Editor’s note: A candidate’s questionnaire response has been updated to include civic and organizational memberships.
Compiled by Kim McDarison
Voters heading to the primary polls on Feb. 15 will find the names of six School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education candidates on the primary election ballot. The four top vote-getters in the primary will advance to the general election, which will be held April 5.
Along with the city of Fort Atkinson, towns, either in full or partially, within the School District of Fort Atkinson include: Oakland, Jefferson, Hebron, Cold Spring, Lima, Palmyra, Sumner and Koshkonong.
Primary election polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at each community’s respective municipal building or town hall.
In April, the four advancing primary candidates will vie for two open at-large seats. School board members serve three-year terms.
Fort Atkinson Online emailed to each of the six candidates a questionnaire on Jan. 11 with a request for its return by Jan. 18. All of our forms were returned by Jan. 17.
Candidates were asked to respond to four questions using a combined total of between 700 and 1,000 words.
Candidates were also asked to provide a photograph for publication.
Candidates, presented in alphabetical order, and their responses, follow:
Samantha “Sam” LaMuro
Age: 35
Address: 1120 Arndt Court, Fort Atkinson
Occupation: Infection preventionist for a local healthcare facility
Number of years resided in school district: 35 years. Born and raised in Fort Atkinson.
Education: Bachelor’s in clinical laboratory sciences with post education involving premedical courses.
Civic and other organizational memberships:
- Member of the Jefferson County Board of Health
- Member of the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee through Jefferson County Emergency Management
- Member of the Badger Chapter for the Association of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology
- Member of the South-Central WI Healthcare Emergency Response Coalition.
Political experience: This is my first time running for a position appointed by community votes. I do sit on a lot of committees that require decision making.
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
I have one child in the Fort Atkinson School District now and another will be following in the next couple of years. I want to make sure they are getting the best out of their education in every possible way. I know a lot of my experiences from different aspects of my life could benefit the School District of Fort Atkinson. I have a great knowledge of working with different boards or committees that help to make the decisions that benefit and affect many. The experience of sitting around a handful of different tables all with different needs that must be met to make their Mission and Visions work, I would love to incorporate that work into helping make the decisions that benefit all within the school district. Having an impact on my children’s life is a role I would like to be involved in inside and outside of our home. Being on the school board would give me the opportunity to make sure that the best interest of children, including my own, are being thought of.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
I think the most obvious has been the pandemic that we are still in two years later and how it is impacting our children and their learning – let alone making the right decisions so that they are safe at school. However, the school board is more than deciding if your child should wear a mask or not, it is all encompassing. The School District has many policies and procedures that need to be managed. These policies and procedures are made to make sure the district is meeting the Mission and Vision that it set forth for our school children and families. The School District has budgets that need to be evaluated and approved to ensure money is being used appropriately. This is done while also making sure all are getting what is needed to better the education of our school kids. The district reviews test scores that show how well our kids are learning and where improvements may be needed. As our district buildings begin to age decisions will need to be made that could impact not only our students but the community. The point I would most like to make is that this position is more than just deciding if our children should wear masks or not. This position ensures our children, our teachers, our education staff are given the support to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.
If elected, what unique perspective and experience do you bring to the board?
I have a history of working with many different types of teams to make sure various types of goals and outcomes are accomplished. This job cannot be done if a person is not willing to work with all on the board to help make the decisions that are needed, I have worked with many on different committees to accomplish similar things. Teamwork is key to making decisions that could affect a wide arrange of people. My occupation requires me to do just that. I am one person who is needed among many different areas or departments. I am utilized as one part of the team who makes decisions that affect all within our organization. This needs to be done by keeping all inputs and ideas on the table as we work together to determine what the best fit may be. I am also great at looking at all sides of a problem or issue, most issues or decisions need to have a global view for the best decision to be made. Jumping to conclusions does not lead to good outcomes, these decisions that will be made need to be based on what is best for all involved. Working in healthcare also gives me a great amount of empathy for our district kids and families. Empathy is a great characteristic in making sure that our families are getting the care and thought put into all the outcomes decided.
Any additional comments?
I am grateful and excited to be given this opportunity to represent the School District of Fort Atkinson and provide a different view when it comes to the many things that are presented through the school board. I am also glad that I could potentially be involved in the growth of our community’s children for the better. I am a PTO mom now, and I am happy that the small contributions I can provide to that committee allow for improvements in that one school. I really do hope that I can do the same for the entire School District of Fort Atkinson and its community.
Matt Loup
Age: 51
Address: 61 Shirley Street, Fort Atkinson
Occupation: stay-at-home parent
Number of years resided in school district: 19
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 impressed with the quality of education provided by Fort Atkinson public schools and by the relationship between the district and the community. I believe that when schools, families, and citizens work together we can better advocate for students, keeping them more engaged, motivated, and successful. The quality and breadth of education our children receive today is important for the future success of our society — it is our most valuable investment. That investment must be prudent, as a community’s resources are not unlimited. I would like to help the district craft policies that benefit students of all backgrounds, interests, and abilities, and work with district officials to continue careful stewardship of taxpayers’ money.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
Academic improvement: The primary function of public schools is to provide a quality education to our children. I believe that the strategic plan put forward by the district, in consultation with the community, rightly places high academic performance at the center of its goals. The district’s guiding principles include a commitment to ensure every learner has access to the educational resources and rigor they need and that Fort Atkinson graduates are career, college, and life-ready. There is room for improvement, and I’d like to help guide the district toward its academic achievement goals.
Health: Public schools, by law, have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for learning as well as health education. The past two years have redemonstrated the role our schools play in the health, safety, and well-being of our community. Just one example is the district’s efforts to provide meals to so many during remote learning. Recognizing that in-person learning is best for most students, we also understand that adequate support for school nurses and pupil services is vital to its success. The mental health of all students, staff, and parents must be prioritized, not just during crises. Assuring our schools have the appropriate tools and structures to provide healthy learning should be a common goal for our community.
Technology: The district must continue to provide adequate resources, training, and instruction in emerging technologies. Students should learn the benefits and pitfalls of our increasingly digital world. Schools provide a safe and contained environment to explore new technologies and develop the skills necessary for future success. Robust and easy-to-use technology can also give parents greater insight into their children’s academic progress and help them stay involved in their children’s education.
Finances: The varying level of federal and state support, as well as diversion of taxpayer money to unaccountable private schools in recent years, makes the district’s work somewhat more difficult. However, sound financial planning and practices put our public schools in a good position to succeed. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and knowledgeable business services department, and there are opportunities for growth within reasonable spending limits. Annual increase in pupil count and open enrollment is another of the district’s strategic plan goals. This increase would bolster the district’s finances. The issues mentioned above — academic improvement, health, and technology — affect a district’s ability to retain and attract students.
If elected, what unique perspective and experience do you bring to the board?
When my wife and I first came to Fort Atkinson, pride in its public schools was evident. That well-founded pride was a major reason for us to choose this as our new home.
As a member of Heart of the City, I met administrators and staff who were working to make our district buildings more environmentally and financially sustainable. Heart of the City helped publicize the district’s initiatives to reduce waste and energy consumption while saving taxpayer money.
I volunteered at my son’s elementary school, helping with the “learning fair” and the school garden. I worked with a middle school teacher who devoted her after-school time and energy to a robotics program. I’ve seen art and music classes display their talent at community events, making the city a more vibrant place. All these activities, created by teachers and supported by parents, enrich students’ experiences beyond just the “three Rs.”
Serving as “U10 commissioner” for FAYSA, I was impressed by the parent coaches’ dedication. They showed incredible enthusiasm and were invaluable in helping grow youth soccer in Fort Atkinson. I also appreciated the support provided by the district in giving a place for children to practice and compete. Many past FAYSA players are now part of the high school soccer teams, and the boys junior varsity coach is a former FAYSA parent volunteer.
Through these volunteer experiences, I’ve found that community involvement is crucial to a district’s success; a district’s success increases a community’s strength; and children come to every situation eager to learn — they just need a district and community willing to support them.
Any additional comments?
School board members should be open to citizens’ concerns and receptive to new ideas. We all must respect others’ opinions and work to achieve consensus, if not unanimity. Disagreement should not end discussion, because we are all in this together.
Dale Prisk
Age: 38
Address: 1212 Comanche Ct, Fort Atkinson WI
Occupation: Loan Officer
Number of years resided in the school district: 25+
Education: Fort High School
Civic and other organizational memberships: n/a
Political experience: voting each year and encouraging others to do the same
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
Mandating masks onto my grade school children is ultimately what pushed me into getting into this race. Even if it means their daddy might lose a couple of friends, or get invited to a few fewer gatherings along the way, I had to stand up for them. It broke my heart to see them having to do something none of us as parents ever had to do, wear a mask for hours a day while trying to develop. I realize it’s easier to just “go with the flow,” and do what’s easier sometimes, but that just ain’t me. If something doesn’t seem right to me, I can’t help but start asking questions, that should make sense. I got involved with attending and ultimately speaking at multiple meetings, then relaying my concerns to board members, but ultimately, it was largely falling on deaf ears. I’m seeking this position because I feel like I can bring some stability and a common-sense approach to problem-solving alongside this group.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
The biggest issue and problem I have at the moment is the unnecessary mandating of masking our children, we can’t go down that road again. They need to be able to socially interact with one another and to see the facial expressions of those they are speaking with. Since I don’t think you can learn as effectively masked as unmasked, all the classroom progress, for me, starts here. Then, we need to figure out a way for people on both sides of an issue to have real conversations again, and not just name-calling and retreating into our corners to hear opinions we disagree with. (on any topic really) We also have a big project coming up regarding the middle school, and I do believe that is an investment that is worth making if it can be done reasonably.
If elected, what unique perspective and experience do you bring to the board?
I’m a proud husband and father to 3 amazing children, 2 who go to school here now, and 1 that will in a few years from now. When you are a dad of 3, you need to be able to problem-solve on the fly sometimes and get a little creative. I’m also a mortgage lender by trade. So I’m used to communicating with people who might not always hear exactly what they want to hear but the truth is the truth. It’s always more fun to give someone the good news of course, but sometimes tough conversations need to be had, and I can handle those when they arise. I have the skill set of problem-solving effectively, and the backbone to stand on my convictions as well. I also have the perspective to realize I don’t know everything and have the humility to learn as I go too! I’m open to hearing out folks that disagree with me, with the hope that subsequently, we can find some middle ground after the dialogue. My best personal trait, I would say is my indomitable spirit, and that will be a huge plus to this board as well.
Any additional comments?
We should keep politics out of school boards. If I’m elected, I’m not coming off a board of any local political party, or closely tied to one. I’m just a local parent that believes in a common-sense approach that is centered around the idea of asking, “What is best for the kids.” I’m doing this for my kids, and I’m doing this for your kids too. I want all of our kids to just be kids again, they deserve it. We control our future, so it’s up to us to set an example.
If seeing someone maskless, or wearing a mask for that matter, instantly makes you angry then you are the person that needs to hear what I have to say. Stop being so judgemental towards people you disagree with, and just respect their choices and move on. Some will wear a mask, and others won’t it’s going to be the reality we live in for a while, so let’s make the best of it is my thought. I challenge anyone reading this to reach out to someone you know that disagrees with you on something, and see if you can talk it out, or at least move closer to something you agree on. Life is too short to lose friends and relationships over simple disagreements. We shouldn’t have to always agree, just to get along. I’m looking forward to winning a seat on the #1Fort board this spring.
Christopher J. Rogers
Age: 71
Address: 116 Wilson Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Number of years resided in school district: 71
Education:
- Fort Atkinson High School – 1968
- University of Wisconsin Madison – 1972
- Marquette Law School – 1975
Civic and other organizational memberships:
- LTL Foundation, LLC – Board Member & Officer
- Hoard Curtis Scout Camp – Board Member & Officer
- Fort Foundation – Board Member
- Duck’s Unlimited – Board Member
- Rock River Free Clinic – Board Member
Political experience: None
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
There are many problems that are confronting our School District. I want to ensure that solutions for problems are based upon facts and what is best for our students, and not based upon politics.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
The most pressing issue facing the position of school board member is outside pressure and/or influences upon the school board.
If elected, what unique perspective and experience do you bring to the board?
I am a life-long resident of the School District who graduated from our High School. I was the City Attorney of Fort Atkinson for 24 years, so I have an understanding of governmental law. I was also the attorney for the school board. For many years, I have been the parliamentarian at the annual meeting of the School District.
Any additional comments?
I received an excellent education from our schools which was greatly instrumental in my future endeavors. This was also the case for my children. I am determined that our present students have the same opportunities.
Robynn Selle
Age: 46
Address: W7526 Koshkonong Mounds Road, Fort Atkinson, WI
Occupation: Director, Turner Construction Company
Number of years resided in school district: 17
Education: BS, Construction Engineering, Purdue University; JD, McKinney School of Law (formerly IU-Indianapolis School of Law)
Civic and other organizational memberships:
Editor’s note: the following civic and organizational memberships have been added by the candidate in response to recent concerns shared with Fort Atkinson Online that a position as treasurer with the Democratic Party of Jefferson County had been omitted from the candidate’s questionnaire responses. Selle, responding by phone to Fort Atkinson Online, said she stepped down from the position last year. She is currently not a member of any civic or other organizational group, she said, and originally responded “none” on the questionnaire, which, she said, represented her current affiliations. She has updated her form to include past memberships to offer full disclosure, she added.
Political experience: none
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
I have wanted to serve on the school board for some time. Between my career and raising young kids, the time has not been right for that commitment until now. I have chosen this time because my children are older and more independent, and the demands of my career are such that I will be able to commit fully to a position on the school board. My family moved to Fort Atkinson 17 years ago with our oldest being 3 months old. We did not expect to make this a permanent move. However, this community offered so much to our young family on so many levels that we now consider this home. The School District has been and continues to be a significant part of that community. My family benefits from the time and effort of those that make this community such a great place to raise our family. I seek this position knowing that I will bring a unique skill set to the school board with my educational background and career experience. Public service is an important responsibility in our City and School District that can be met in a number of ways. This is an area of service that fits my strengths. I do not have an agenda except to work with the school district to achieve the mission and vision of the Fort Atkinson School District.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
The most pressing issues we face as a school district are the infrastructure needs and facility improvements within the district, the fiscal responsibility of the district being mindful of how it spends money, clear communication to the community on options and decisions and the safety of everyone in the school district. Goal areas of the district include having a learning community that exemplifies an inclusive culture of growth, being a district with community distinction as the preferred educational option in the region and achieving high performance ratings from the State of Wisconsin. If elected as a school board member, I will work with district personnel on these pressing issues to ensure decisions are aligned with the district’s vision, mission, guiding principles, and goal areas.
If elected, what unique perspective and experience do you bring to the board?
I bring education in both engineering and law which enables me to think critically, look at situations from all angles, and develop solutions. I ask questions first to better understand situations and the deeper root cause of issues to solve problems. I recognize the strengths and expertise others bring to the discussion. Additionally, I bring career experience of 20+ years in the construction industry where I have developed skills to communicate clearly, provide organizational and strategic thinking, and work successfully on multi-disciplinary, cross-functional teams. Finally, I bring my experience and perspective as a parent of three children (currently in grades 8, 10, and 12), with whom I have been through all grade levels of education that Fort Atkinson School District offers.
Any additional comments?
First and foremost, I am a mom who cares deeply about my kids. Starting in 4k, I have watched each of them succeed and stumble through school. There have been times I have been frustrated with policy or rules in the district or at a particular school and I have openly expressed my opinions and talked with school and district administrators. However, most times I am overwhelmed and brought to tears by the deep level of commitment and care that the teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria workers, custodial staff, district administrators, and all the unsung heroes who work in the district show every day to the children who attend Fort Atkinson School District schools. From personally knowing staff in the district to participating in referendum discussions and attending superintendent roundtable meetings, I have witnessed over and over again how much this district cares about the kids. I would be very proud to serve as a school board member and play a role in shaping the future of the School District of Fort Atkinson.
Rebecca Van Ess
Age: 37
Address: 1320 Riverside Dr, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
Occupation: I am an independent contractor as a Non Emergency Medical Transporter. I have been taking time off during Covid to homeschool my children and intend to resume work once the 2021/22 school year is over.
Number of years resided in school district: 18
Education: Graduated from Milton High School in 2003 and a participant of self-directed continuing education in the fields of leadership development, and health and wellness, and a participant in online courses for Christian counseling.
Civic and other organizational memberships: I do not belong to any organizations.
Political experience: As far as political experience goes, I don’t have much. However, I organized and led the Tea Party of 2008 on Main Street in front of the Municipal building, where I go every morning, for this season, to dance before the Lord and pray over and for our community. I also helped to start the Rock River Patriots.
What are your reasons for seeking this position?
My reason for seeking this position is because I feel that we have moved away from the conservative, freedom loving principals that our country was founded on.
What are the most pressing issues facing the position you seek?
The most pressing issues that I face 1st and foremost is to bring unity back to the Fort school district. Obviously, there is a clear divide about how to properly handle covid effectively. I stand firmly on freedom. Freedom to research and speak without being hindered by the censorship of information. Why do we beat our heads up against a brick wall that is getting us nowhere? Let us set aside the things we disagree on and focus on what we do agree on so that we can get back to a safe and healthy learning environment.
The next pressing issue that I face is the curriculum as we see scores falling lower and lower, and a decrease in enrollment of the Fort Atkinson school district. I stand firm on the foundation of the basics – reading, writing, and arithmetic — as our main focus for public education. That’s how it was for generations and our country was thriving. Why did we change it? Look at how it has negatively affected our children. Clearly, getting away from reading, writing, and arithmetic has had negative impacts on them. Therefore, I am all for getting rid of Common Core and related curriculum, as I feel that these topics are not only hurting our children but destroying the foundation of our country. All other subjects are open for debate in my book.
If elected, what unique perspective and experience do you bring to the board?
I feel that I have a lot to bring to the table as a board member. I have a unique perspective which goes outside of the box in solving problems. I have been engaged in a self-directed education for the last 14 years. I started off learning about leadership and self-development. I learned many things, but in this situation, I think the most relevant to the community is that of PDCA-Plan, Do, Check, and Adjust. I learned what it means to be a leader, someone who leads by example and is willing to take responsibility for the outcomes and not pass the buck. I have learned to examine other arguments with an open mind in order to make a decision and adjust accordingly.
As a single mother, faced with challenging dilemmas often, I have learned to think outside the box and find solutions that didn’t seem possible. As a homeschooling parent, I have a very different perspective on education, it’s purposes and what success looks like. We are unique and different. We don’t all fit into the same mold. How dare we limit our children with such cookie cutter modes of education. I believe that to truly educate our children means to build within them a love of learning because it is a lifelong process and should never end. I also have a very strong faith in God, which is what our country was founded on. Those principles are what made America the greatest free country in the world, until we began to move away from them, removing God from our schools and government. I have been persecuted by the best of them and still stand firm to what I believe. I cannot be bought, and you will always know where I stand on every topic.
Any additional comments?
I care very deeply about my community, which is why I have dedicated myself to playing the specific role that is mine, that no one else can fill except me. I encourage everyone to find your role and commit to fulfilling it, whatever that may be. We all have a role to play within the community to make it a successful, thriving, united community. One in which we all feel safe, and free to be who we were created to be.
An earlier story about the six candidates is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/six-vie-for-two-open-fort-school-board-seats-a-february-primary-will-be-held/.
A map of the School District of Fort Atkinson, shown above, can be viewed in more detail on the district’s website: 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 would like to know what Mr. Rodgers meant when he said the greatest concern of his was the outside pressures on the School Board, what did he mean specifically. Pressures from whom, from where, financially or politically? This does sound distressing to me as well.
Thank you.