BRIAN GUSTKE
Wautoma Area School District
What promoted you to run for school board?
I am running for my second term on the board. I’m vested in the area and school district having three children who currently attend school in the district. I’m a proud graduate of Wautoma and I want our future graduates to have that same feeling many years after graduation. I want to be a voice for parents and students if they have concerns or questions about what is happening in the district.
What do you believe are the important issues facing your school district?
Staff vacancies is something we always need to be mindful of and try to combat. We need to offer competitive pay and benefits to stand out amongst our neighboring districts and to compete with the larger districts in the Oshkosh and Fox Valley area. Being competitive will allow us to keep our current staff as well as attract the best candidates when vacancies do arise. Having the best teachers is the first step in ensuring that our children are receiving the best possible education we can provide.
If elected – during your term what do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to see the district continually improve the curriculum we are teaching students. We must be innovative in our teaching methods. I want to see the district improve its ranking on the Department of Public Instruction yearly report card. The report card is an accountability tool that DPI completes for every publicly funded school.
The district is currently doing well financially. I will see that the district continues to allocate funds in ways that are fiscally responsible, and the taxpayers of the district are satisfied with.
What makes you a great candidate for school board?
I feel that I’m approachable and levelheaded. I take my current role on the board serious. I’m committed to public involvement. I’m willing to devote time and energy to my position. I have respect for district employees. I’m committed to protecting and providing for the students. I’m not going to just follow suit when I don’t feel it’s in the best interest of the students. I’m not afraid to ask difficult questions. I know sometimes the right thing to do isn’t the popular thing to do and sometimes the popular thing to do isn’t the right thing to do. That’s why when voting decisions must be made on proposals brought to the board, I’m going to vote in favor of items that are in the best interest of the students because if it’s not good enough for my child it’s not good enough for any child.
ELISSA ARMSTRONG
Wautoma School District
What prompted you to run for school board?
I, myself, am WHS graduate. I have one son who graduated in 2020 and one son who is currently a sophomore. I am also heavily involved in our community’s youth sports programs and the Booster Club. I have a vested interest in not only my own children, but all children in our community.
What do you believe are the most important issues facing your school district?
I believe we have many important issues in today’s society in our school districts. I also feel that our administration and school board has done a great job addressing issues as they arise. I feel that something that could have a larger front seat is our children’s emotional and mental health.
If elected - during your term what do you hope to accomplish?
If elected I hope to continue on with the great strides that our board has been making. I also hope to bring more awareness to our students mental health. And as always I hope to continue making strides in our children’s learning experiences.
What makes you a great candidate for school board?
I would make a great candidate for school board because of my current level of involvement with our administration team and also our youth and high school students. I have formed many healthy relationships in the district and hope to continue down this path.
DAWN PETERSON
Wautoma School District
What prompted you to run for school board?
The idea to run for school board has been in the back of my mind for many years, however, I worked for the district so I was unable to. I resigned my position of 28 years as secretary for Parkside School last June and I thought now was a good time.
What do you believe are the most important issues facing your school district?
I believe important issues facing this school district is making sure there are qualified staff to help our students. I believe technology is the path to the future and we need to stay compatible for students to have quality learning. I also feel a balanced budget is important to meet all needs in this school district and from what I have seen, this district does an amazing job!
If elected - during your term what do you hope to accomplish?
If elected, I hope to put the needs of students and staff at the utmost importance. I also hope to bring a conservative attitude for any and all decisions that will need to be made and use the best of my abilities to accomplish this.
What makes you a great candidate for school board?
I feel my work history and knowledge I have gained over the years will help me to do what is best for this district. My favorite part of my work days were getting to know and understand the students that I served. I also got to work with and get to know some amazing staff and administrators that serve our district very well. I look forward to a new challenge and I am excited to be able to serve this district in a different facet.
JEANETTE THOM
Wautoma Area School District
What prompted you to run for school board?
The greatest factor that impacted me to run for school board was my children and grandchildren in school. I care about every child and their needs as individuals. Running for board not only gives me a chance to be a voice to parents’ issues and concerns, but also help children be prepared for every opportunity that they may pursue after graduating. I want to help make a difference in some way, shape, or form in our community to help student achievement.
What do you believe are the important issues facing your school district?
I believe some issues faced in our school district are the political principles being focused on, rather than the children’s educational needs for a thriving future.
But by working together we can all share in the knowledge and satisfaction that we have provided for the educational needs of all children, and have built a district where students, parents, teachers, and staff feel they are welcome and that they belong.
If elected–during your term what do you hope to accomplish?
As a member of the school board, we are here to help create a long-term vision, mapping a course that provides the necessary opportunities students need to reach their full potential. The board is responsible for establishing and maintaining a structure that supports this vision, empowers the staff, and provides leadership.
I believe that a school board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large, encouraging an open dialog. The board must take input from all groups and weigh all the facts before making a decision.
My efforts as a board member would center on serving all of the children in the community; one child is no more important than another. We are a diverse community and have to celebrate that diversity. Our schools are here to serve the educational needs of all the children.
What makes you a great candidate for school board?
I have been part of the school board and CESA board for 10 years now. Through my years I have participated and learned so much going to many national school board association conventions and seminars. They have helped me gain more knowledge into child development and learning that has created me to be a better public education leader. I believe with my previous knowledge and experiences this has developed me into a good school board candidate that understands current goals, visions, and policies.
