MEET THE ELMBROOK BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATES Six candidates are vying for three seats on the School District of Elmbrook’s Board of Education. Because Board members represent the entire District, all residents can select one candidate for each seat. The District will hold an Area III primary election on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 with the top two vote-getters joining the Area 1 and At-Large candidates in the spring election on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Each candidate was asked to respond to the following two questions and their answers are included, as presented. 1) Why have you chosen to seek election to the Elmbrook Board of Education? 2) What personal philosophies and experience do you have that will help you best represent the Elmbrook electorate?
KATHRYN WILSON (INCUMBENT) – AT-LARGE
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1185 Simon Drive, Brookfield 53005 WilsonForElmbrook@gmail.com
▼ Question 1: Educating children is a moral enterprise, a civic duty, and a personal passion. When I first ran for School Board, I proposed that we begin with a goal in mind–the kind of education we want for our children–and build delivery systems and financial structures to support the goal. Since then, the Board has established processes to do just that: continuous curriculum improvement, outcome and accountability measures, student-focused objectives, and a budget built around learning goals rather than things. I am conscious daily of the blessings afforded by a great education, and I want as much for every student. Question 2: My experience includes public and independent schools, homeschooling, civic and faith-based community service, and seven years on the Board of Education. Now more than ever, students need a solid knowledge base and analytic ability to assess whatever comes their way, and they need communication skills and perseverance to move their ideas forward. Elmbrook is leading the way in academic excellence, innovation and fiscal responsibility. I’m honored to be a part of this work. Family: Spouse: Farshid Farrokhnia; Four children: two graduates, two enrolled in grades 9 and 12; District Resident: 20 years; Education: B.A. English Literature and Language, engineering minor, Michigan State University, 1986; Recent awards/recognition: Board of Education Vice-President, President; Profession: homemaker, guardian/care-giver for disabled adult; prior experience in technical writing and facilitation for CAD-CAM engineering systems, financial industry, and computer services; non-profit grant writing; teaching adults.
JON DZURAK – AREA I
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3340 Bradee Road, Brookfield 53005 engagelearners@aol.com
▼ Question 1: I would be humbled to be able to serve in the community I have called home for the majority of my life. Even though in previous years I enjoyed coaching baseball at Central and football at East, I am still looking for a greater good or purpose that could be fulfilled by helping all stakeholders and especially students. I truly believe that, with my experience, I can help our Elmbrook students reach all of their aspirations. Question 2: I am very fortunate that as a native son of Brookfield, I was able to have the K-12 Elmbrook experience and graduate from East. My personal philosophy aligns well with the Elmbrook mission statement of educating and inspiring every student, to think, to learn and to succeed. I am a lifelong learner who has served as a teacher at every grade level including regular and special education classrooms. As a school administrator I have been a Special Education Supervisor and I am proud to serve in my current role as an Assistant High School Principal. District Resident: 48 years; Education: Brookfield East High School (1975), B.A.- UW-Madison, Education (1980), M.A.- Cardinal Stritch, Special Education (1991), Ed.D.- University of Sarasota, Curriculum and Instruction (2001); Recent awards/recognition: Wisconsin Athletic Service Award (Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association), Land O’ Lakes Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2014 (Brookfield Lakers); Profession: Assistant Principal and Athletic Administrator, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, Milwaukee Public Schools
ALLISON MALNAR – AREA I
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2810 Meadowside Court, Brookfield 53005 allisonmalnar@gmail.com
▼ Question 1: One of the best gifts we can give our children is the confidence that comes from an exceptional education and lifelong love of learning. This recipe for success is already found in our district–involved parents, phenomenal teachers and invested administrators. I want to make sure that we offer the best and most extensive curriculum to our children. I am passionate about education, specifically curriculum. As a mother of four, I see first-hand where there is room for improvement. I believe that a solid foundation in core subjects is imperative, especially with the advancement of technology. Question 2: As an involved mother of school age children, I consistently interact with parents and youth in my home, while volunteering in the school and while serving in our community. These experiences have given me a pulse on the community. I hear the positive and negative feedback from parents, students and seasoned Elmbrook residents. I am approachable and enjoy interacting with people. This connection will help me be a voice for the Elmbrook electorate; what affects your children, affects mine. Family: Spouse: Benjamin Malnar; 4 Children: 1 Pilgrim Park Middle School, 2 Dixon Elementary School, 1 preschool-Dixon next year; District Resident: 12 years; Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN, BYU (1996-2002); Profession: Homemaker; Community Volunteer-12 years
JIMMY SCHULGIT – AREA III
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19135 Still Point Trail, Brookfield 53045 electjimmyschulgit@gmail.com
▼ Question 1: I have lived in Brookfield my entire life and have a great appreciation for our community. I also intend to raise a family here so I am invested in the district’s future success. The Elmbrook School District is the best in the state and one of the best in the nation and I would like to do my part to help the district maintain this level of achievement. Question 2: The most important trait in a school member is being a good listener. I plan to listen to parents, teachers, and all district residents when on the board. My goals include maintaining local control, ensuring adequate resources for special needs education, and equipping Elmbrook students with the tools they need to compete in the 21st economy. District Resident: Lifelong
JIAN SUN – AREA III
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2135 La Rochelle Court, Brookfield 53045 Sun4Elmbrook@gmail.com
▼ Question 1: I want to contribute a fresh, global perspective to the School Board. My qualifications as an educational entrepreneur with a broad business background will enable me to encourage students, parents, teachers, and administrators to identify and nurture excellence in order to help Elmbrook achieve national recognition. As first generation immigrants, my wife and I are tremendously grateful for the opportunities that Elmbrook has provided for our family, and I feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back. Question 2: I like setting big goals and I understand how to take incremental steps to achieve them. In fifteen years of working with dozens of Fortune 500 companies, I have uniquely accommodated the needs of diverse departments, developed creative and specific solutions, attracted and retained best workforces, and adhered to deadlines and budgets. I have challenged hundreds of students to recognize their strengths and find the self-motivation to pursue their goals. I have worked with many schools, worldwide, and will suggest ideas and available resources to integrate their successful processes and programs into the Elmbrook School District. Family: Spouse: Nianhong Liu; Two children: Son Steve Sun graduated from Brookfield Central High School. Daughter Sophia Sun is currently a junior at Brookfield Central High School. Steve and Sophia both attended Brookfield Elementary School and Wisconsin Hills Middle School. District Resident: 17 years; Education: Master in Chemistry (1995), Master in Mathematics (1996) and Master of Business Administration (2003) from Marquette University; BS in Chemistry from Peking University, China (1983); Recent awards/recognition: 2nd Place, Fastest Growing Firm of 2016 (Milwaukee Business Journal); Profession: Business Management, Education Management, Founder and President of Wisconsin International Academy
MILWAUKEE, WI Permit No. 5654
PAID
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Board of Education Candidate Forum
13780 Hope Street P.O. Box 1830 Brookfield, WI 53008-1830
Wednesday, February 15, 6 pm Elmbrook Schools Central Administrative Office 13780 Hope St., Brookfield Board Room Sponsored by the Elmbrook Parent Network and Leadership Council (EPNLC)
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NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
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......... LEANNE WIED – AREA III
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1800 Dundee Road, Brookfield 53045 wied4elmbrook@gmail.com
▼ Question 1: My family moved to this community for the public schools, and my children were extremely well served by the Elmbrook school community. I am committed to giving back to this community and school district, and working to uphold its excellence. As a homeowner and taxpayer, I understand the value our strong public schools add to our community, property values and tax base. I will work to continue our proud history of excellence. Question 2: I have thirty years of experience in education, in both private and public schools. In addition to the thousands of students and families I have served, I have worked closely with parents, staff and administrators. As an Elmbrook educator for nine years, I worked closely with administrators and school board members; serving on district level committees and providing input to school board committees. I understand district board, budget and curriculum processes. I am detail and results oriented and I engage stakeholders. My critical thinking and problem solving skills allow me to prioritize and make wise and fiscally responsible decisions with our limited resources. Family: One son–2010 graduate of Brookfield Central, one daughter–2012 graduate of Brookfield Central; District Resident: 17 years; Education: M.S. from UW-Milwaukee, Curriculum and Instruction, Mathematics Emphasis (1997); B.S. from UW-Oshkosh, Mathematics, Physics, Secondary Education (1987); Recent awards/recognition: Served on the following Elmbrook School District Committees: Strategic Compensation, Post-Retirement Benefits Committee, Calendar Committee and Handbook Committee; Profession: Mathematics Teacher, Hamilton High School, Hamilton School District