Candidate questionnaire: Binder, Critelli, and Wald
By Adam Hocking
Editor
MARSHFIELD — The spring election will be held on April 5, and included on the ballot, amongst other offices, will be the candidates for Marshfield Common Council, school board, and mayor. In an effort to familiarize voters with their choices, Hub City Times will conduct interviews with the candidates for those offices.
This week will focus on three of the five school board candidates: Thomas W. Binder, Mark Critelli, and Dan Wald. Hub City Times’ interviews with Amber Leifheit and Dale Yakaites can be read here. The five candidates will compete for two school board spots. There will be a primary to reduce the school board field to four candidates, which will be held Feb. 16.
Thomas W. Binder
Why are you running?
I have been in the Marshfield area my entire life. Our school system is an important part of the Marshfield area, and I have concerns about the direction in which it is heading.
What do you see as the most significant issue facing the school district that you would have to deal with as a board member?
Some years back, the state and federal government decided to take more control of local school operations and teaching methods. We already know how poorly the state and federal government run things. This control has to be stopped.
Why should citizens vote for you?
I think the students and the teachers are the future of this country. I will invest the time to understand this operation and do the things needed to represent the voters’ concerns.
Mark Critelli
Why are you running?
I am running for school board member because I believe in the significance of a great education for each of our youth. Quality education depends not only on the expertise and commitment of the district administration and staff but upon community commitment and involvement.
Effective board members must be in touch with both our community and the work of the district, providing support and accountability to the process. I believe that my gifts and talents are well suited to provide the community representation and oversight needed for our district to achieve even greater success in the future.
What do you see as the most significant issue facing the school district that you would have to deal with as a board member?
The most significant issues facing the school district are continued staff development, the decision and follow-through regarding the need for another override referendum, and the assessment and planning of our athletic facilities. However, regardless of the “most significant” issues, the district must deliver excellent education every day for every student in a safe and positive environment.
Why should citizens vote for you?
Becoming an effective school board member requires intentional effort and considerable time and experience. I learned a great deal in the six years (2009-2015) I was privileged to serve as a Marshfield school board member, faithfully working on nearly every committee. Because of those experiences and accomplishments, I will be able to more quickly contribute in a productive way.
There will always be challenges to providing a quality education. The best way to address those challenges is by goal-oriented decision making filtered through values and applied to the district’s resources. The values that I believe are important are thorough communication, high academic standards, fair access to programs, family values, parental inclusion, and fiscal responsibility. Whatever decisions are made, they need to reflect the values of our community. With that in mind, I would ask for your vote. Thank you.
Dan Wald
Why are you running?
I am running for the Marshfield School Board to be a voice for taxpayers, parents, and students. I feel we need to ensure our resources are utilized efficiently and appropriately. As a resident and stakeholder of the Marshfield School District, I take a great interest in our Marshfield schools and how they are managed.
My wife is a teacher and has taught in the Marshfield School District for 15 years, so I appreciate what our teachers do in the classroom and the challenges they face. I believe in the Marshfield School District and am a lifetime member of the Marshfield Tiger Booster Club.
We need to continuously improve our policies and fiscal management to allow our educators and support staff to provide a great education for our students. I would like to see more creative ways to educate our students implemented into the curriculum. We can draw on these ideas from our teachers.
There is always room for improvement. I have the experience and background to help facilitate improvements.
What do you see as the most significant issue facing the school district that you would have to deal with as a board member?
The most immediate and pressing issue will be the proposed referendum for operating expenses. Balancing the district budget is vital, and, of course, money always is an issue. Assuredly, this will become a very hot topic in the near future for everyone in the district.
Before we decide to go to referendum, we should be finding waste to eliminate. In the past, eliminating waste appeared to have been overlooked or not followed through. I am troubled when we hear that if a referendum is not passed, we will have to cut programs or lay off teachers.
We need to follow through with proposals that eliminate waste while still retaining staff and programs. Getting the most bang for our buck is crucial. We need to keep our great teachers in the classroom and maintain our support staff and programs to remain one of Wisconsin’s top school districts.
Why should citizens vote for you?
I have the experience and perspective needed to make decisions regarding our district policies and fiscal management. I also have the skill sets and compassion to listen to all stakeholders.
My job as a product engineer, position as chairman of the Republican Party of Wood County, and member of the Uniform Dwelling Code Council have brought me vast experience when working through issues, solving problems, and finding areas of agreement. I am also not a person to agree with everyone on every issue, but I certainly need to hear perspectives from all citizens.
As a responsible school board member, I need to question. I need to ask why. I will be that school board member who will not just go along to get along. I will be your voice and responsible to you.
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