Raabe says schools are the ‘backbone’ of a democracy

Metro Wire Staff

The Stevens Point Area Public Board of Education has nine candidates on the Feb. 15 primary.

Nine candidates will compete for four open seats on the board. Incumbents Jeff Ebel, Barb Portzen, and Rob Manzke, are being challenged by newcomers Jennifer Bushman, Miguel Campos, Alex Sommers, Kari Prokop, Dennis Raabe, and Lisa Rychter. The top eight vote-earners will move on to the April ballot.

Questions by the Stevens Point Area League of Women Voters. Candidates Jeff Ebel and Kari Prokop did not submit responses.

Dennis Raabe’s answers follow:

Why did you decide to run at this time for the position of Stevens Point Area School Board Member?

I have had a career of serving, advocating for, and supporting public education. I believe that public education is the great equalizer in our society. I believe public educators and the systems they serve are the portals through which all young people can achieve success both in school and in life.
I am running as a positive voice for our educators, a responsible steward of public confidence in our schools, and someone who believes that young people need the skills, support, care, guidance, and indeed love, which are demonstrated by teachers each day in our public schools.

There may be those who are running for a given agenda. Perhaps they have issues with decisions made by our leaders and the Board. Perhaps they want to shake things up a bit. Perhaps they have a different view of what educational programming should be available to the young people who attend schools in our District and the amazing educators, support staff, and leaders that make it happen. My agenda is simple. I will support our staff. I will welcome and encourage parental involvement. I will be reflective of how Board decisions impact our citizenry. I will speak my mind.

This has been the way I have served districts, educators, young people, and communities during my 45 years of service to school districts throughout the state. I would be honored to represent the Stevens Point Area Public School District and impacted communities as a member of the Stevens Point School Board.

What is your relevant background and experience to be an effective School Board member?

I have extensive training in education attaining advanced degrees (Specialist Degree, Master’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree) related to leadership, curriculum and instruction, school finance, school law, and school district oversight. I have served as a classroom teacher at every level and as a university instructor. I have over 30 years of experience as a building principal. Twenty-five of those years were served in the Stevens Point School District as the principal of Roosevelt, Jackson, Madison, and McDill Elementary School. I have served four school districts as the district administrator or interim district administrator during the past ten years.

I understand the role of a Board Member having served on the Plover Village Board of Trustees and the Portage County Board and through my service to the School Districts I was employed by. I know what my responsibilities and limitations are regarding an appropriate and positive functioning School Board. I understand and appreciate that the Board makes decisions collectively and that individual members do not speak for the Board or have authority over matters of the district.

I have always strived to be a positive voice that seeks to maintain excellence in schools while being mindful of how resources provided by our taxpayers are utilized.

Most importantly I care about young people. Education and educators can and do make a difference in the lives of young people. Every single day. I want to serve our Public Schools to assure that every child in our community is given what he or she needs to be successful. For many of our young people, the schools and our staff are the sources of the inspiration, guidance, and training they need to achieve such success.

What do you see as the top three issues currently facing our Stevens Point Area Schools and how would you address them?

First and foremost, our district must recruit, train, and retain the best educators available. Everything that is imperative in public education happens in the classroom and within the relationship between our scholars and our educators. Quality teachers are the single most important factor in assuring success for scholars. Period. Some of what attracts the best educators will be to continue to offer a compensation and benefits package which is highly competitive. It is equally important for the district to demonstrate to our staff that they are valued. We do this through our words and our deeds. As a Board member, I will help set the tone for such a school district environment.

The district needs to continue to build meaningful relationships with parents, be transparent with the public regarding fiscal and policy decisions, and foster relationships with our stakeholders. It has been my experience that a lack of transparency can lead to gross misinformation, rumor, and innuendo. As a Board member, I will be open about the decisions which are being considered and when appropriate explain to the public the reasoning for my perspective. During my career, I have made many decisions that not all were happy about. I believe by being open and honest that I was able to maintain the regard and working relationship with those of the opposing view.

Finally, I believe the district, if not society in general, needs to remain calm. Reactionary and inflammatory behavior by public officials does little to assure confidence by the public in what we hope to accomplish for our District, our scholars, or the staff who serve them. If elected I will strive to be a voice of reason and a positive public servant.

What is the School Board’s role in assuring that students from all races, classes, creeds, and gender are given opportunities for high-quality education in a safe and respectful setting?

I believe it is important to recognize that we cannot assume everybody shares the value implied by the statement above. School districts across the country are under attack for supporting such values from those who have a much different perspective on issues of equality and equity.

School Boards oversee and approve the policies which guarantee the protection and opportunities for all scholars who enter our doors. School Boards oversee and approve the curriculum taught in our schools which celebrate the diversity of our culture and history. School Boards should establish goals for the administration and the district relative to assuring that all our students are educated in a setting that honors their individualism, their unique cultural background, and our collective heritage.
Public schools are the backbone of our democracy.

It is in these schools that young people learn of our amazing past and accomplishments. They must also learn of our imperfections in perspectives and conditions. Public schools play a vital role in assuring the American dream for all, regardless of economic status, race, gender, or religious belief. It is imperative to elect School Board members who are committed to such a belief. I will represent such values as a School Board member.

Schools are being asked to handle the increasing mental health concerns of students. Would you support increased funding and policy changes in addressing those needs?

Throughout my career, I have heard the argument that schools should teach the three R’s and leave all other aspects to the home. That would be super duper if young people did not come to the schools with traumatic experiences, significant mental health issues, and emotional pain. It would be wonderful if all parents had the expertise and ability to provide sufficient support to a child who is suffering from a significant mental health concern. My experience working with hundreds of such young people and families would indicate that is not reality.

I have no desire for schools to take on the role of the parent. That is not the issue here. Parents often need support to address the complexities of mental health issues. Given how prevalent mental health issues are in society it is common sense that many of our scholars are impeded due to the debilitating impact of mental health issues. Schools are in a unique position to offer services that young people require, and families are seeking.

How can any school or school district assert to care about the young people being served if they are not willing to provide the funding, policies, and conditions to address mental wellbeing? Addressing mental health concerns and supporting families faced with such a challenge is a compassionate, necessary, and vital role of the school district. Young people may not remember everything we hope to teach in our schools. They will remember for a lifetime that they were given the care and support which was essential during a time of need. Our society needs young people who have a positive outlook upon themselves and others, more so than those who can solely restate facts and historical dates.

Do you agree with the actions of the School Board aimed at keeping students, staff, and teachers safe during the Covid pandemic? What would you do differently going forward?

It is easier to criticize decisions than to make and be responsible for them. It has been my experience that some individuals have all the answers to complicated issues with only scant insight or appreciation for perspectives and expertise beyond their opinions. However, there is little debate that the most effective education takes place in person and in the classroom. Computers do not smile, they can’t gauge your feelings, they don’t give warm hugs when needed, they are not friends. I am a strong advocate for face-to-face instruction.

Still, it is not possible to have scholars in the classroom if we do not have the staff due to extensive absences. If our district is in such a situation the natural and appropriate response would be to plan for and implement a virtual option.

Early in the pandemic, I supported school closure because at the time it was a prudent and responsible response. When decisions may impact the health and safety of staff and scholars the decision should not be taken lightly. I believe the loss of nearly 900,000 fellow Americans and millions more across the globe should be handled with a bit more sensitivity and plan of action than the common cold.

Moving forward I hope measures taken by individuals and society collectively will allow us to maintain the most effective instructional practices. I believe individuals have the right to determine what health practices are best for them. I had loved ones who made such a decision and sadly are no longer with us.

In the schools, we are responsible for the health and wellbeing of all who enter our buildings. As such, at times schools will impose practices and policies to support the better good. I want society to open, to stay open, and for all to be safe. However, it may “take a village.”