CRIVITZ – During the spring election on April 7 there will be four candidates contending for two spots on the Crivitz School District Board of Education.
The four candidates are incumbent board treasurer Lyle Cherry, incumbent vice president Sonny Graese, Sara Roman and Rebecca Zillges.
In an effort to give all candidates an opportunity to present their approach to the school board position, the Peshtigo Times reached out to candidates with a questionnaire form.
In alphabetical order, responses from Graese, Roman and Zillges can be found in this issue. Cherry did not respond.
Why are you running to retain this position?
I am running to maintain my seat on the Crivitz School Board because I am committed to keeping our students safe, supported, and prepared for life beyond graduation. The recent DPI Blue Ribbon award and our top district report cards show the solid foundation we have built.
I will continue to make data-informed decisions, strong fiscal stewardship, and open, accessible communication with families and the wider Crivitz community.
My priorities include expanding tutoring and intervention, improving digital access and safety, and strengthening partnerships with local businesses and organizations to provide real-world learning opportunities.
I am dedicated to transparent governance, listening to diverse voices, and ensuring every Crivitz student has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
If re-elected, what will be your top priorities?
If re-elected, my top priorities will include finishing the tech-ed addition and elementary school remodel on schedule and within budget so our students can fully benefit from these upgraded facilities. I will continue focusing on high-quality instruction and maintaining a safe and welcoming school for all.
By keeping our budget transparent and actively involving parents and the wider community, we will sustain Crivitz’s momentum and give every student the best education possible.
How will you involve parents and the public?
If re-elected, I will ensure Crivitz parents and community members are valued partners in our schools.
When we have major items that concern our children, we want more interaction and options. I will make sure every Crivitz parent, and resident has a voice in our schools, such as with the new remodeling projects, what kids eat at school, and what our kids are being taught.
With transparent, two-way communication, our community will see how their ideas help drive our students’ success.
How will you support students in and out of the classroom?
If re-elected, I will ensure every Crivitz student is supported both inside and outside the classroom.
Inside our schools, I will make sure teachers have the training and technology they need to deliver high-quality instruction, and I will expand tutoring and intervention programs so any student who needs extra help receives it. I will also fully leverage our new Tech-Ed addition and remodeled elementary to provide even more hands-on STEM, arts and career-focused learning opportunities.
Outside the classroom, I will grow our after-school and summer programs – from sports and arts to internships and college partnerships – so students can explore their interests and build real-world skills.
I will keep counselors and health services available and actively involve parents and the community, so every child feels safe, supported and ready to learn.
My goal is to give every Crivitz student the resources and opportunities they need to thrive, both academically and personally.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for school board because I am a mother of ten children, of which most are or have been students in the Crivitz School District. We have witnessed first hand the effects good and bad leadership creates for students.
This community has been promised change and transparency in prior elections that has never materialized. We have amazing teachers and students who only need the right environment to grow and make our schools a place of learning excellence that parents want to move to our community for.
That doesn’t happen without hard work and hard decisions by the right leadership. We need those leaders to ask a lot of questions so they can determine the right solutions that will provide those desperately needed student outcomes.
If elected, what will be your top priorities?
My top priorities will be change, transparency, community involvement, teacher development and student outcomes.
There are many changes that need to happen for our school district to become a welcoming and safe haven where retaliation and intimidation are no longer tolerated.
One of the biggest things that can help facilitate this change is transparency. Encouraging community involvement in board meetings and decision making helps provide transparency.
We must actively develop our teachers in a positive and constructive environment. They must know they are supported by their leadership and will receive the resources and tools they need to be successful in their classrooms. This includes empowering them to lead their classrooms without micromanagement and interference that stagnates learning.
The very existence of a school district is to provide student outcomes. Nothing else matters if a school district is not providing excellent and positive student outcomes.
How will you involve parents and the public?
The involvement of parents and the community in a school district is non-negotiable. The top priority of any school board should be the involvement of parents and the community in every meeting. The parents and community elect the members of the school board. Those board memmbers cannot make the best decisions for the students, parents or community if they do not understand what they want or how they feel.
This happens through interactive communication and thoughtful solution seeking. Quarterly listening sessions can provide the communication needed to accomplish this. Self serving limitations on public input to avoid having to deal with those who do not agree with you is not a behavior a successful board exhibits. Everyone must be heard and represented.
How will you support students in and out of the classroom?
Student outcomes begin with good teachers and leadership. Teacher retention has to be a top priority if we are going to provide those positive student outcomes consistently.
Developing our teachers through effective and responsive leadership and training will give them the skills they need and the confidence required to create a welcoming environment that promotes a feeling of being heard and valued. No student benefits when their teachers silently quit, resign or retire to escape their work environment.
Student outcomes also require fair and equal adherence to policy and access to opportunities. We can work together to ensure that happens for every student.
Why are you running for this position?
I am running for the Crivitz School District School Board because I believe our schools should be guided by transparency, accountability, and a strong focus on students.
I have listened to families, staff, and community members who want clearer communication and consistent policies. I believe concerns should be addressed respectfully and openly, and that everyone should feel comfortable speaking up without fear of retaliation.
Our district has many strengths, and I want to help build on them by ensuring decisions are student-centered and fiscally responsible. Supporting teachers, strengthening trust with families, and maintaining responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars are priorities for me.
This role is about service, not politics. It is about creating an environment where students can succeed, staff feel supported, and families feel confident in the direction of our schools. I am running to help strengthen trust and move our district forward together.
If elected, what will be your top priorities?
First, I will work to ensure every decision keeps students’ academic success and well-being at the center. Strong curriculum, high expectations, and a safe learning environment must remain our foundation.
Second, I will prioritize clear communication and consistent policies. Families, staff, and community members deserve transparency in decision-making and confidence that concerns will be addressed respectfully and fairly.
Third, I will support our teachers and staff by advocating for the resources and structure they need to succeed in the classroom. When educators are supported, students thrive.
Finally, I will emphasize responsible financial stewardship. Taxpayers deserve careful, thoughtful budgeting that aligns with district priorities and long-term stability.
My goal is to help build trust, strengthen leadership, and ensure our district continues moving forward with integrity and a clear focus on what matters most — our students.
How will you involve parents and the public?
I believe in listening as much as leading. I will encourage public input, welcome respectful dialogue, and ensure concerns are acknowledged and addressed thoughtfully. Strong schools are built on strong community partnerships, and I am committed to making sure parents and the public have a voice in the direction of our district.
How will you support students in and out of the classroom?
I will support students by keeping their academic success and well-being at the center of every decision.
In the classroom, I will advocate for strong curriculum, high expectations, and the resources teachers need to help every student succeed. I believe classrooms should be safe, structured, and engaging so students can grow with confidence.
Outside the classroom, I support opportunities that build character, leadership, and connection — including athletics, clubs, the arts, and student support services. These experiences are just as important in shaping well-rounded, confident young adults.
My goal is to ensure every student feels supported, challenged, and prepared for success both in school and beyond.
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