SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano School Board appointed two new members on Monday. Former principal Karen Smith was selected for one seat and Samuel Sousek was selected for the other.
For the At-Large Seat, Samuel Sousek was the top vote getter with 4 votes, followed by Frank Kugel (2) and Karen Smith (1).
For the City seat, Karen Smith was the top vote getter with 4 and Tracy Haberland had 2.
The other applicants were Crystal Phalen and Bobbi Lemerond.
During interviews conducted in open session, school board president Mike Musolff asked each candidate three questions. Why do you want to be on the board? What skills make you a good candidate and what can the district do to help education in the district?
When asked why she wants to be a member of the school board, Smith said she still has faith. “I have faith in this community, our schools, our staff and paraprofessionals and faith in our kids,” Smith said. “I believe that we can turn things around if we start recognizing the positive.”
Smith said she wants to help change the atmosphere. ” I want to bring back the positive and make people realize that we can do here.
Sousek said he has experience in finance with running a bank for many years. “I have also been on a municipal board and I have spent some time in the classroom so I have seen all sides of the school district.”
Sousek said his experience in the classroom has showed him one key factor.
“I think a lot of that comes back to communication and I think we need to communicate both the good and the bad.”
Smith has lived in Shawano for 27 years and moved from teacher to administrator and eventually became the principal at Olga Brener and eventually the district’s Director of Special Education.
“Kids basic needs have to be met and I think we need to partner with the community and take them to that level.”
Sousek said to him, the district needs to recognize that a lot of their success comes from the alternative classes that the district offers.
“Not everybody is going to go to a four-year school,” Sousek said. “We should be celebrating everyone’s success, not just attorneys and doctors.”
Smith has experience in budgeting as well as grants. “I have no ties to the district and that is beneficial because when it comes to voting, I can see things from an objective point of view.”
Crystal Phalen said have children in the district she wants to be a voice for the community for their kids. Phalen pointed to her experience in the EMS field and her ability to work in high stress situations.
Bobbi Lemerond said she has seen the district at its best in the past and wants to help get it back to that state.
Tracy Haberland has banking experience and her job includes communication. She said felt that her skills may be helpful to the board. When asked about what can be done to better the district, Haberland said she would want to do what it takes to help the kids succeed in core classes.
Frank Kugel said when he saw the openings on the board, his experience as a teacher and with retail could benefit the board. He Kugel was a teacher for nearly 34 years and says his experience with teachers, students, school boards and superintendents would be a benefit. Kugel said he would like to see every student take some courses that are hands on courses.
“This was a tough decision. We had some great candidates here and do not be discouraged if you did not get one of the seats, and don’t give up.”
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