Posted: March 10, 2010 |(0) Comments

Brown Deer — In a four-way race for two open seats on the School Board, the discussion centers on controlling costs and improving student performance, particularly on standardized tests.

The four candidates, incumbent Gary Williams and challengers Michael Bembenek, Barry Godshaw and Lisa Zielinski, squared off Saturday in a forum sponsored by the Brown Deer affiliate of Citizens for Responsible Government. Zielinksi is the treasurer of the CRG.

Referendum: yes or no

The candidates differ on one of the biggest, and potentially most costly, questions facing the district - whether to ask taxpayers to approve additional spending for an addition to replace temporary modular classrooms installed at Dean School three years ago.

The temporary classrooms were necessary after the board had voted to close and demolish Algonquin School. Algonquin needed a $50,000 alarm system to replace one that had failed, and the roof and boiler were near the end of their lives.

While the board believed it would be able to provide permanent classrooms within three years, the downturn in the economy dashed those hopes.

Two candidates, challengers Zielinski and Godshaw, say the district must find the funds for those classrooms within its operating budget.

Zielinski said she believes the board eventually will go to referendum to ask for funds but she does not support that.

Godshaw does not believe a referendum is coming because, in his view, it would make no sense.

"If there was one, it would get voted down," he said. "We need to live within our budget."

Bembenek and Williams believe the district will go to referendum, possibly in two years. The village recently approved another three-year permit for the modular classrooms. Construction would take a year if voters approved additional spending through a referendum.

Bembenek and Williams suggested the district investigate its options in existing buildings, which could include remodeling and rehabbing instead of constructing a new building.

Williams said the district is looking at several ways to fund a new facility outside of taxpayer dollars, including business partnerships and cooperation with the village.

Bembenek said the district is spending $1 million a year in maintenance costs and needs to replace a boiler and roof at Dean School. Those costs need to be considered in the discussion on referendum spending, he said.

Improving test scores

Reducing programs or services could impact student achievement. All four candidates want to see evidence of higher achievement, including better Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination scores in the district. District scores have been at or near the state average but well below the scores in neighboring North Shore districts.

Bembenek said he would shift some resources from the high school to improve reading and writing instruction in the elementary grades. Zielinski said a remedial English program in ninth grade at the high school has helped some students improve their reading skills by several grade levels.

School board members serve three-year terms and earn $3,100 a year. Member Dennis Murphy is not seeking re-election.

Michael Bembenek

Age: 47

Address: 8536 N. Stone Ridge Court

Family: married, has children in seventh and fourth grades

Education: bachelor's degree in business administration, Marquette University

Occupation: commercial loan workout officer, North Shore Bank

Past experience: member of the school district's finance and facilities committee

Barry Godshaw

Age: 60

Address: 6578 W. Floral Lane

Family: married, has two adult children and one grandchild

Education: diploma, Pulaski High School

Occupation: retired, Briggs & Stratton; lead sales associated, Everdry; co-owner, Yesterday Once More Estate Sales

Past experience: unsuccessful run, Village Board, 2006; member of the village Board of Review, and Park and Recreation Commission

Gary Williams (inc.)

Age: 59

Address: 9028 N. Bethanne Drive

Family: married, has two children who attend Brown Deer High School

Education: doctorate in education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Occupation: professor, School of Education at UWM

Past experience: completing first three-year term on School Board

Lisa Zielinski

Age: 40

Address: 9402 N. Pearlette Lane

Family: married

Education: bachelor's degree in accounting, Ottawa University

Occupation: business analyst manager, Trisept Solutions

Past experience: none

FYI

WHAT: Brown Deer Junior Woman's Club candidate forum

WHEN: 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 29

WHERE: Brown Deer High School, 8060 N. 6oth St.