Five running for three seats on Willmar School Board

WILLMAR - Five candidates are on the Nov. 6 ballot for three seats on the Willmar School Board.

The three top candidates will serve four-year terms on the board.

Candidates are Mary Amon, Teresa Larsen, Jay Lawton, Michelle Marotzke and Michael O'Brien. Amon is the only incumbent running for re-election, so the board will have at least two newcomers on the board next year.

The Tribune asked candidates to answer questions about their reasons for running and the issues they'd like to tackle as board members. Their answers are listed below.

Larsen, an ordained minister and a missionary who lives in Willmar, said she was out of the country and did not receive the information until after the deadline. While the Tribune was able to give her a short extension on the deadline, Larsen ultimately chose not to participate in the questionnaire.

After she filed in August, Larsen said she filed to run "because I wanted to get involved in the political process in America, because I think there's a huge need for people who will support righteous living and righteous ideas."

Mary M. Amon

Age: 53

Family: Husband, Anthony; four children, Gabriel, Amelia, Natalie and Dominic

Education: Breckenridge High School, Breckenridge; Concordia College, Moorhead; medical school at University of Minnesota Duluth and University of Minnesota Minneapolis

Occupation: Physician and owner of Family Practice Medical Center, Willmar

Why are you running for the school board?

I ran initially a year ago in the special election to fill a vacancy and complete a vacated term on the board. In this year, I have learned about the function of a public school district and the responsibility of a school board. I have now completed a full year cycle in the life of a school board, including negotiations and levy issues. I have completed three state level training workshops. I believe I will be fully effective all four years with the knowledge I have gained in the experiences of the last year.

Please name the top two or three issues you believe the Willmar School Board is facing.

Teacher and staff recruitment and retention will continue to be a major issue as it is for all employers in our current environment.

With the change in state leadership, education funding might be a challenge in the next two to three years. We will need to continue excellent fiscal responsibility in allocating funds over the next years while providing top education and employment opportunities in the district.

Student achievement is the reason we are here. Trying to keep class sizes appropriate in our elementary schools is important in achieving success. This relates to both staff retention and funding.

How would you like to see the board handle the issues you listed above?

Our students need to continue to have rigorous college preparatory coursework. With the addition of technical experiences in the high school, there should be increased opportunity for career exploration for our students.

The school board should communicate with the communities involved in the school district to gain trust and support for the schools.

The school board can work with the communities to attract businesses and families to the area. Everyone belonging to the school district should be involved in helping to create schools where people want to work and families want their children to attend. The addition of Lakeland Elementary is an excellent example of community support for the school district and desire to provide for the future of the area.

Jay Lawton

Age: 61

Family: Wife, Diane; two adult daughters

Education: Approximately two years of college

Occupation: Inventory logistics coordinator for Jennie-O Turkey Store

Why are you running for the school board?

I am running for school board as I have a strong desire to serve the community and our students and staff. This is my second run for the school board though I have held numerous positions on boards and task forces through the years. I have a desire to see Willmar Public Schools continue to be a place where our students receive a quality education and to provide our staff with equitable compensation and the resources needed to teach effectively.

Please name the top two or three issues you believe the Willmar School Board is facing.

As with most districts, the number one issue facing the school board is the area of finances. We can't provide quality education without facilities and supplies. It's important for us to educate voters on just how important the levies we request are to providing quality education.

Another issue we face is timely contract negotiations with our staff. The board has taken steps to improve this and they should be applauded for that.

We also need to look at how we deal with our students who are still learning English as well as students on the free and reduced lunch program who have needs that traditional students don't face. I'm not criticizing the current programs, but we need to be constantly looking at ways to improve.

How would you like to see the board handle the issues you listed above?

The board needs to be a cheerleader for new levies and help the voting public understand the importance of what they are funding.

As for contract negotiations, the board has taken a step in the right direction by obtaining outside negotiating assistance. I believe we can always improve communication between the teachers and the board. It's important for these negotiations to be conducted in a respectful manner and working together to determine the best use of the limited financial resources the district has available.

We also need to continue to look into the best practices for students learning English as a second language. Is it best to try to mainstream these students before they are proficient in English or should we be working on their language skills and regular material in a separate program?

Michelle Marotzke

Age: 43

Family: One adult son

Education: I hold an associate degree in finance and credit management from Alexandria Technical College, a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in business administration from Southwest Minnesota State University.

Occupation: I am an analyst and safety coordinator for Willmar Municipal Utilities.

Why are you running for the school board?

Education and community service are lifelong passions of mine. This opportunity allows me to not only combine those passions but to use the business and analytical skills from my education and work experience in guiding decisions about the district's future. I feel that the Willmar School District has a lot to offer students and community members, and I want to be a part of building those relationships.

Please name the top two or three issues you believe the Willmar School Board is facing.

Staff shortages and funding.

How would you like to see the board handle the issues you listed above?

There is no question that there is a shortage of qualified education professionals in Greater Minnesota, and Willmar is no exception. I would like to see the board evaluate current and potential recruitment opportunities for all staff levels. Willmar is a terrific community with many opportunities and our school district has stable enrollment with some business growth in the community.

Regardless of the industry, funding is a high priority and even more so when it uses taxpayer dollars. School finance is complicated, so sometimes it may seem to a voter that the school "just needs money again" or they are "just cutting programs and jobs." Voters may not fully understand why these actions are done or the impact it will have in the community. I will ask questions so that they make sense to me and I am able to explain them to the voting members of the community.

Michael O'Brien

Age: 69

Family: Wife, Stacey; three children, Kasey, Matthew, Dallen

Education: I have a degree in law enforcement.

Occupation: Retired conservation officer. Currently a substitute paraprofessional in Willmar Public Schools. Willmar Bus school bus driver for special needs students.

Why are you running for the school board?

My wife and I moved to Willmar last June, and I inquired about helping the district as a paraprofessional sub. People approached me before the deadline and asked if I would consider being on the board. I decided at 4:45 p.m. the last day and paid my $2 and signed on the dotted line at approximately 5 p.m.

Please name the top two or three issues you believe the Willmar School Board is facing.

In my first three months, I received more than 600 calls requesting my assistance as a sub. When I did find the time to help, I could immediately see the shortage of paraprofessionals and substitute paras.

I also saw students with behavioral issues that may have been better placed in a different school environment.

I saw classrooms that were overcrowded, and teachers struggled to maintain order and teach like they wanted and were trained.

How would you like to see the board handle the issues you listed above?

I have discussed the above issues with many in the community. The Willmar School District does and will have a much larger issue with overcrowding, There must be a plan soon to build more schools. Level 4 (for special education students with the highest needs) schools need to be built near.

For the good of all students and faculty, students need to be tested for special needs and placed in the proper school setting.

I have no agenda, I just want to help this district if I can and as much as I can.

To be an effective board member you must work as a team with your superintendent, board chair, board members, faculty, students and parents. You must be willing to put in the time it takes to be an effective board member. It is a very time-consuming position.