Post Messenger Recorder -

Dear Editor,

Being on the school board is a job, a thoughtful and important job. In looking at this upcoming election as truly a job interview and placement, it is important to consider if and how each candidate has interacted with the other members of the board, the community or shown any interest at all.

There have been two public forums and speaking opportunities. One held locally, and one from the radio station out of Monroe for our local School Board candidates to participate in. Current candidates Oemichen, Julseth and Bean participated. For the proposed WEKZ Radio forum, only Oemichen and Bean responded that they would participate but has now been cancelled due to lack of participation by the other candidates.

The Post Messenger Recorder and the Wisconsin State Journal also submitted requests for participation from the candidates. Only Oemichen, Julseth and Bean participated. Oemichen showing his continued commitment to our community and the board, and Bean and Julseth sharing their views.

A recent open records request to see which of these candidates has participated or interacted with the school board revealed zero participation from one candidate and zero attendance at the school board meetings for the same candidate.

Bean and Julseth both have interacted and advocated for their points of view with the board. The open records request, and the virtual forum, did illustrate the differences between the two candidates. However, as a community member, I am grateful for their participation. Bean’s willingness to participate in the radio debates continues to illustrate that between the two he is willing to meet and be available and transparent with all he would represent if elected. Their participation helps me know what level of involvement and participation I can expect. How seriously will they take the job of being representative of all our students and community.

Again, this is a job and as a taxpayer you are the employer. What qualities do you look for in hiring someone? Accountability? Interest? Knowledge? Respectful interactions? Oemichen is an incumbent doing a great job, who has helped lead and navigate our school through some exceptionally challenging times. His leadership has been a true asset to this community and our school - let’s keep him! There is another open seat with three other candidates running. Two different candidates in Bean and Julseth, and another who hasn’t participated at all; therefore, I cannot form an opinion on him.

Who will you keep or hire? I am voting for incumbent Oemichen and the candidate Bean as they continue to show a willingness to show up and be there for their community to be available for all forums for information and have been respectfully involved in working for and representing the diversity of all our students and our community.

Christy Hunter,

New Glarus, WI