Compiled by Kim McDarison
A spring general election will be held Tuesday, April 4. School District of Fort Atkinson voters will find on their ballots the names of three candidates vying for two seats on the district’s board of education. They are incumbents Kory Knickrehm and Amy Reynolds, and challenger Matt Loup.
Those elected to school board seats serve at large and for three-year terms.
Fort Atkinson Online recently asked each candidate to provide some biographical information and fill out a short questionnaire. Candidates were asked to respond to four questions using a combined total of between 700 and 1,000 words.
Candidates were asked to submit a photo for publication.
The electorate also will have an opportunity to see these candidates respond to questions in a videotaped Candidates Forum which will be presented online on this news site and on other online platforms.
A release date for the video will be announced soon.
Election polls on April 4 will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Candidates’ responses to questionnaires, presented in alphabetical order, follow.
Kory Knickrehm
Age: 39
Address: 1000 Pawnee Court, Fort Atkinson
Occupation: VP Sales, MK Cellular
Number of years resided in the district: 16 years
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing (UW-Whitewater), Master of Business Administration (Upper Iowa University)
Civic and other organizational memberships: President of Fort Atkinson Lady Blackhawks, Junior Blackhawk Baseball Coach, Rock River Stix Coach, Fort Boys’ Basketball Association Coach, Current President of District of Fort Atkinson School Board
Political experience: School District of Fort Atkinson School Board 2020-Current
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
My reasons for seeking another term for school board are simple, I’m passionate about quality education and children within our district. Our children deserve the best resources and opportunities that we can provide them and I’m excited about the opportunity to continue doing so. I feel it’s important to have an individual who understands the community and who is open to listening. Throughout my last three years on the school board, I have done a great deal of listening to better understand where we can continue to improve. Secondly, I have become a better board member to understand school spending. As I have discovered, school finance is a complex system. As we continue to move through a period of change I believe that a board member who is always willing to listen while being better educated on school spending is vital.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
Undoubtedly, the most pressing issue in front of SDFA is the upcoming operational referendum. The referendum is substantial in the public education landscape in Fort Atkinson. The 6.8 million dollar deficit is 16% of the district operational budget or equivalent to 70 full-time positions. From my perspective, the outcome of the referendum will affect each student in Fort Atkinson. A successful passage of this referendum can be done by maintaining our (public schools tax rate) current tax rate.
Another pressing issue in front of our district is how we continue to provide such a high-level quality education the taxpayers are supporting and expecting. The dynamics of public education have dramatically shifted even since I have been on the school board. What hasn’t changed is the endless effort given by our staff. I am amazed by the dedication and forward thinking that is being done each day in our classrooms. I knew the level of forward-thinking that was happening before I was elected but now that I’ve gotten to witness more of it, we are doing so many amazing things. We have an aggressive, but attainable 5-year strategic plan that launched in the summer of 2021. I am optimistic that we will see an even better school district over the coming years but it doesn’t come without a tremendous amount of work from each member of our district. As you can tell, I’m proud of the work that is being done.
What unique perspective do you bring?
I consider my approach from four different angles. The first is that I have served a term on the school board. There is a significant learning curve to understanding how the school district is operated. My previous experience will help in ensuring that the district is continuing to provide quality education. The second approach has been my involvement in the Fort Atkinson business community. I have worked closely with many of the area businesses and have a close ear on the pulse of the business community. It certainly brings a different perspective to hear what the companies that are hiring our graduates need from our district. The third approach is that I have two children in our district. I have an opinionated 7th grader at the middle school who is always willing to share her ideas and thoughts, along with a 3rd grader at Barrie Elementary who is passionate about his education and recess (not always in that order). Lastly, I’m around the students that directly impact the decisions I make. A good amount of my free time is coaching these students in several sports. From just the kids talking to each other or something a student says to me at practice, I’m around it all.
Any additional comments?
First off, I hope that you get out and vote on April 4th. It’s important to the community that every voice is heard. I’m hopeful that it’s clear that I’m passionate about ensuring the students at SDFA are provided with the best education possible while being prudent on the hard-earned tax dollars. I look forward to the opportunity to serve the School District of Fort Atkinson and the community for another 3 years.
Matt Loup
Age: 52
Address: 61 Shirley Street, Fort Atkinson
Occupation: stay-at-home parent
Number of years resided in school district: 20
Education: University of South Dakota, UW-Rock County, UW-Whitewater
Civic and other organizational memberships: Rock River Coalition, Ice Age Trail Alliance, past president of Heart of the City, FAYSA youth soccer association
Political experience: none
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
I am running for a position on the school board with deep gratitude to the School District of Fort Atkinson (SDFA) and to the larger community.
I believe the most important duty of a school board member is to advocate for students.
I hope to engage with community members to develop sustainable and reliable support for our public schools.
I would like to work with teachers and school administrators to craft policies that benefit students of all backgrounds, interests, and abilities.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
Academic Improvement:
SDFA’s strategic plan places academic performance at the center of its goals, and there is always room for improvement. The district’s guiding principles include a commitment to ensure every learner has access to the educational resources and rigor they need and that graduates are career, college, and life-ready. Standardized tests provide a snapshot of a district’s academic performance, but an effective curriculum is the basis for real, lasting success. The school board should regularly consult with educators on the best path for SDFA’s students.
Technology:
Technology is a significant part of the necessary educational resources mentioned above. Comprehensive staff training and support allows for effective student instruction. Technology can also help parents stay involved in their children’s education, giving greater insight into their school career.
Finances:
Unpredictable levels of state funding, as well as increasing diversion of taxpayer money to unaccountable private schools, makes the district’s financial planning more difficult. We know that our most valuable investment is our children’s education. The district must continue its dialog with taxpayers to craft a prudent budget that meets our students’ needs. SDFA’s business services department is dedicated and knowledgeable, and there are opportunities for growth within reasonable spending limits.
What unique perspective do you bring?
Fort Atkinson has an incredible volunteer culture. I’ve been fortunate to participate in many projects that prove the vital relationship between the district and the larger community. From energy (and cost) saving projects, to elementary school learning fairs, to after-school programs and youth sports, SDFA’s staff, parents, and citizens work together to make the place we live and learn more vibrant. I hope to bring to the board a sense of the camaraderie and curiosity I see every day in our district.
Any additional comments?
I believe that healthy public schools are essential to our democracy. They are places where students of all backgrounds come together to develop the skills necessary for self-improvement and civic engagement. When we support our public schools, we are supporting our children; when we support our children, we are supporting the future strength of our community and nation.
Amy Reynolds
Age: 42
Address: W8407 W Grove Rd. Fort Atkinson, WI
Occupation: Patient Access Trainer/ Fort HealthCare
Number of years resided in the district: 10 years
Education: Associate of Applied Science in Insurance Billing and Coding; Associate of Human Services Management; Technical Diploma Nursing Assistant
Civic and other organizational memberships: Girl Scouts Co-Leader and Cookie Coordinator
Political experience: An answer was not supplied.
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
I have been serving on the School Board for the past 3 years and have enjoyed learning and understanding the different roles. For me I love being on the School Board seeing things from a different perspective. Helping to see this wonderful district continue to grow. Even though there have been some ups and downs I would do this again in a heartbeat.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
The Operational Referendum. The state is not allocating more funds to any school district to help educate our next generations but there are increases in demand for more services and high quality staff. We need to be able to continue on our growth path.
What unique perspective do you bring?
I’m a mom! I think about things from a different perspective and listen to all sides before I make my decision. I have 4 kids in all three levels of our district so when I make a decision I think about all the kids and staff in each building and how it will affect them.
Any additional comments?
I have really enjoyed serving and would like to do so for another 3 years if the community would allow me. I am always willing to listen to anyone. I might not be able to answer your questions or concerns but I do know who can.
Polling places for voters within the School District of Fort Atkinson
A map of the School District of Fort Atkinson can be viewed here: https://www.fortschools.org/cms/lib/WI02211243/Centricity/Shared/District/boundary.pdf.
The polling place for all city of Fort Atkinson residents is the Municipal Building, 101 N. Main St.
Polling places for rural residents living within the School District of Fort Atkinson include the towns of:
Koshkonong, W5609 Star School Rd.
Oakland, N4450 County Road A
Jefferson, 434 County Road Y
Cold Spring, N1409 Fremont Rd., Whitewater
Lima, 11053 Willow Dr., Whitewater (Rock County)
Hebron, N2313 County Road D.
Palmyra, 100 W. Taft St.
Sumner, N1525 Church St., Edgerton
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I am not a parent myself but I have friends and family that are kids here or are parents that can not vote for there kids future education. What I would like to know from all of them is what they feel will be necessary with all the recent school shooting that have happened in other places, and they would all find a way to work with schools and bring better education, more safety, how to better the future of these kids education and what you plan for the kids not for us that are family and/or friends