Posted: Feb. 2, 2010 |(0) Comments

Public Forum:

I'm writing to you today to let you know that my tenure on the Maple Dale-Indian School Board is ending. While being involved in the Maple Dale-Indian Hill schools continues to be a rewarding experience, I have always felt that School Board members should have children in the district they serve, and next year, my youngest son moves onto Nicolet, from Maple Dale.

When I was first elected to the School Board in 2004, our schools were suffering from a lack of leadership at both the board and administrative levels. At that time, board members and the superintendent were poor listeners. Additionally, staff morale was low. It had been many years since a new contract had been approved, and there had been a long standing unsettled lawsuit between the union and the board. Worst of all, parents were removing their kids from our schools to attend other schools.

After a very painful first year, the successive years quickly improved with the seating of new board members and a new administration. The board settled the teachers contract and the lawsuit, and revamped our administrative structure. Once again, our reputation is back to where it belongs, our student population is on the rise, and our staff continues to prove that our students are well prepared for high school.

I have decided to move on with my kids, and am currently a candidate for the Nicolet School Board. I have no agenda. I do not go into this with the idea that something is wrong, or that there is something to fix at Nicolet. My eyes will be open, and I will be listening carefully. My goals are to have the finest possible high school for our children, with the best possible staff, teachers and administrators. It is really just that simple.

 

Joe Kasle

Fox Point