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Kimberly school board has four candidates for two positions

James R. Boots, Penny Hoh, Brian Regal, and Debbie Roberts are on the ballot for members of the Kimberly Area School District’s board of education on the April 5 ballot. Hoh and Roberts are the incumbents.
 
James R. Boots, D.C.
What areas do you feel the district is strong in, and which areas need improvement?
I believe our district has demonstrated strengths in academics, athletics, art, and performing arts as well as in leadership training. The district works very hard to prepare our youth for college and the ACT scores attest to that fact. However, I believe our district needs to put greater emphasis on preparing our students to meet the needs of the current employment market. There is a huge shortage of tradesmen and tradeswomen. Many of these jobs are high paying and do not require a large college debt to obtain.
 
Why are you interested in serving on the school board?
I was asked to run by parents concerned that their rights to influence the health and education of their children have been removed. Parents have the right to make health decisions for their children and deserve a voice in our educational system. Parents should be more involved in the school board decisions that directly impact their children. The students of today will soon be the adults in charge of our society. It is vital that all citizens can be assured our students will be prepared for this challenge.
 
Do you have education or experience in a field relevant to the election?
I graduated from college in 1985 with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The word “doctor” comes from the Latin word for “teacher” which is “docere” meaning “to teach.” My brother, Dr. Bill Boots, and I run a very successful chiropractic clinic with help from my two sons, Dr. Matthew Boots and Dr. Kevin Boots. Just like the school board, we have to discuss the details necessary to run our business like contracting, staffing, records, budgets, expenditures, equipment, facility, etc. In the past, I have had experience as a board member of the Kimberly Area Jaycees for approximately 15 years. In 1989, I co-founded Paperfest with my cousin, Dennis Smits, and have served on its board of directors to date.
 
What is your position on the district’s COVID-19 mitigation plan and procedures?
Current board members are good people who care about the students and teachers and did what they thought was best. However, as citizens, our constitutional rights are never suspended, even during pandemics. Our rights were tossed aside by authorities all across our nation.
Masking, social distancing, and online classes had very little impact on the spread of COVID-19 but the physical, mental, psychological, emotional and economic damage to students will be felt for generations. Parents should have been able to decide for their children whether or not to mask or to attend school in person. Teachers should have had a choice regarding masking.
 
Penny Hoh
What areas do you feel the district is strong in, and which areas need improvement?
KASD is a high achieving district providing many opportunities for ALL students to excel in academics, arts, co-curriculars and athletics. Through Academic and Career Planning we prepare students for college, career and life from 5K through senior year. This helps students explore their skills, interests and personality. Their path could lead them to college, technical school, workforce or military service. 
We provide many AP and advanced classes which earn students’ college credits and tuition savings.  Our ACE Academy (Architectural, Construction, and Engineering Academy) is a program that focuses on helping high school students explore and obtain rewarding careers in the construction industry.
An issue we all need to be concerned with is the lack of funding for public education. Some difficult decisions face us in the next couple of years as we strive to improve as a district and determine how to attract and keep our best and brightest teachers.       
 
Why are you interested in serving on the school board?
I am running for re-election because I am a loyal supporter of public schools and plan to help make KASD an even better district. I am committed to finding ways to provide a high-quality education to every child by striving to give them “what they need, when they need it.” 
I believe community engagement is important, but there is no room for political propaganda at school board meetings. Our focus needs to remain on educating the next generation in a positive, quality environment where each student thrives.    
 
Do you have education or experience in a field relevant to the election?
It has been my privilege to be elected to serve our community on the board for almost 18 years. My experience includes attending the annual state education conventions, local seminars, and several National School Board Association conferences. The learning curve is steep, so my reelection would provide stability and much needed knowledge to navigate the current challenges we face. Our experienced school board has earned the community’s trust.       
 
What is your position on the district’s COVID-19 mitigation plan and procedures?
I support mask mandates when they are recommended by the experts, including infectious disease doctors, local health departments, and scientists. I rely on them since I am not a doctor nor a health expert. I am fully vaccinated and boosted and believe vaccines are highly safe and effective in helping to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death. 
I feel my responsibility is to listen, read, and make decisions based on the information available to me.  
For additional information, please visit my Facebook page, Penny Hoh for Kimberly School Board at facebook.com/PennyHohKASD.
 
Brian Regal
What areas do you feel the district is strong in, and which areas need improvement?
Over the years Kimberly has had garnered many accolades across multiple spectrums, and that is amazing.  Definitely cannot take our eyes off that ball.  Yet there are some areas that do suffer.  Many have and continue to be disenfranchised by 425 Washington St. and some board members.  That needs to end regardless of your status in the community. Ensuring our students are ready for what is beyond our district, may it be military service, trades, or advanced education.  There are more routes than one.  Keeping it simple and focusing on simple ideas ensuring the base is on rock not sand.  With space being available for open enrollment for the first time in a decade, we need to determine why all of a sudden there are open reservations at this fancy restaurant.  Not to mention potential funding shortfalls.
 
Why are you interested in serving on the school board?
My interest in serving on the school board stems from taking note that many of our liberties, freedoms and traditional American values being under siege before our very eyes.  We need to safeguard our replacements, our precious children.  Seeing this I had to get involved, and I would like to stave off as much as I can as a Christian Conservative.
 
Do you have education or experience in a field relevant to the election?
As the only one in the picture who currently has students enrolled in the district, I would say that I have a different vantage point than others currently in the field.  Not to mention my experience as a Combat Veteran and being able to pivot rapidly and navigate through government processes.  I also come to the table with a degree focusing on leadership & organizational management.  Furthermore I have lived in multiple countries and thus can make that global connection right back to Kimberly.
 
What is your position on the district’s COVID-19 mitigation plan and procedures?
In the USA we are traditionally known worldwide as the land of the free and home of the brave.  Over the last couple of years, that has not always held true when it comes to this subject.  Initially there was pandemonium, collectively as a society we did not have a solid direction.  We all did the best we could.  As time went one, we learned more, but many politicized it for whatever reason or fears then leading to further confusion.  This severely hindered progress locally and beyond.  We need to get back to embodying the land of the free and home of the brave in Kimberly. Ensure parents have choice here and among other things.  If you are sick, stay home…simple.
 
Debbie Roberts
What areas do you feel the district is strong in, and which areas need improvement?
Kimberly continues to be a high achieving and low spending public school district.  We are successful not only in academics but also in the arts, clubs, and athletics.  While we are proud of these accomplishments, we are always searching for ways to improve.  
Student needs are more complex than ever.  We need to educate the whole child — inspire curiosity, foster communication, teach life skills, recognize and nurture talent — which sets the foundation for learning. These skills empower students to be creative problem solvers, prepared to achieve during uncertain and unpredictable times.
We need to recruit and retain creative and innovative staff and provide them with the time, tools, professional development, and comprehensive support as much as possible with the limited funds available to us.
While rising health care costs and declining enrollment are difficult to predict and control, we need to continue to be good stewards of our taxpayer’s money during these times of budget uncertainty.
 
Why are you interested in serving on the school board?
I care about kids. I have enjoyed my time on the board and am proud of this district and its many accomplishments.  I want to be part of our continued efforts to move Kimberly from a good school district to a great school district!  I am extremely thankful to this district for the privilege of representing you and would welcome, appreciate, and be honored to continue to serve. 
 
Do you have education or experience in a field relevant to the election?
In my 27 years serving on the KASD Board of Education, I have learned a great deal.  I attended multiple national, state, and regional conferences, earning the highest level award of board achievement from the Wisconsin School Board Association.  Over the years, I served on several district committees including referendum, staff development, graduation requirements, long-term planning, teacher negotiations, and finance. My background in accounting, finance, and real estate has also been beneficial in my ability to serve you. I have worked with three superintendents and dozens of fellow board members.  One of my strengths is my ability to work well with others. I feel that this knowledge and experience qualifies me as an effective school board member. I believe that I have and can continue to make a difference.
 
What is your position on the district’s COVID-19 mitigation plan and procedures?
I feel that our mitigation plan and procedures have been successful, allowing KASD to maintain in-person learning throughout the pandemic. We thank our students, parents, and staff for their cooperation and understanding during the past two years of constant change and uncertainty.