SONDRA ROCKWOOD
Wild Rose School District
What prompted you to run for School Board?
I am running for my 3rd term as a Board Member for the School District of Wild Rose and want to continue serving the students of the School District of Wild Rose. I feel there is a great importance, especially during recent times, to be able to make decisions that benefit all students. I feel that I have done this with an open mind and heart. I value our youth and their education and will continue to do so if I am re-elected. I will continue to strive for academic opportunities and achievement for all students in our district.
What do you believe are the important issues facing your school district?
An important issue facing our school district is our upcoming referendum to update the Elementary School and Middle/High School. The updates will include improving safety, security and accessibility; replacing aging infrastructure and outdated educational spaces. Schools depend heavily on State funding. The School District of Wild Rose has high property values which greatly decreases the amount of State funding allowed for our district. Allocated funds are used in areas best suited to have the most positive effect on students and instruction. It will be important to provide mental health resources and advanced learning opportunities due to school closures during the past couple of years.
If elected - during your term what do you hope to accomplish?
I am proud to be a part of a School Board that puts the needs of the students first. Personal preference and personal agenda must be abandoned when making decisions to benefit an entire school community. I do this for the love of our students and community, not for personal gain or merit.
What makes you a great candidate for School Board?
I am an experienced School Board Member with a vast background and experience within the school having been employed there for many years. I have worked with all factions of the School District of Wild Rose and look forward to serving once again on a team that makes our school district great. I attend continuing educational workshops on laws and policies that School Board members need to adhere to. If re-elected I will continue to hold the utmost respect for the confidentiality of executive sessions and sensitive information regarding Students, Staff, and situations to an extremely high standard. I would appreciate your vote for re-election on Tuesday, April 5, 2022.
TARA ANDERSON
I am running for a village seat, which is 2A,
for Wild Rose School Board
What prompted you to run for Wild Rose School Board?
I have been thinking of running for school board for about 7 years now. It became more important to me the last few years when I realized there were no parents of school-age kids on the board. I feel like the only way our voices as parents will get heard is if there is a parent on the board. My son is in 7th grade and I want to be involved in decisions that will impact him as a student and student athlete.
Many of the current school board members have been on the board for 20+ years, and while the experience and knowledge are welcomed, at some point, there needs to be new perspectives and fresh new ideas. I think it is good for things to change every once in a while.
I think the way I look at things will help me as a member of the school board; I like to get different perspectives and ideas for situations that help me work toward the greater good. I’m also good at delegating and asking for help when needed. If there is a situation that I need help with, I’m good at finding people with experience to help me.
What do you believe are the important issues facing your school district?
Making sure we have competitive curriculum and relevant and useful classes that will better prepare our students for life after high school, whether that includes a 4-year college, technical college, trade school, or the work force. Large class size is another concern of mine. There are classes in the elementary that are large and I would like to come up with potential solutions.
If elected - during your term what do you hope to accomplish?
I would love our school board to be more visible, involved, and available for the school. This would include going to our students’ activities and even helping out if and when needed.
I am also passionate about ensuring equal treatment and discipline for all of our students in Wild Rose; it is my hope that all students will be treated the same.
I want to be the voice for parents and kids, making sure all their concerns are addressed and making sure they feel like they are being heard.
What makes you a great candidate for school board?
As a parent of a 7th grader, I am very involved in the school and its activities. I am a member of the Wild Rose Booster Club and I am part of a group of parents that have started a parents group for the middle/high school. I also have been attending almost all of the school board meetings over these last 2 years, which has brought me up-to-date on what is going on in our school and what can be worked on.
It is important for a school board member to be a leader in the community. I pride myself in this arena since I spent 8 years in the US Army, leading hundreds of soldiers. Being a sergeant also taught me how to be a team player. School boards regularly face issues that invite a diversity of strong opinions and passionate beliefs from parents and the community. My background in leadership will serve me to reconcile differences, forge a consensus, and to reach compromises, all in the service of its students.
I have experience running committees and being part of a team of well-respected individuals. I have been on the Wild Rose Days Planning Committee since 2013 and have been the chair since 2015. As part of the committee, I’ve been involved with securing sponsorship’s, volunteers and vendors and planning and organizing the entire event. Countless other dedicated Wild Rose citizens and I have volunteered hundreds of hours of our time to provide a fun weekend for Wild Rose families and kids. I have a passion for volunteering my time and resources to this community, especially if there is a benefit to the children.
Remember, everyone in the school district can vote for every seat up for election.
I appreciate your consideration to have me as your school board representative.
