Marinette Board of Education candidate preview

MARINETTE – During the spring election on April 1 there will be three open seats on the Marinette Board of Education that five candidates will be vying for. The five candidates, listed in order as they appear on the ballot, are Tim Pelzek, Maria Fong-Baake, Marinette Board of Education Vice-President Eric Craver, Marinette Board of Education President Terri Florek and Hank Matthews.

In an effort to give all candidates an opportunity to present their approach to the board of education position, the Peshtigo Times will cover a variety of the candidates. In order of the ballot, information on Terri Florek and Hank Matthews can be found in this issue.

Marinette Board of Education President Terri Florek

How long have you been a Marinette resident?

I’ve resided in Marinette my whole life, and am a Marinette School District alum.

Why are you running for the school board again? If re-elected, what will be your priorities?

I have a heart for servant leadership, and my involvement in our school community has always been an expression of gratitude for the great work our district has done for generations of learners. As it has been in the past, my priority is to work alongside our educators to provide the students within our district a love of learning in a safe environment that will allow them the opportunity to pursue their dreams of college and career advancement.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?

My work within our community has been based on enriching the lives of the people in it and that passion continues in my retirement. Sixteen years as a board member has taught me that understanding the challenges of our students and the staff that support them daily is essential. My involvement with the school district has brought me beyond the boardroom, and I find that volunteering within clubs, organizations and classrooms has given me a perspective that what we do as a board matters.

What has been your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?

Understanding that human connections bring strong allegiances and often influence opinions is critical to maintaining a healthy mindset in public office. I continue to believe that in the end we must do what is best for kids and what is fiscally responsible for the School District of Marinette. With this in mind, “controversial or complicated issues” become simplified. Board policy, state law and other regulations support the decision making process.

Hank Matthews

How long have you been a Marinette resident?

My family and I have been residents of Marinette for 18 years where we enjoy working and spending time with our family and close-knit community.

Why are you running for the school board? If elected, what will be your priorities?

James Garfield once said, “It is the high privilege and sacred duty of those now living to educate their successors, and fit them, by intelligence and virtue for the inheritance which awaits them.” This powerful statement resonates with me and underscores my dedication to ensuring that our community provides a high-quality education for all students.

There are several critical issues that need to be addressed:

• Test scores are too low and are not being prioritized. We need to focus on improving academic performance and ensuring that our students are meeting educational standards.
•  Unnecessary spending on buildings needs to be controlled. We must ensure that our financial resources are being used effectively and efficiently to benefit our students and staff.
•  The decision to sell the Garfield school building has caused great distrust in our community. It is essential that this issue be addressed appropriately and restore the confidence that our community’s assets are being managed responsibly.

What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a board member?

After serving for six years in the Navy, I have continued working to support our military in maintenance, logistics, and construction for over 30 years. This includes oversight, analysis and financial management of major systems. I enjoy understanding and studying roadblocks and developing new strategies to achieve success.

What is your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?

Controversial and complicated issues can be difficult to resolve between parties. I am convinced that each individual possesses the right and privilege to have their own opinions and beliefs. The best outcomes are achieved by allowing open and frank conversations while exhibiting respect for each other.

Candidate Eric Grenier shared with the Peshtigo Times that he has decided to withdraw from the race, adding that he will be supporting Tim Pelzek, Maria Fong-Baake and Hank Matthews.

Marinette Board of Education Vice-President Eric Craver did not respond to the Peshtigo Time’s request for information.

Last week, the Peshtigo Times covered candidates Tim Pelzek and Maria Fong-Baake