Who's Got Your Vote? School Board Candidate Recap

There are five candidates up for election on Tuesday, vying to fill two spots representing Port Washington for the district School Board.

Those candidates include: Leo Duffrin IV, 919 Fairview Dr.; Brenda Fritsch, 1716 Terrace Dr.; Earl Kelley, 201 E. Whitefish Rd.; Ross Larsson, 228 N. Garfield Ave.; and Michelle Mueller, 1027 W. 3rd Ave.

Tuesday's election will narrow the field to four, and those top vote-getters will advance to the April 3 general election. School Board members serve three-year terms, and are paid $1,200 annually for attending one regular monthly meeting as well as one monthly committee meeting. The members are paid extra for attending extra meetings, at a rate of $25 for meetings less than two hours, and $50 for meetings that go longer.

Here's a recap of the candidates.

Leo Duffrin

Duffrin said he has also done some research on the topic of technology, and believes there are grants available that could provide the district with fund needed to add the technology that would offer new learning opportunities and create a more efficient use of resources.

"I seriously feel we are behind right now and I feel that we need to catch up and keep moving ahead," Duffrin said about the district's technology.

Top topics of focus if elected: Besides technology, Duffrin said he would make sure the kids are well-rounded when they leave the district, and that he would like to get better educated about board policies as well as interact with public and teachers to find out with people want.

Brenda Fritsch

A volunteer for a variety of educational efforts, Fritsch said she decided to run because it's a topic she's passionate about.

"I personally … have been involved in education on a volunteer basis in a lot of different areas — so education has always been something I've been a strong advocate for," she said."If I'm going to commit some extra time to something, it seems to have always been (education)."

Top topics of focus if elected: Technology and keeping up with "a futuristic pace." Also, guiding children in their post-graduation plans, and getting more money into the school system — reaching out to foundations that schools can ask for grants, and working to keep the education system how we want it.

Earl Kelley

Kelley is running for the School Board with the hope of being involved in making the district the best it can be.

"I have always believed that every community should strive to have the best possible school system that they can have," he said in a letter to residents. "Our children are the future of this great country and we must send them out of our schools trained and ready to pursue the next step in their life whether it be further education or going directly into the work force."

Top topics of focus if elected: Kelley expressed a strong interest in the employee handbook, and providing a fair wage and benefit package to those that work for the district. He also said his focus would be to educate himself on the School Board and the schools in the district ... and help kids with post-graduation plans.

Ross Larsson

Larsson decided to run for the board because of an underlying interest to become more involved.

"I wanted to be more active in the community — (education is) something that I was passionate about, so that was a good place to start," he said.

Top topics of focus if elected: Larsson really would like to talk to teachers to see what things we could implement to improve the schools, and also work toward transparency on the boards so the community knows what its up to. Also, remembering to be fiscally responsble in decision making.

Michelle Mueller

Mueller saw an opportunity to get involved after hearing about the vacant spots up for election.

"I have been so impressed with all the teachers and everything that I see going on in the district." So when the opportunity came to run for the board, she decided to take it.

Top topics of focus if elected: Mueller would like to help make technology improvements, and also would focus on self-education on how the board works, as well as work with the board and teachers to find out the tools to utilize in the schools while also being fiscally responsible. Lastly, she would focus on fundraising and work with businesses, etc., to help get technology and software.