Rhonda Perry
Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?
I am seeking a position on the Whitnall School Board because I want to help our district thrive. My vision is for Whitnall to become a destination district; a place where students want to learn and grow, and teachers/staff want to make their careers. I’d like Whitnall to be a place where the students’ best interests are always at the forefront of the board's work. Whitnall students should be given opportunities not only academically, but also in preparation for the real world. The district should be a place where teachers and staff feel supported, encouraged, and motivated by the board and this community. Whitnall should be a place where parents feel their children are safe and receiving a high-quality education at all levels. I want Whitnall to be a top school district in Wisconsin and I will dedicate my future board service to working toward this goal. This vision of a bright, successful future for our kids and community is why I am seeking election to the Whitnall School Board.
What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?
I am a team-oriented person who collaborates and partners with many different groups daily in my full-time job. In my day-to-day job, as a Supply Chain leader at a multinational corporation, I hold myself and my team accountable by driving actions to get results for our customers. An effective board member needs to be open to listening, but willing to speak up on behalf of students, teachers, and staff. I use listening, collaboration, and results-oriented thinking daily and this experience will help make me an effective board member for Whitnall.
What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?
I am an involved mother of two children at Hales Corners Elementary School where I currently serve as the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Co-President. I have been a resident of this great community for 16 years. As a parent and homeowner in this community, I have a vested interest in seeing the Whitnall School District advance and grow to become the district we all know it can be. I do not only want this for my own children but for all current and future students and also for our community.
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Quin Brunette
Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?
My purpose in seeking re-election is to continue to serve and advocate for the educational needs for all Whitnall students. A school board member is elected to be a representative of the community and to be responsive and receptive to all stakeholders. I will continue to be accessible to all constituents as I have been during my four terms on the board. I am a strong advocate of public education. As a former parent of Whitnall students, I understand the importance of being an involved parent and encouraging all parents to be involved. The majority of district residents are currently not parents or have direct involvement with our schools and I am able to bring this perspective to the important decisions the board makes. I believe our public needs to stay educated in the performance and operations of the district schools and will continue my learning around public education to influence our district and those outside of Whitnall who make decisions that impact our students and staff.
Given my extensive background and familiarity with our district, I can offer the leadership to steer the district steadily. I firmly believe in the exceptional capabilities of our teachers and staff dedicated to our students. It is crucial to rebuild morale among all district employees and cultivate a renewed sense of harmony throughout. Recognizing that education is primarily cultivated in the classroom, the board's endeavors should concentrate on augmenting and enriching the educational experiences within those spaces.
What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?
As my campaign slogan states, “Experience matters.” My experience as a board member, a parent, and a business owner provides me with a unique set of skills and background that no other board member has.This will be my 5th term in which I have served the students, staff, parents, and residents of the Whitnall School District. There will be 4 board members serving their first term and 2 members in their second term; I will be the only member that has the historical context of the district as a board member and the only member that has been through the process of hiring and onboarding a superintendent. In addition, I will be the only member that has gone through the process of 2 referendums (one that passed and one that didn’t) and understanding the difference between the results. During my board tenure, I have earned a Level 3 designation through WASB by attending workshops, conventions, seminars, and trainings on how to be an effective school board member and the diverse topics facing public school districts.
Student achievement is my number one priority. We have implemented new math and literacy curricula (prior to state mandates), provided necessary training to our staff, and have already seen academic growth and outcome gains. We have also increased the opportunities for student success in the trades and the arts. Our data has already exceeded benchmarks and we are on track for continued success.
As a former board officer and chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee, I have helped influence the district budget, how and where voter taxpayer money is spent, and the overall fiscal health of the district. This is evidenced in our excellent bond rating and overall low debt. We will have paid off our referendum early while saving our taxpayers $2.5 million in interest.
As a retired business owner, I have a successful track record in business and working with employees which is an asset to our district in the role of a board member.
What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?
My wife Kelly and I moved into the district in 2007 and immediately got involved. Kelly volunteered at all of the district schools our daughters attended and I got involved with Whitnall Youth Baseball and the Whitnall School District 50th Anniversary.
I have also volunteered for several annual events of the EES PTO, Whitnall Falcon Booster Club, and WHS Golf Outing. I have volunteered for the WHS Payday event, Whitnall Forest clean up, and am a member of the Whitnall Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Committee. An annual highlight is driving my Harley with the Easter Bunny on the back for our Annual Hoppin’ Harley ride for school district families.
Please review all of my qualifications at my website www.quin4whitnall.com. I ask for your vote on April 2, 2024.
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Sean Flynn
Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?
I believe that nothing is as important as ensuring that young people are properly trained in skills that prepare them for success in life. Our local public schools are an asset to everyone in the community when they are strong and successful. The Whitnall School District has many strengths and many opportunities for continuous improvement to become even stronger. As someone committed to service, I want to help the Whitnall School District achieve and perform at the highest levels.
What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?
From my service in the United States Air Force and now working as a recruiter in the private sector, I have a passion for helping people find the right fit for their professional lives. My focus will include helping students find opportunities beyond the classroom to include activities, athletics, life skills, and job skills. I fully support well-rounded job opportunities including work in the trades, small business, and civil service. While many students choose college, it is not the best fit for every student and I feel that Whitnall must offer a wide range of paths for students to find their best fit.
What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?
My wife Tracy and I are raising our family in Hales Corners, where we purchased a home in 2020. We currently have four children currently attending the Whitnall Schools, with kids at Hales Corners Elementary, Whitnall Middle School and Whitnall High School, so we have had a lot of experience and involvement with Whitnall at three schools. We also have raised two young adults who have finished high school and are pursuing careers and post-secondary education. Our family has a lot of experience and we will be very involved in the schools for many years to come. Our kids are active as student athletes in wrestling, basketball and tae kwon do as well as music. We have a strong family life, volunteer at and support the schools, and believe in community service and involvement.
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Sarah Blonsky
Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?
As a Whitnall community member, educator, and parent I am deeply invested in maintaining and improving on the success of our School District. In the past few years, I have become increasingly concerned with the dysfunction of our School Board. I believe all stakeholders have a right to transparency and should be represented by responsible decision makers.
I would like to see the board prioritize critical issues and work together to meet the needs of ALL students and staff in the district. As a member of the board, I will listen to diverse views and work with my colleagues to carry out our goal of making sure that every student is successful at Whitnall.
What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?
I am a passionate educator, parent, and disability advocate.
As a licensed educator, I have the background knowledge and education to understand the work of a School District. In my teaching career, I worked as a Head Start and Kindergarten teacher building the foundation for students to learn and grow into well-rounded citizens. In 2016, I was surprised with the early birth of my son who is medically complex. I made the very difficult decision to put my career on hold, but my passion for education never wavered.
I have dedicated the past 7 years to advocating for children with disabilities. I co-founded and run a support group for over 200 parents of children with Down Syndrome. I am trained as a parent mentor with Parent-to-Parent Wisconsin. Their training focuses on listening and communication skills. In 2018, I was named the GiGi's Playhouse Milwaukee Volunteer of the Year for my work developing and leading multiple educational programs. My experience as a disability advocate and volunteer gives me a unique perspective on how to make schools more inclusive and accessible for ALL students.
I am a strong advocate for parental engagement and help families navigate complex systems like the school system. I am known as an effective and creative problem solver. I have the patience and persistence to help families work together with school staff and administration to help their children achieve at their highest levels.
I understand the school board’s role as a governing body. I am a 2020 graduate of Partners in Policymaking and a 2023 graduate of Families as Partners. These particular trainings emphasize collaboration and policymaking. This school year, I am the only new candidate who has attended almost every school board meeting in person giving me insight into the current work being done. This led to my involvement with the Whitnall Resident Engagement Network (WREN) where I strive to increase parent and community involvement and transparency within our district. My diverse experiences, training, and passion for education and community have prepared me to be a Whitnall Board member.
What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?
I am the proud Mother to two children, Monty and Cecilia. Cecilia is 2 years old and already looking forward to attending Whitnall Schools. Monty is 7 years old and has been attending Whitnall Schools since he turned 3 years old in Fall 2019. Monty has Down Syndrome and began his Whitnall career at Hales Corners Elementary in Early Childhood and now is a 1st grader at Edgerton Elementary.
From day one, Whitnall School District has held high expectations for Monty while working to include him with his typically developing peers. I feel truly blessed to be part of a district that values inclusion and strives to meet the needs of ALL students. In addition to being a parent to a child in Whitnall Schools I briefly worked as a substitute teacher this fall and volunteer with the PTO. I am proud to have the opportunity to continue to support the work of our district as a School Board Candidate.
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