forward with building a new leadership team. The current school board is best suited to facilitate this.

I encourage you to vote to retain Sue Todey and Bill Behme.

 

Sherry Mutchler

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

 

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