SURING – During the spring election on April 7 there will be two candidates contending for one spot on the Suring Public Schools School Board.

The candidates are incumbent member Ron Christensen and Michael Anthony Nicola.

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 Christensen and Nicola can be found in this issue.

Ron Christensen

Why are you running to retain this position?

I was appointed to the board after a resignation and have served for the past nine months. In that short time, I’ve learned a great deal about the responsibility involved and how much careful planning goes into every decision.
Attending the state school board convention reinforced for me how important steady leadership is, especially for small rural districts like ours.
I’m running to retain this position because I care about this community, I value the direction we’re headed, and I want to continue serving in a consistent and responsible way.

If re-elected, what will be your top priorities?

My top priorities are stability, financial responsibility, and steady progress.
Retaining strong leadership, especially in administration, is important after a period of turnover.

Consistency allows staff to do their best work and helps students succeed.
Financial stability will remain a focus, particularly with rising costs and limited state aid.

I also want to see continued improvement in our state report card results by supporting clear goals and strong academic expectations.

How will you involve parents and the public?

I will continue to be accessible and willing to listen.

In a small community like ours, that means being present at school events, responding to calls or emails, and taking time to talk when concerns come up.
Parents and community members deserve to be heard. Clear communication before major decisions, especially those that affect programs or finances, helps build trust.

We also have a lot to be proud of, and we should consistently highlight student accomplishments and the positive things happening in our district, so families see the full picture.

How will you support students in and out of the classroom?

I’ve been part of the basketball coaching staff for nearly 20 years, and mentoring young people has always mattered to me.

Activities and athletics build character, discipline, and teamwork, and I’ve seen how those lessons carry into the classroom and beyond graduation. From time to time, former players reach out and ask me to serve as a reference or write a letter for them, and I take that responsibility seriously.

As a board member, supporting students means maintaining strong academic programs, supporting extracurricular opportunities, and providing teachers with the resources and stability they need to succeed.

It also means backing consistent leadership so staff can focus on students rather than constant change. My role is NOT to manage classrooms, but to create the conditions where students can learn, grow, and be prepared for what comes next.

Michael Anthony Nicola

Why are you running for this position?

I am running because Suring deserves a School Board that listens, communicates clearly, and makes practical decisions that support students, staff, and families.

I am interested in getting results that matter: having strong academics, safer schools, with responsible spending, and a district culture that we all can be proud of.

My background in operations and technology has taught me how to troubleshoot problems, plan ahead, and follow through. I want to help fix what’s broken, build what works, and keep Suring moving forward.

If elected, what will be your top priorities?

Our facilities are aging and require thoughtful improvements to remain safe and efficient. We must also continue modernizing technology so students and staff have the tools they need to succeed in today’s world, while never losing sight of our shared priority.

We must ensure every student feels respected, supported and safe at school.
Supporting a positive culture and addressing conflicts between peers in a healthy, proactive way is essential to our students’ success. Just as important is rebuilding trust and strengthening communication between teachers, parents and the district so we can work together as a team.

I would like to see us set a higher bar for academic excellence. Strong reading, writing, and communication skills remain fundamental to lifelong success.

How will you involve parents and the public?

As someone who didn’t grow up here, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from and understand many different parts of our community, not just one circle.
I believe everyone deserves a voice, which is why I strongly support transparency and open communication. I will continue to listen to anyone who needs to be heard and work to ensure their concerns and ideas are part of the conversation.

How will you support students in and out of the classroom?

Supporting students starts with listening. Whether it’s to students themselves, to parents, or to the teachers who work with them every day. Understanding their needs helps us create an environment where every student can feel supported both in and our of the classroom.

By setting high expectations with grounded encouragement, we can help prepare them not only for graduation, but for success in whatever path they choose.