Critelli is practical, smart, straight talker

I am voting for Mark Critelli in the school board election next week. This is because of his pragmatic, people-centered style of leadership.

Critelli sees right to the heart of a matter. He researches and thinks about a problem or issue, and then he gets to the real point and recommends effective action.

He is a straight talker who is not afraid to make his practical, down-to-earth viewpoints known. I loved how he called Grant School “the shoehorn option” when it was being considered as a middle school possibility. It is refreshing to have an intelligent leader who is not afraid to speak up and take a stand.

Critelli is also keenly aware of who elects him to office. He listens and responds to his constituents thoughtfully and personally, even if the issue involves only a few people.

Critelli also listens when the whole city unites behind one idea and represents us accordingly, as per the middle school issue. He values all the programs our schools offer as well as the value of our tax dollars and does not spend frivolously.

For his common sense, constituent awareness, and superior leadership skills, Critelli will be at the top of my list on Tuesday. He is the right leader, right now.

Lisa L. Lonsdale

Marshfield

Wald’s professional experience would serve him well on school board

I am endorsing Dan Wald for the Marshfield School Board. I have known Dan personally for several years and find him to be dependable and worthy of my trust.

Dan has a four-year degree from UW-Stout, majoring in industrial technology. Coursework included English, American history, physics, chemistry, and mathematics, including calculus. He experienced hands-on factory employment and farm work, including milking cows, as he worked his way through college.

Employed 21 years as a product engineer at Wisconsin Homes, Dan interfaces with the management group, factory workers, buyers, sellers, and Wisconsin building code inspectors. Recently, while working full time, he completed a continuing  education “Lean Manufacturing” course, which emphasized high quality manufacturing using resources efficiently, thus reducing costs per unit produced.

Cost containment, while improving the quality of student education, is a constant challenge for all school boards. Dan could assist our current board in that effort.

During his school board campaign, Dan has toured Grant, Lincoln, Nasonville, Washington, and Madison schools, meeting with administration, teachers, food preparers, and custodians to learn about opportunities to maintain and improve what is already an excellent educational system. He as attended some PTO meetings. He is planning to visit the middle and high schools.

Dan Wald is aware that Marshfield has excellent schools. Marshfield High School for instance, ranks very high year after year. His experience as a project engineer at Wisconsin Homes has taught him the importance of educating students for entering the Wisconsin workforce to fill the multitude of unfilled jobs requiring technical skills in our basic economy.

On April 5 vote Dan Wald to the Marshfield School Board.

Sidney Johnson

Marshfield

Yakaites, Leifheit are proven ‘advocates for kids’

How exciting it is to have two votes to cast and two candidates for school board in Marshfield who have proven records as advocates for kids. Amber Leifheit has first-hand experience as a substitute teacher and school volunteer, Pied Piper and Pathway Partners administrator, and six valuable years of experience on the school board in addition to her incredible support through the Marshfield Area Community Foundation.

Dale Yakaites has 35 years of experience as an English teacher in Marshfield, was an advisor on newspaper and yearbook staffs, a coach of multiple sports, and brings first-hand administrative expertise with computer technology and marketing for the district.

School board elections are vital to maintaining strong and safe schools. I urge you to vote for Amber and Dale on April 5. They “walk the talk” in caring about all students and keeping Marshfield the excellent school district our kids deserve.

Barb Gillespie

Marshfield