The County Line received responses to questionnaires and comments from the following local candidates.
NORWALK-ONTARIO-WILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Carolyn Keith (incumbent)
1) What prompted your decision to seek a school-board position?
Having been involved in the current building project from its conception, I would like to be a part of not only future decisions that will need to be made to fulfill the vision with which we started, but also decisions regarding use of the new facilities. I would also like to be part of decisions for improving academic opportunities and performance.
2) What do you see as the role and duties of a school board member?
I see the role of a school board member to be a watchdog of district spending, to be a liaison between the school and the community and visa versa, and to keep abreast of educational trends and changes in laws governing the operation of our school. As our administrators and teachers work hard to navigate these difficult times, I believe the board needs to be as supportive as possible.
3) What do you see as the school district’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
I would say our district’s greatest strength is its visionary administration and, largely, its incredibly committed staff. If any weakness presents itself, the staff, administration and board work together to address the problem.
4) What strengths do you bring to the board?
I think a strength that I bring to the board is my forever passion for education. I read about, research, and have discussions with educators from other schools about education. I also find problem-solving input from community members to be very valuable.
5) Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the district, etc.?
Having been involved in volunteer work within the school since 1983, 17 years of which I was employed by the district, has given me, I think, some insight into how a school can best function.
Matt Muellenberg (incumbent)
1) What prompted your decision to seek a board position?
Being on the school board for the past nine years, I’m seeking re-election to assist in the further development of the many great opportunities being offered by the N-O-W School District for our local students to gain the knowledge and experience to become successful adults.
2) What do you see as the role and duties of a board member?
The school board member position is responsible for the general governance of the school district, ensuring that the proper resources to support student learning, growth, and achievement are made available to all students. Ensuring fiscal responsibility of the taxpayers’ funds and maintaining a high-performing administrative team at the school district are also important. This is accomplished through the development of and ensured adherence to effective school board policies.
3) What do you see as the school district’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
Our school district’s greatest strength is our staff. We are very fortunate to have many great teachers, with considerably low staff turnover rates, providing a consistently high level of education to our students, supported by our higher-than-state average student test scores. The completion of the district’s referendum projects in the coming year will also be a strength, providing additional opportunities for student learning, growth, and achievement.
Our school district’s greatest weakness is the ever-changing and declining landscape of state and federal school funding needed to operate the district. With most schools in the state, including many of our neighboring districts, needing to go to operational referendum in recent years, it is a testament to the fiscal responsibility that has been in place for many years at N-O-W School District that we have not had to. If an operational referendum becomes unavoidable in the coming years, the district needs to ensure great continued communication with the community on all that doing so would entail.
4) What strengths do you bring to the board?
• Nine years of N-O-W School Board experience
• Multiple children attending the district
• Finance and accounting professional background
• Experience coaching student athletics and volunteer for numerous youth educational programs in the community.
• Participation on multiple boards in the ag cooperative and private work sector
• Good listener, effective communicator
5) Could you give us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the district, etc.?
I was born and raised in the N-O-W School District, graduating with the class of 1999. I received a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from UW-La Crosse in 2003, the same year I married my lovely wife of 21 years (Krystal) and started my 21-year working career for Organic Valley (La Farge, Wis.), Bethany St. Joseph Corporation (La Crosse, Wis.), and Lorentz Meats (Cannon Falls, Minn.). My family, including four children that either attend or have attended N-O-W School District, resides in rural Ontario.
Damian Pasch (challenger)
1) What prompted your decision to seek a school-board position?
Having a fresh voice on the board and a need for change. Community members have expressed concerns in the last several months that their voices haven’t been heard. I am running to be that change and that voice for our communities and the people of our district. I have an interest and an investment in the success of the school and the district because my two young children attend school here. Good economic decisions need to be made, and the voices of our great communities need to be heard … this is why I am running.
2) What do you see as the role and duties of a school board member?
As elected representatives of the Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District, it is our duty to ensure not only the success of our school, but also our communities. We need to set policies and guidelines that guarantee the success of all our students and staff. Listening to the ideas and encouraging conversions with our communities is paramount for a successful district. We need to stay engaged in our school’s programs while promoting their achievements. The board needs to make certain that the school district represents all the communities and that their voices are heard. This will enable the school to be prosperous and thrive while setting realistic and obtainable goals for the district.
3) What do you see as the school district’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
The school district has a strong core of employees who take pride in the success of the students and school. It can be difficult for schools to find this kind of commitment from their staff, but I believe our school district does a great job to encourage this type of commitment. Our school keeps class sizes small, with an 11:1 student-to-teacher ratio — lower than the state average of 15:1. This means teachers can give kids more one-on-one attention, better support their learning, and build stronger connections. Smaller classes help students stay engaged, gain confidence, and succeed, which is exactly what we want for them.
Thanks to the referendum, our district has built some incredible facilities, with more improvements still happening. I’d love to see more discussion on how we can use these facilities to generate revenue and support our schools. It’s important for the school board to be mindful of spending while also looking for creative ways to offset costs. Other districts have faced financial challenges after similar projects, and with careful planning, we can avoid that. Keeping the community informed and exploring new athletic opportunities could help maximize the value of these investments.
4) What strengths do you bring to the board?
I bring honesty, two-way communication, openness, ambition, and integrity to the board. Having a vested interest in the school, with my two children attending N-O-W, I will be a voice for our students, our staff, our communities, and our taxpayers. A new voice will give a fresh perspective on how we can move forward successfully. I will ask questions and I will work alongside my fellow board members to not only continue the success of our school district, but also enhance the experience of every student that comes through our great school.
5) Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the district, etc.?
I was a student at Ontario Elementary School starting in Pre-K. In fifth grade, Norwalk and Ontario joined together at our current site. My junior year, Wilton joined us for what is now our current school district. I grew up outside of Wilton where I worked on our family farm. After graduating from Brookwood in 2002 I attended Blackhawk Technical College where I earned a degree in Electrical Power Distribution. I worked as a power lineman across Wisconsin for 20-plus years before moving back to my hometown so my kids could attend the same schools I did. I currently work as the only power lineman for the Village of Wonewoc. In May 2010, I married my wife Kelli (Schendel) who is also a graduate from Brookwood in 2003. We have two children together who both attend school at Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton. Bromley is 9 (third grade) and Remi is 7 (second grade). Volunteer coaching youth football, basketball, and baseball at the district is a passion of mine. I enjoy seeing the children of our school district mature and be successful both in athletics and the classroom. We have lived outside of Ontario since 2020 where we built what we are happy to call our forever home two years ago.
I have a vested interest in this school district so not only my children, but every child is successful. Being a member of the community, a taxpayer, and having the drive to help our school and communities be successful, I ask for your vote April 1. Thank you.
ROYALL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Newcomer Nate Green and incumbent Ryan Preuss will fill the two open positions on the Royall School Board. Sara Palamaruk has opted not to seek another term.
Nate Green (newcomer)
1) What prompted your decision to seek a school-board position?
I am seeking a position on the Royall School Board to positively impact both our students and the community by ensuring strong schools and a successful district.
2) What do you see as the role and duties of a school board member?
I believe a key responsibility of a school board member is to ask the right questions and keep the bigger picture in mind to drive positive outcomes for students.
3) What do you see as the school district’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
One of the greatest strengths of the Royall School District is the dedication of its educators, staff, families, and community members, all of whom share a deep commitment to student success. I believe everyone involved cares for the kids and the community and is making decisions that they believe are best for both.
Like any district, challenges exist, and one area for growth is expanding academic opportunities while continuing to adapt to changing student needs and maintaining financial stability. It is important to prioritize student learning, support staff, and strengthen communication between the district and the community.
4) What strengths do you bring to the board?
I bring a unique combination of experience and perspective to the Royall School Board. As a lifelong resident and a parent, I am deeply familiar with our community, schools, and staff. I believe being from a manufacturing environment brings a different outlook that will benefit the district overall, offering a practical, problem-solving mindset and a focus on efficiency and long-term planning. My connection to the district, combined with my professional background, allows me to approach challenges with a fresh perspective while keeping the needs of students, staff, and the community at the forefront of decision-making.
5) Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the district, etc.?
I have lived in the Royall School District my entire life and am proud to be a graduate of Royall, as are my children and family, who have all attended the district. I have always been actively involved in the community, helping coach youth sports and regularly attending school events.
VILLAGE OF ONTARIO
Ontario will have a contested race for three spots between incumbents John Hansen, Dylan DeWitt and Amber McElhose and challenger Richard Haugh. Also, Mike Parr will run unopposed for the president’s position.
John Hansen (incumbent)
1) What prompted your decision to seek a village board position?
I was approached by the committee to fill a trustee position several years ago. I decided I could be of service to the community by helping as a board member.
2) What do you see as the role and duties of a village board member?
Board members must be able to make decisions that are the best for all community members. We must also be able to keep the village finances in a favorable state.
3) What do you see as Ontario’s strengths? What are its weaknesses?
Strengths: community members care about the community, are willing to listen to others, and in general want to get along with each other. Weaknesses: Lack of business, which include grocery, medical and other services.
4) What strengths do you bring to the board?
I have the experience of being on the board for the last six years and have four years on the financial committee. I also feel I can make decisions for the village that help as many people as possible and those decisions lead to improvements.
5) Could you us some biographical information; e.g., other local government/civic experience, family, work, amount of time lived in the district, etc.
I have lived in Ontario for 17 years and have worked at the local school district for the past 25 years as a coach and a teacher. My wife has lived in/near Ontario all her life, and we have four children. I have served as union president for the teachers union and have been on numerous committees at school and in the village.
VILLAGE OF NORWALK
Norwalk’s village board race will be uncontested this year. President Levi Helgren offered tthe following comments on his tenure.
President Levi Helgren (incumbent)
My hope is that the people who live here are glad to call Norwalk home. We still have beautiful parks and the bike trail. We have a great library in town and are also part of a great school district (note: my wife Jesica is the Norwalk Public Library director and is a high school science teacher at Brookwood).
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it is possible to get fuel at all hours of the day too — a more recent development.
I believe that while costs have gone up with our utilities, that it is good value (we have great employees, Henry and Jeff, who manage our water and sewer so that all of us can simply turn on the water or flush a toilet and never give it a second thought — and we now have the garbage carts instead of the hassle of dealing with the bags). There are multiple good internet options to boot.
Back in 2021, I was under the assumption that the 2020 census numbers were going to go up, and I am still stunned that our population went down. We have seen multiple properties in town that were once thriving businesses converted to housing. Not many properties sit vacant within town, and those that are put up for sale typically sell in a short amount of time. I believe that we need to continue to embrace that we are a primarily residential community. Remote work has opened the potential of those that are looking for a less hectic way of life here in our community.
State shared revenue has increased, which has helped when it comes to budget planning. We must continue to use our funds wisely for investing in the future of this community. Steps have been put in place to repair some of crumbling streets. Our sewer plant upgrades should have us in good shape for years to come. Others have done a lot of the difficult work on getting a new fire station in place, and our role from the village perspective is to continue supporting this project. Now more focus will have to turn toward figuring out a plan for a community center replacement after our initial attempt of getting a grant from the state failed.
We still will need to be creative to accomplish our goals. It is pretty hard to forget the disbelief of the room when I presented renaming the village to “Milk, Wisconsin” for primarily marketing reasons (and, yes, pretty much my whole family outside a cousin hates that — I still love the simplicity and significance to the area but am resigned to give up on that). It would be nice to continue and expand the conversation of ideas for the village.
As I embark on a potential fourth term as village president, I want people to know that all the blame comes to me, and all credit goes to the rest of the board and employees. I couldn’t do this without them, and a very special thank you to Kerry, who serves as a face of the community when stopping into the village offices and keeps things on track. I know I am not perfect and have (some) self-awareness when it comes to my shortcomings, but we strive to do all that we can to prevent future generations from dealing with our mistakes. It truly is an honor to be in the position that I am in, and I do not take it for granted.
