School Board Candidates Answer Our Questions

Three candidates will square off for two seats on the Mount Horeb Area Board of Education in the April 7 election. The candidates are James Myers and Jessica Arrigoni, both of whom would be newcomers to the board, as well as incumbent Diana Rothamer, who is currently the board’s president. Incumbent Damon Piscitelli will not seek another term.

School board voting is at large, and the top two vote-getters will both earn three-year terms on the board. 

“Due to some upcoming personal and professional obligations, I just don’t have the time that a school board position deserves,” said Piscitelli, who is a teacher in another district. “I completely enjoyed my time serving, especially the interactions with other board members, staff, students, and community members.”

“I have been impressed with the passion that our community has for our kids and our schools,” Piscitelli continued. “I strongly encourage anyone with an interest to run for a school board position at some point. It is an incredibly educational and rewarding experience.”

Arrigoni has lived in Mount Horeb since 2007. She and her husband have three children in the Mount Horeb schools; one at the high school, one at the middle school, and one at the Intermediate Center. For the past eleven years she has worked as an education researcher at the UW-Madison Wisconsin Center for Education Research.

Myers and his wife, Jaime, have been a part of the Mount Horeb community since 2010, following  what he calls “a very intentional search” for a community they could call home. They have three children in 4K, first and third grade

Rothamer has served on the board for the past six years. For the past three she has been its president. She has three children enrolled in the Mount Horeb Area School District, in grades 5, 9 and 12, respectively.

 

Why are you running for a seat on the Mount Horeb Area Board of Education? 

 

Arrigoni: As a professional, I have been studying teaching and learning, and what works best for kids. I would like to bring what I have learned to our school district in order to help each of our students be successful. In addition, our School Board is currently losing it’s only member who has an education background so this is an opportune time for me to join the Board and fill this void.  

 

Myers: Public education is intimately tied to the vitality of our community which is why I am running for the School Board. With a young family I have a vested interest in the success of our schools and I can bring a positive outlook and perspective to the already numerous exciting things going on in the district.  I strongly believe we have the most capable and caring staff within our district, and they need our support and proper tools to best serve our children. As a Financial Advisor, I understand financial challenges of retired residents on a fixed income and as a father of a young family I understand the desires to expand opportunities to the youth of Mount Horeb. I have the common sense and wherewithal to understand that all opportunities come with a price.  My knowledge and experience will be a valuable supplement to the existing Board of Education.

 

Rothamer: I am proud to live in Mount Horeb and send my kids to Mount Horeb schools.  I have been very grateful to be a part of the board for the past six years, which has allowed me the opportunity to serve the community that I love.  I am running for another term on the school board to continue the collaboration that we have enjoyed for the past six years.  The board has sought input from teachers and staff along with our community about important issues facing the district.  We need to ensure that our teachers and staff feel supported and valued so that we can continue to retain the wonderful people who teach and support our kids. 

 

Which qualities, skills and/or experiences make you stand out as a candidate? 

 

Arrigoni: My professional knowledge and background in education. My skills as a qualitative researcher and program evaluator. My experiences volunteering on the School Board’s Community and Legislative Engagement committee, with the Mount Horeb Music Boosters, and in classrooms which have provided me with useful insights and connections across the district. My personal experience raising three children in the Mount Horeb schools. 

 

Myers: The ability to be able to listen while being open minded to see others’ points of view are two qualities that I possess which is valuable and beneficial to the school board.  Together with the existing board, I can bring a refreshing, positive outlook and perspective while offering valuable vision and insight.

 

Rothamer: As a result of my six years on the board, I have an expanded knowledge of school finance and demonstrated ability to provide leadership to the board. I have a record of promoting both community, staff, and student representation at full board meetings as well as at the committee level. It is important that we continue to seek input from all stakeholders. I also have extensive experience with contracts and negotiation. My background in mental health and insurance gives me a unique perspective on the issues that students and families are facing as they struggle to navigate the national shortage. 

 

What is the district currently doing well? 

 

Arrigoni: There are many things the district is doing well. For example, the district’s response to mental health needs, the expansion of student apprenticeships and community business partnerships, the increase of scheduled time for teacher collaboration at the Primacy Center and Intermediate Center, the additional time built in to the schedule for high school students to connect with teachers, the expansion of summer learning opportunities, and the work principals have done to create respectful school culture.  

 

Myers: The MHSD is in a good place right now, and I would like to use the current structure as a platform to make sure we are always progressing forward.  The transportation department is in a much better place than it once was and leadership across the district is now stable.

 

Rothamer: The district has fantastic teachers and staff members. People who truly care about our kids—not just the academic life of our kids, but the whole child. The board has created of an expanded strategic plan providing direction and input, as well as a framework for regular reporting from administrators and others. Both provide a clear vision for the future. We have focused on recognizing students for their accomplishments both academic and co-curricular.

 

In what areas could it improve? 

 

Arrigoni: One area of improvement is to continue to work to address equity and opportunity gaps. Equity issues are different in every district but nonetheless present. One way for the district to address equity is to conduct a districtwide equity audit that includes an action plan of strategies to address identified inequities. Further, if we are to eliminate achievement gaps and build a culture of trust, equity needs to be a consistent focus that guides and informs all work in the district. 

 

Myers: Mental health has been an issue in our great community and our district has made great strides recently.  There is not a definitive answer or solution to mental health issues and this does not just rest on the district alone.  This is something that the school district has identified and is continuing to do its part, but together we can all improve.

 

Rothamer: I would like to see additional opportunities for kids in science and technology. Expanded writing curriculum is needed as well. Along with further expansion of mental health supports and ensuring that we have schools that are free of mental health stigma.

 

The local school district includes about 2,500 students. It receives $30 million in funding annually, and receives 40 percent of the local tax bill. Talk about the current state of school funding, and your vision for its future? 

 

Arrigoni: As a district we need to continue to push for increased state funding of public schools in Wisconsin. We need a state and local budget that is supportive of educators and represents our belief that teachers are professionals, that attracts new teachers and staff, and retains current teachers, staff, and principals. Our local district budget also needs to reflect current student needs and reflect the district’s values by allocating funds for mental health, special education, technology, the arts, ongoing professional learning for educators, and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.    

 

Myers: When any resource is discussed, idea is proposed or imminent change is required, ultimately there needs to be funding in place.  I fully understand that there is an end to all means and funding is not limitless.  Nobody likes to have their taxes increased, but at the same time we need to look at the value which is gained for our future.  As a member of the Board of Education I will take this financial responsibility serious.

 

Rothamer: I have always pushed for the thoughtful use of resources that provide quality results with maximum impact. Along with being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars, school boards need to advocate with legislators for the needs of the students they serve.  Boards also need to educate the community about the issues they are facing. Our community and legislative engagement committee does just that by promoting the needs of the district and raising awareness of the issues.  Boards also should be actively exploring and applying for grants to increase funding levels and cooperating with local leaders and community members to ensure the continued growth of their communities. 

 

What role can/should local schools play in addressing mental health issues in the community? 

 

Arrigoni: Social-emotional skill development needs to be integrated with academic content and mental health issues cannot be separated from academic achievement. I suspect that all of our teachers agree that a student cannot succeed if they are experiencing mental health issues. The district can help address mental health issues by furthering the efforts they have already begun: bringing mental health concerns to the forefront so that we can address them openly; establishing partnerships with mental health providers; having school social workers and psychologists available to help students; and sharing resources with families. In addition to the work being done, the district can be more purposeful about incorporating social emotional skill development in instruction.  

 

Myers: It is critical that every student and staff member feels safe and respected in our schools and community.  Mental health is a concern and I believe that our schools need to play a part in this just like our community needs to, along with our families at home.  

 

Rothamer: Schools need to partner with families and the community to support mental wellness. Schools can serve as a vital resource, but cannot do it alone. We must work with families and the community. During my time on the board, we have added social workers and school psychologists and have partnered with great organizations to help identify and treat kids who are struggling. We have provided educational opportunities for our teachers and staff, helping them to support kids in the classroom and expanding the ability of teachers to refer students for services. We still have more we can do. We need to provide our students with opportunities where they can develop and thrive. Providing supports and offering a wide range of educational and co-curricular choices for students, allows them to form bonds with other individuals and increase their sense of self-worth. 

 

 Last year, the Mount Horeb Area School District completed work on $38.5 million in building expansion and upgrades approved and paid for through a voter referendum. It was the largest successful referendum in district history, and future referenda are currently in the works. What role should these ballot measures play in funding the district? 

 

Arrigoni: We are fortunate to live in a community that supports our school district through referendum. We are also fortunate that we don’t have to propose referendums to cover general operating costs of the school district. I believe seeking input from the community on possible funding needs and using referendum to enhance facilities and address district growth is an appropriate use of referendums.   

 

Myers: The support of the community is vital in in these capital projects.  From this past referendum, the community showed support for this funding and it was absolutely needed to support the infrastructure and ensure the safety of our buildings.  Future referendums will need to look at the continuing changing needs of our students and staff.  The Board of Education’s role is to make sure that these funds are spend prudently and can be stretched as much as possible. 

 

Rothamer: I am grateful to the community for their support of the most recent referendum. We spent more than a year soliciting input from staff, students, and the community prior to asking the community to support these projects. Unfortunately, the current state funding formula doesn’t allow for resources to pay for building expansion. Having a referendum on the ballot allows the community to decide. It is the ultimate survey of support for our school facilities

 

The world is changing. Technology is changing. The way people work, connect, communicate, teach and learn is changing as well. Brick and mortar jobs are going away, and automation is fundamentally shifting the job market away from many blue collar jobs that were once the bedrock of the American economy. What do schools need to do to keep up and prepare students for the world (and the workforce) as it will be, not as it once was? 

 

Arrigoni: We live in an ever-changing, multicultural world. In order to best prepare our students, schools should include learning around teamwork, communication skills, critical thinking, problem solving, self-motivation, good work habits, social and emotional skills, and cultural competence. In addition, our schools should strive to encourage a growth mindset, creativity, and service to our communities. 

 

Myers: Change is difficult but as a community we need to be welcoming and embrace the fact that the world is changing and we do need to adapt to stay on cutting edge to allow our students the best chance of success.  I embrace change and the Board of Education needs to be welcoming of these changes as well.  This means listening, and accepting of non-traditional ideas that will provide necessary resources.

 

Rothamer: Technology is a part of our student’s lives in a way that today’s adults haven’t experienced. It engages students to support and deepen learning. I believe that the district should invest in well thought out strategies and curriculum to prepare kids for their future including technology. Because technology changes so fast, we need to make sure that kids are equipped with sound problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to new ideas and technologies using research-proven strategies.

 

In 2019, a local group of parents and educators proposed the creation of a public charter school in the Mount Horeb Area School District, located at the current Intermediate Center and funded in part by a $700,000 federal education grant being offered through the state. The proposal called for a charter school focused on third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students, based on the idea that “learning activities require students to apply knowledge to real problems, use multiple investigative methods, and create products of value beyond the classroom.” Current school board members have been critical of the proposal and shut down talks with the group late last year. What’s your take on it? 

 

Arrigoni: Public charter schools can be fantastic additions to school districts. There are some great examples in Wisconsin, Lodi’s Ouisconsing School of Collaboration, Clark Street in Middleton, and Valley New in Appleton to name just a few. Charter schools can enhance a district’s ability to meet all student needs and allow a space for innovative practices. The decision to create a charter school in any district should follow reflection on the district’s mission and strategic plan, a review of student needs, established desire from its teachers and community, and thorough homework by the school district. 

 

Myers: There are many moving parts to the Charter school proposal to consider.  As mentioned, we need to consider many non-traditional ways of thinking to enhance our education while being aware of what we are sacrificing.  Currently, we have a great staff at that level who works very hard to offer the diversity of learning opportunities.  Like other ideas, there has to be a strong need for this and it needs to make sense financially.

 

Rothamer: It’s fantastic that our community has people who are invested in and supportive of educational opportunities for kids in our district. I welcome hearing ideas and innovative approaches to education from members of the community. We owe it to the community to listen when they present new ideas and look for ways that we can partner to provide the best educational opportunities for all kids. The decision timeframe given to the board was quick at a time when a major building project was finishing up in anticipation for the start of the school year. The group was asked if they would be open to partnering in different ways for the benefit of the kids in our district.

 

How do you define the school board’s roles and responsibilities, and what is your understanding of policy governance? 

 

Arrigoni: The district policy manual states that the School Board is charged with policy making. It further explains that the Board can only take official action when meeting as a group in a legal session. The policy also defines the standards that the Board shall meet. The School Board as a whole should represent the community’s values and vision for the school district. Policy governance gives the Board and the superintendent a structure and roles to effectively work together based on an identified philosophy, guiding principles, and agreed upon processes. 

Myers: I understand policy governance and the necessity for the board to apply all the principals in its process and decision making.  I do not believe the Board of Education should micro-manage in any way the great facility and staff that we have in place.  We have tremendous leaders in our schools and classrooms and the board’s primary role should let them do what they are passionate about and be a center of resource.

 

Rothamer: The school board has two main responsibilities.  The first is to provide overall direction to the district through the writing and adoption of policies.  The second is to recruit, hire and supervise the superintendent. Day-to-day operational decisions and tasks are not handled by the board in a policy governance model. It is important to work in collaboration with the administration and staff for the advancement of our district.  

 

Do you fully understand Robert’s Rules of Order? What steps would you take to ensure the board is transparent, honest and open in its dealings with the public? 

 

Arrigoni: I do understand Robert’s Rules of Order and they are in use for two other Boards that I sit on. To ensure board transparency, meeting dates and locations should be well advertised and meeting minutes and recordings of meetings should be easily accessible to the public. In addition, the use of closed sessions should be limited to the areas defined by state statute and when used, the topic of the closed session should be announced prior to the session.  

 

Myers: Yes, I understand Roberts Rules of Order.  This is a position representing the community and there has to be complete open and honest transparency.

 

Rothamer: For the six years I have been on the board, we have used Robert’s Rules of Order as a guide in our meetings. I fully believe in transparency of the board and seeking input from stakeholders. I have shown this through the board’s use of surveys and listening sessions seeking input from the community. 

 

If elected, what are your top priorities? 

 

Arrigoni: One of the issues I hope to address is student engagement through personalized instruction. The district has identified personalized learning in its strategic plan and expanding personalization can be done by introducing personalized learning plans and building in time for conferring between students and teachers. Our teachers have identified the essential standards for our students to learn, and our students can be empowered to guide their own learning to meet those standards and demonstrate their understanding. 

 

Myers: The MHSD is in a good place right now, and I would like to use the current structure as a platform to make sure we are always progressing forward. It is critical that every student and staff member feels safe and respected in our schools and community.  My top priority would be making sure the teachers have what they need to be successful on a daily basis.

 

Rothamer: My vision for the future includes a comprehensive, rigorous K-12 curriculum that meets kids where they are in their educational path.  Along with the expansion of mental health supports, I would like to see the augmentation of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) opportunities for our students. Increased community engagement regarding the direction of the district both in the areas of educational needs for future generations and facility decisions, as well as partnerships that benefit students and the district as a whole.

 

What are the school district’s biggest challenges

 

Arrigoni: Preparing our students to be kind and skilled citizens in a multicultural world where the workforce is rapidly changing. As a School Board and community, we need to value and build a system that teaches learning to learn, cultural competence, collaboration, communication skills, and participation in building a sustainable future.    

 

Myers: Our most valued resource is the staff of teachers in this district.  One of our biggest challenges is how do we attract and retain the outstanding talent of these teachers which is vital to our success.  I believe that leadership is now in place across the district and I can’t wait to see how these teachers prosper from this stability. 

 

Rothamer: The district has made great strides in updating curriculum in the past few years. We are implementing a new math curriculum next year. Student achievement is good, but we need to make sure that we work to see improvement in all kids. Early identification of students needing mental health supports along with assisting students and their families in accessing services.

 

 What are its biggest opportunities? 

 

Arrigoni: Embrace what makes every student unique and help them find personalized academic and career paths, and help them develop skills for the 21st century. Teach students social and emotional skills, including kindness and empathy so that they thrive in our multicultural world. Support and empower the work of the teachers, principals, and staff as they create the environments that nurture student learning. 

 

Myers: In my mind, I believe the biggest opportunities is the unknown and where do we go from here.  When you look at our recent past and envision the next 10 years, I believe MHSD will be vastly different and something that we can all be proud of.  Having a community with an open mind for change is what is most exciting while at the same time our biggest opportunity.

 

Rothamer: The district has had great success in partnering with local businesses for the benefit of students. We are able to offer work programs allowing students to learn skills and explore different careers by getting hands-on experience. I would like to see an expansion of these partnerships.

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