Port Washington-Saukville School District
Forward Ozaukee asked each candidate for the Port Washington-Saukville School Board to answer five questions. Here are the answers of those whom replied. April 4 is the election for the school board.
YOU MAY VOTE FOR:
-1 CANDIDATE for the City of Port Washington apportioned seat (Kierstin Cira or Richard Sternhagen)
-1 CANDIDATE for the Town of Port Washington apportioned school board seat (Melissa Alexander or Justin Myers)
-1 CANDIDATE for the City of Saukville apportioned school board seat (Dawn Brooks or Sara McCutcheon)
At the end of the questionnaire answers you may find the names of the candidates who chose to not participate in answering these questions. Candidate biographies and answers have been listed in alphabetical order.
Melissa Alexander
Age: 33
Port Washington-Saukville School Board
Town of Port Washington Plan Commission
Melissa.alexander@pwwsd.k12.wi.us
Dawn Brooks
1. Age: 57
2. Address: 204 E. Dekora St. Saukville, WI
3. Previous Public Office: none
4. Community Involvement: former cub scout and girl scout leader, coach for Saukville Rebels cheerleading, business owner
5. Contact Information: 262-483-1139 rojemom@gmail.com
Rick Sternhagen
1. Age: 66
2. Address: 755 N. Milwaukee Street Port Washington, WI 53074
3. Previous Public Office: (none-second attempt to join the PWSSD Board)
4. Community Involvement: 1st VP Port Washington Lions Club, Member Port Washington Community Development Association; Member Port Washington Strategic Planning Committee; Former Board Member and Classroom Volunteer Junior Achievement; Event Volunteer United Way Sheboygan
5. Contact Information: risternh@gmail.com
1. Looking back, do you think our District handled COVID appropriately? Please explain your reasoning.
Melissa Alexander: No, I do not believe the schools handled COVID 19 appropriately. We lost so much in one year of shut down; socialization, and basic grade level markers, we cannot allow that to ever happen again. Teaching online proved to be unsuccessful. Let’s use what we learned from the pandemic to prevent us from ever closing schools again.
Dawn Brooks: No, I do not. It was pretty apparent by the fall of 2020 that COVID was not a threat to children and more and more research showed that masks were causing more harm than good. While well intended, virtual teaching did not meet expectations and we are now seeing this in our district's test scores. I am grateful to the parents group that banded together to demand the kids be brought back to the classrooms.
Rick Sternhagen: Initially, PWSSD took appropriate steps given the information available. Overtime as information evolved the Board failed to establish a reasonable objective. The policies established were to “ensure no one gets sick.” This narrow scope was void of any concern with implications on quality of education and students’ mental health. Policies were lockstep with the politicized guidelines from the CDC and State Agencies.
2. Statistics show educational achievement is on the decline in our country. What do you think should be done to reverse this trend?
Melissa Alexander: We need to focus on providing a strong education in a motivating and engaging environment. Teachers need to teach the foundational classes of math, reading, and writing. Continued training for teachers and getting parents involved with the schools is critical while holding them accountable for improving grades.
Dawn Brooks: Focus needs to be placed on the basics of what education is meant to include: reading, writing, math, science and history. I believe we need to have more direct instructor teaching and rely less on online based instruction. We need to hold students, teachers, parents and board members accountable for results.
Rick Sternhagen: As PWSSD has the lowest performance scores in Ozaukee County it’s important we all embrace a new culture that expects excellence. I would lead the completion of the strategic plan with initiatives and action that builds on our strengths and addresses our weaknesses. I would ask all stakeholders including Administrators, Teachers, Parents, Business Leader and Students to contribute towards our long-term plan for excellence. Everyone benefits from a top performing school district.
3. Human Growth and Development curriculums are not required in Wisconsin. Do you think our District should continue to have one and if so, what topics should it cover?
Melissa Alexander: Yes, I believe we should have a Human Growth and Development class to teach emotional, psychological, physical, and social development. The curriculum must be AGE APPROPRIATE and should be communicated to parents. This will provide a strong comprehensive education along with responsible decision making.
Dawn Brooks: I do believe there is a place for this in public education, but only to the extent that it is age appropriate and it relates to the health, mental and physical, of the students. Teaching about the consequences of STD's and unplanned pregnancies is appropriate. Our goal should not be to replace the role of parents, but be an added resource. All policies should be clear and well communicated to parents.
Rick Sternhagen: Human Growth and Development fits into a well-rounded science curriculum. The lessons should educate around the process of human reproduction. Content should avoid inappropriate sexual information or any conversation that includes definitions or identification of sexual preferences. Parents would have the right for their child to opt out of the program.
4. Do you think our District should inform and seek permission from parents to use names and/or pronouns contrary to a student's biological sex?
Melissa Alexander: Yes, I do think parents should be informed if their child is using a pronoun that is different from their biological sex. Too many times a child does not understand what using pronouns actually mean and the consequences of them. They may be influenced by others and are too young to truly understand the full impact of pronouns. This topic should not be taught in schools.
Dawn Brooks: I do not believe a school age child is mature enough to make this request, nor should other students be required to address another student by any other pronoun or name other than their biological sex. I do think it is appropriate for the district to have a conversation with the parents if the request is made by the child, explaining that this will not be done at school.
Rick Sternhagen: Parents should be aware of all situations that influence their children while attending school. Transparency is critical to success.
5. Do you support a paid position for a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in our school district? Please explain your reasoning.
Melissa Alexander: No, I do not believe we should have a Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I believe teachers and student counselors should be taught to handle situations on these topics along with getting the student's parents involved. There is no place for racism, discrimination or bullying of any sort in our schools and that should be emphasized and followed up by everyone everyday!
Dawn Brooks: No, ALL faculty should be promoting equity and encourage and demand that all students to respect one another. Bullying, racism and discrimination have no place in our society, let alone our schools. If a situation arises, all parties involved must be notified and action taken to address the situation immediately. The best person to handle this is the classroom teacher, not an administrative person that is not hands on with the students. If the situation escalates, the building administrator and school board should have policy in place to deter this type of behavior.
Rick Sternhagen: I would approach all allocation of resources with one filter. How does the expenditure and time contribute towards the success of the students and support excellent education? Without all the details, it appears the position would address perceived issues that should not be tolerated as a part of PWSSD. With that, a Director would not be needed. Acceptance of Diversity, Equity of opportunity and Inclusion should be part of the moral fabric of the District.
*No response from: Kierstin Cira, Sara McCutcheon and Justin Myers