Education
Bachelor's Degree in Organizational and Professional Communication and Business Administration
Community Involvement
Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Melrose, various volunteering initiatives
With 12 years of experience in human resources, I currently serve as the Human Resources Manager for a well-respected local business known for its exceptional workplace culture and service to the community. I bring extensive knowledge in employee relations, development, compensation, benefits, recruiting, retention, and employment law. I hold a certification in Human Resources Compliance and have contributed to many successful continuous improvement and strategic planning initiatives. My strong background in community involvement includes volunteering with The Friends of Melrose and serving as a former Assistant Coach for the Black River Falls/Mel-Min High School Girls Hockey Team. Additionally, I am in my second elected term as a Board Member for the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, where I have become connected with the local business community, and have gained experience serving on a Board of Directors. I am also a mother of children who are/will be enrolled in the district.
My motivation to serve on the school board stems from a direct investment and concern for the quality of education and experiences our children receive. I am committed to ensuring that our staff maintains the highest standards, as their excellence directly impacts student success. High quality staff is the direct result of being a great employer; I aim to add insight to the Board of Directors that helps support and retain quality staff, ensuring a positive and productive working and learning environment. I believe that maintaining our strong school district is crucial for the overall success of our communities as a whole and the caliber of citizens who reside and contribute to them. With my background and experiences, I feel confident that I can support the district's success through effective policies and procedures. I have successfully implemented employee engagement programs in my current role, which have significantly improved retention rates and workplace satisfaction.
To recruit top talent, school districts can go above and beyond current requirements to advertise job openings to diverse audiences and through multiple channels, reaching a more broad and varied pool of candidates. Retaining top talent is all about creating an excellent workplace culture, where staff feel appreciated, supported, and encouraged to contribute their unique strengths and draw on diverse experiences. Creating a culture of flexibility, collaboration, and inclusiveness is essential. Additionally, focusing on employee development through continuous training, professional growth, and leadership opportunities will help staff continuously improve and grow in their careers and capabilities. This can motivate and retain high-performing employees. Moreover, recognizing and appreciating employees for their good work is crucial in fostering a positive work environment where staff feel acknowledged and motivated to contribute to overall success.
The role of a school board member in advocating for the community is multifaceted and crucial. A school board member serves as a bridge between the school district and the community, ensuring that the needs and concerns of students, parents, and staff are heard and addressed. Being a well-connected and active community member is essential in this role, as it allows the board member to stay informed about local issues, build strong relationships, and foster trust within the community.
School board members also communicate the district's goals, achievements, and challenges to the community, fostering transparency and trust, while respecting confidentiality of all involved.
Rural school districts like Melrose-Mindoro face several budget issues that impact their ability to retain staff and provide quality education. Funding shortfalls due to declining enrollment and limited local tax bases, unpredictable and insufficient State and Federal funding, the high costs of maintaining and upgrading facilities, and keeping up with modern technology and resources pose a significant burden. Our district will vote on an operating referendum in the April election. The result of this election will determine the extent to which we must make budget cuts. If resources are limited, I believe core curriculum/education, small class sizes, and adequate health and safety measures for our facilities and transportation should be prioritized. Secondly would be maintaining a positive workplace culture and retaining our talented staff. I would support exploring outside community partnerships and grant opportunities that may bring funds into the district to ease the burden.
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