Marquardt New Board President for West Bend School Board

From

What's New In West Bend Schools

President- Randy Marquardt
Vice-President- Tim Stepanski
Clerk-Bart Williams
Treasurer- Rick Parks

Committees:
Curriculum and Instruction:
Chair-Tim Stepanski
Dave Weigand
Kris Beaver

Policy:
Chair-Dave Weigand
Randy Marquardt
Rick Parks

Finance:
Chair-Rick Parks
Bart Williams
Kris Beaver

Technologies and Facilities:
Chair- Todd Miller
Randy Marquardt
Bart Williams

Stakeholders:
Chair- Tim Stepanski
Rick Parks
Bart Williams

New School Board LEADERSHIP to be Chosen SATURDAY

New Board Leadership to be Chosen Tomorrow Morning

April 30, 2011
9:30 a.m.
AGENDA
1. Call to order
2. Board Reorganization
a. Election of Officers
b. Committee/Other Assignments
3. Adjourn into executive session pursuant to Wis.
Stats. 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion,
compensation or performance evaluation data of any
public employee over which the governmental body has
jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, and take any such
action, if necessary, based on its discussion namely:
administrative structure and transitions.

Charter School endorsed by panel in WEST BEND

A GOOD thing.

The idea of establishing a charter school in the West Bend School District will come before the entire School Board next month, following the recommendation made Monday by Board of Instruction committee members to advance the concept. 

    Information about the proposed charter school, Crossroads Academy, was presented to school board members Tim Stepanski, Dave Weigand and Kris Beaver during the committee meeting Monday evening. 

    “I think ultimately we have to, in today’s budgets, at least look at other opportunities,” Stepanski said. “I would like to see it go forward to the board for further discussion.” 

    Bruce Dunford, West Bend resident and pastor of First Baptist Church, filed a petition to establish a charter school over the summer. 

    The purpose of starting a charter school, Dunford said, is to present the families of West Bend with a high quality, publicly funded alternative to the public school system. 

West Bend School Board Meeting Stacked with WEACs - Part IV

Here you'll see board member Bruce Koenig let the WEAC group know they are misinformed (and misleading others).  You'll also see board member Tim Stepanski ask the question "When will the cycle end?" (referring to the tax levy caps both now and in the future.)

West Bend School Board told "NO" loudly by district taxpayers PART IV

And here's the taxpayer's "non-binding" vote:








HERE is a GREAT synopsis of the evening.

West Bend School Board told "NO" loudly by district taxpayers PART III

This man gives a number of points, mainly that he was pretty angry, as were many other taxpayers, that the subject material of this budget meeting was not properly communicated to school district residents, nor was the information that they could give an advisory vote. He was upset that the only ones who notified the public were Charlie Sykes and Mark Belling. (LOLOLOL! Thanks, Guys!) - 


(Another resident made his comments about the teacher's union getting their pay increase from Doyle that made Channel 4 news tonight. (Sorry, didn't get it on video.) The budget proposal has a 2.5 million dollar pay increase for teachers. The commenter made reference to the teacher's union getting Doyle into office, then said if the teacher's want their 2.5 million, they should get it from "that rat they elected". The crowd went wild!!!)

West Bend School Board told "NO" loudly by district taxpayers PART II

This gentleman lent his insight concerning the position of seniors and retirees on fixed incomes, i.e., Social Security.

West Bend School Board told "NO" loudly by district taxpayers PART I

Whipping up these video snippets for those of you who weren't able to attend the meeting.


First, here is a short clip of Carlson working with hypnotic-like effect alongside Stepanski, making sure that the "air is cleared" before the meeting starts.

A Few West Bend School Board Facts

Your West Bend School Board:


...is not only running with the $27K referendum, but trying to pull off a HUGE tax increase right along with it.  (Guess your "yes" vote wasn't enough.)

..West Bend was paid $29,084,419 in the 2008-2009 school year.  For this budget, they are projecting $31,291,816 for the same things in the 2009-2010 school year.  In other words, state aid is actually going UP in real dollars.  It appears that the district is playing the favorite game of politicians in claiming that aid that falls short of their expectations are a “cut.”  (Owen did the math.)


...School Board Chairman, Joe Carlson, doesn't believe the public should know about the tax levy.  This is evidenced by his numerous claims of  "disappointment" when challenged by board member, Tim Stepanski to take his opposition behind closed doors.  See here, here and here.


...On the flip side, fiscal conservatives have advocates in Stepanski and Koenig, who appear to be unafraid to represent the constituents who elected them, giving solid representation in a forthcoming and transparent manner.


...Seems Carlson, et. al, are a tad bit disingenuous about the state aid.  (Ya think?) This is being used as the driving force behind justifying district spending, which is scheduled to go down for a vote on Monday night, the 28th at 7 pm at the District Offices.


...Seems some "back door" games are being played to squeeze more $$$$ out of taxpayers. 


Let's flashback to the questionnaire from the last school board election.  


WILL IT TROUBLE YOU TO OPPOSE A BOARD MAJORITY ON AN ISSUE?


STEPANSKI:  No.


TELL US WHAT APPROACHES YOU WOULD EMPLOY TO HOLD MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR MISMANAGEMENT OF DISTRICT RESOURCES?


STEPANSKI:  District resources belong to the taxpayer. It is important that the citizen is made aware of the situation. It is also important that after a complete investigation, the person responsible would be disciplined up to and including termination and possible prosecution.


WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY ON BALANCING A DISTRICT BUDGET IN DIFFICULT TIMES?


STEPANSKI:  A budget is to be balanced no matter what the situation - good or bad. We are accountable to the taxpayer and it is imperative that we can prove we will operate within our means.


Seems Stepanski is showing he's made of the stuff he promised his constituents.  A very good representation, indeed.


HERE'S AN UPDATE ON THE FIGURES.  OWEN DID SOME RECALCULATING.  CHECK IT OUT HERE.

West Bend School Board takes beating from Belling

Curtsy to Boots and Sabers

Mark Belling spent 20 minutes on his show today covering the reason we have open meetings in America, why they are important, and why West Bend School Board Chairman Joe Carlson’s comments are so out of line. 

Here’s the podcast.  He starts talking about West Bend at about 12 minutes.  He mentions B&S at about 20:50. 

But when we get behind closed doors - West Bend School Board - Part 2

Carlson continues on with a 2-minute dissertation on why Stepanski shouldn't be disagreeable on camera stating "I am very disappointed" and that he "needs warning" to discuss any opposition to the issues so the board can "come up with a compromise."


Stepanski's question "What kind of compromise?" to Carlson went unanswered.  Maybe we already know the answer to that one.


Carlson goes on to imply that Stepanski's actions make them appear to be a dysfunctional board.  Oh, and he said "I don't like surprises in my business, and I don't like surprises in situations like this."  So I guess it's about him then.


Sorry, Tim.  Took guts to do what you did, and thanks for trying!  

West Bend School Board should be discussing differences of opinion BEHIND closed doors...and so it goes. PART 1

Sorry for the lag.  You get the idea. 


Stepanski's strategy to bring forth his opinion in healthy debate was not welcomed by School Board President Joe Carlson.  From "his perspective" it should be discussed in "closed session" where the public doesn't hear.


Carlson calls Stepanski's honesty "disappointing."  But wait, there's more.  See Part 2 in next post.