Port Washington-Saukville School Board Questionnaire:
1 At Large Seat and 2 Board Member Seats

1 At Large Seat

1. How do you feel about trying to remove books from libraries?
   
   Yvonne Klotz - Books are an avenue to learning and entertaining. I am not sure why we would want to remove books from libraries. I believe there is a process that libraries go through when selecting books for readers. Reading creates critical and reflective thinkers, which takes us forward into the future. There’s people who are working in the system who have gone to school for the book selection process. If a student or family has a concern with the literature, one doesn’t have to read it or finish reading the book selected. I guess, I would ask why should a certain book be banned? I would have a conversation with an individual to understand their perspective.
   
   Richard Sternhagen - As the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech, the removal of books, limiting or eliminating debate and marginalizing others with a conflicting opinion should be avoided. Debate and the legal system should address conflicts when there are concerns with obscene, inflammatory and libel content.
   
   
2. Under what conditions do you think you would recommend, if ever, a return to virtual schooling or mask mandates?
   
   Yvonne Klotz - Conditions for returning to a virtual format or mask mandate would need revisiting discussions with the school Covid Response Team, school nurse, health departments at county, state, and federal levels. Recommendations from experts need to be considered, like CDC. We’ve learned a lot about in person learning and online learning. We’re fortunate to have the technologies to enhance the learning experiences, and we know some “+” and “-” effects of both. Good, in depth discussions w/recommendations from a variety of health experts in where I would think we would begin to help us make decisions.
   
   Richard Sternhagen - The mission of all District policies should support an optimal education experience for the students. Any modification of the traditional methods of K-12 education and attendance requirements should be applied only after all stakeholders (educators, parents, healthcare providers) have an opportunity to engage and formulate a response that considers all ramifications from a potential action.
   
   
3. What in your background or experience makes you a good choice for the school board?
   
   Yvonne Klotz - I’ve 30 years experience in the classroom and relate to many needs/wants of students and families. I have the opportunity to serve and embrace public education in a different capacity if re-elected. I have gained knowledge and understanding of the responsibilities being on the PWSSD SB. An example of learning as a SB member includes me representing our SB at the State School Board Convention the last two years. I’ve learned about the state of public education not just regionally but as a whole state. We gain knowledge when we’re working together
   
   Richard Sternhagen - A matrix of prior experiences will provide value to the community including:

   • Husband and parent (three adult children)
   • Dedicated towards child development
   • Former member of Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Business & Education Partnership Committee Junior Achievement +15 years classroom volunteer, 8 years Board member, Executive Committee and Vice-Chair
   • Coach-soccer, basketball, baseball, softball coach
   • Parent volunteer-Waukesha North High School Competitive Marching Band
   • Active in community service
   • 2^nd Vice President Port Washington Lions Club
   • Member of the City of Port Washington five-year Strategy development committee
   • United-Way fund raising committee
   • Proud resident of Port Washington/Saukville area for +8 years
   • Successful business career within a variety of senior leadership/managerial roles
   • Sargento Foods, Inc. +17 years
   • Training and experience in team leadership, data analytics, research and strategic planning
   • Travel throughout the United States and internationally
     
     
4. Are there curriculum-related or diversity-related issues that you think the current board members are not addressing? If so, what would you do differently?
   
   Yvonne Klotz - Curriculum/diversity related issues I think the board needs to address may be to continue examining the culture within each school and the district office, along with our board itself. Some of us are participating in a book study related to culture. We have to examine ourselves and reflect about various needs and wants for students and families before we consider changes. If we can identify our own biases and ask ourselves what needs are not being met, we then have to ask ourselves why. We have to consider who we are reaching and what services we have or not have. I believe we will see growth and change as a whole continue because that’s what we have to do to meet the needs of our student body for them to pursue their dreams. Life is a learning process. I’ve always believed we want kids to be lifelong learners for them to adapt and participate in society. I realize the PWSSD is responsible for two different communities with different demographics. Being cognizant of the two communities is important. Needs and wants will vary. Needs and wants are tied to the diversity challenges seen in the PWSSD.
   
   Richard Sternhagen - The District should develop a Vision that includes a desire to become a K4-12 educational leader in the region. There is a great deal of opportunity for additional advanced learning offerings (gifted and talented), AP courses and technical training.
   
   

2 Board Member Seats

1. How do you feel about trying to remove books from libraries?
   
   Brian Stevens - Books and libraries are special to me, as I love reading and spent as much time as possible in both my school and the public library during my childhood. I continue to enjoy reading whenever I am able to this day and books always catch my attention.
   
   In general, I am not a fan of book banning nor removing books from libraries. That said, I believe it is important to have books available in our libraries that are appropriate to the age of the intended audience.
   
   Karen Krainz - Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.
   
   Johnny Lanser – Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.
   
   
2. Under what conditions do you think you would recommend, if ever, a return to virtual schooling or mask mandates?
   
   Brian Stevens - In our district, our move to first a fully virtual school experience and then a hybrid approach revealed that we were not properly prepared for providing education through a virtual system. Not too surprising since that was not anything we had prepared for, and to expect a successful implementation over essentially a week would be unrealistic. Something that dramatic of a shift should be well planned in advance and takes time to iron out the kinks.
   
   Additionally, not all students are able to be as successful through a virtual education system - everyone learns differently. Given what we know from that experience and that we have not really done much to prepare for an improved virtual learning experience, I don’t think I could recommend a return to a virtual school across the board. For individual students, it could be an option, but that would depend on the capability of the individual student and the teacher.
   
   With regards to masks, I don’t believe we should mandate masks. The choice of individuals to opt to wear a mask should be their choice based on their own health and risk evaluation
   
   Karen Krainz - Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.
   
   Johnny Lanser – Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.
   
   
3. What in your background or experience makes you a good choice for the school board?
   
   Brian Stevens - I offer a unique perspective as a parent of two children who have recently graduated from the district, and as a working Engineer. In my work as Project Engineer, I have worked daily with the challenges of balancing competing needs, limited budgets, constricted timelines, and differing opinions to arrive at solutions that ultimately have to work to meet the needs of the customer. I am able to dig into the details of an issue and separate data, facts, and logic from emotion to arrive at decisions. I offer the perspective of a practicing engineer, and as a representative of an employer, an understanding of how to connect the real world needs of employers with the education of the future workforce of our community.
   
   Karen Krainz -Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.
   
   Johnny Lanser – Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.
   
   
4. Are there curriculum-related or diversity-related issues that you think the current board members are not addressing? If so, what would you do differently?
   
   Brian Stevens - I believe that our board has done a good job of addressing curriculum and diversity related issues while recognizing that there are still opportunities for improvement in both areas.
   
   Karen Krainz - Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.
   
   Johnny Lanser – Did not respond to multiple requests to share their view.