Melinda: I have been working in education for over 25 years and feel I have strong attributes that add value to our school board. With my knowledge and background, I can make a positive impact in this district. Right now, it is of great importance to have someone who understands students, staff, and the Wrightstown community and their needs. School board members with various educational backgrounds and experiences allow for insightful perspectives and effective decision-making.

Jonathan: I have a lifelong love of learning.  Wrightstown is a well-educated community with a mix of manufacturing, technology, and some of the largest farms in the state.  With my experience in operational excellence and my current role in strategic planning, I feel there are tools I can bring to the school board to continue the academic excellence throughout all the programs offered within the district.

Melinda: The top two issues that need to be addressed in the district are maintaining a focus on continuous improvement and finding ways to serve all students in order for them to reach their greatest potential.  I would address them by reviewing resources available in our district, being sure there are plans that are best for the students, staff, and that they can be maintained by the district.  The district has strayed from this, and it’s time to return to our high expectations, strong values, and student focus.

Jonathan: The biggest issue facing the district will be handling the aftermath of recent events surrounding both the retirement of our superintendent and the recall effort for the school board president.  The board needs a calm and steady voice with the skills needed to better bridge the various viewpoints within the board while keeping what’s best for the kids top of mind.  I frequently work across different product and development channels working to build solutions that fit customers’ needs.  I am able to look at the bigger picture and find real solutions for customers versus what may be a preferred ask from an individual team within my company.

The second top issue in my opinion will be the new superintendent that the district will be hiring this year.  We’ve recently hired and lost a superintendent that was only 1.5 years into the role.  I had noted at a school board meeting in December, that this may put a dark mark on the district and limit the candidate pool for a future hiring.  I would work to ensure we can get the best available people in to interview for the position and look for an excellent long-term hire with positive experiences and departures along their journey into Wrightstown.

Melinda: The first priority would be to start the next school year with a new superintendent who is fair, knowledgeable, well-respected, and comes well-recommended with a history of school success. We need someone that leads  with empathy to help the district heal, works collaboratively with all stakeholders, and understands what it means to empower students, staff, and families for success. My suggestion would be to establish an interview committee consisting of board members, administrators, staff, students, and community members to brainstorm skills needed for a new superintendent. The process would be outlined and shared with the community. After hiring, the superintendent could maintain this committee, in part, as a way to get to know the district.  This would support the transition to a new superintendent and set them up  for success.

Jonathan: I would be looking for a superintendent who has experience in successful districts.  WCSD is consistently in the top 50 schools in the state of Wisconsin and often the top school in the Green Bay area.  I believe having a good administrative team that supports its staff creates a positive environment to work in, which leads to successful classrooms.  Ideally, I’d be able to reach out to staff in districts that the superintendent worked in prior and hear how well they were supported by the superintendent and how much they enjoyed coming in every day to educate their students.  We have excellent teachers and staff here in Wrightstown with some of the best facilities.  I’d ensure the new superintendent would be successful by helping make the connections needed within the small, tight-knit community we are.  I’d want to ensure the superintendent has the resources and time they need to connect with the staff, ask about the work that needs to be done to be successful, and work in whatever way needed to ensure their team has what they need.