Click the links below |
Click the links below |
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My vision for the Sun Prairie School District. |
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Where to vote? |
Community Background. |
Absentee Voting. |
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My position on the challenges we face as a school district. |
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Personal background |
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It is critical to develop a strategic plan that will allow the Sun Prairie Area School District to provide an excellent educational experience for every student. This plan is important because of the projected growth of Sun Prairie and the communities served by the School District.
The School Board must address the educational and extracurricular needs of all students as well as the needs of the community.
Community Background
Citizen Representative to the Sun Prairie School Board's Facilities, Transportation, and Technology Committee 2004-2006.
Sun Prairie Business and Education Partnership Board of Directors (current Vice President, past Secretary) 2003-2006.
Patrick Marsh Middle School volunteer reader 2005-2006.
Adopt-A-Classroom Partner with 4th grade at Northside Elementary 2002-2006.
Junior Achievement volunteer 2005-2006.
Graduate of Sun Prairie Leadership VII 2004.
Sun Prairie Relay for Life Committee Member 2004-2006.
My Position on the Challenges We Face as a School District
One large High School or "Neighborhood" High Schools?
Smaller learning environments promote success in education. They lead to greater participation in extra-curricular activities. Students who are more connected to their teachers and community are less likely to have issues with truancy, drugs, and alcohol.
What role should the School Board play in the community?
The School Board has the responsibility to create a vision for education in the community and to create policy that supports the vision. Once the strategic plan and policy are established, the board must work together to convey this plan to the community.
What place does technology have in the classroom?
As the number of schools in the community increases, technology can be used to share resources between schools. Shuttling staff between schools can be a thing of the past. Teachers and students throughout the district could be linked via technology.
How do we address the educational needs of our rapidly growing and diverse community?
Growth in Sun Prairie is ongoing. The subdivisions have been approved and construction has started. It is imperative that we establish a strategic plan for dealing with our growth. This strategy must focus on providing the highest quality education to our students without burdening the taxpayers.
Is it possible to meet the educational needs of all students?
As a community, I feel it is very important to strive towards equity in education. The No Child Left Behind bill puts a lot of emphasis on helping the students that are struggling. This is very important, but we can't forget about the students who are working at or above their grade level.
Personal Background
Married for 13 years to Kelly
One daughter, in 3rd grade at Royal Oaks
Sun Prairie home owner
Employed for 10 years at Trachte Building Systems, Inc. Sun Prairie, WI
Vice President of Production and Engineering Services
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from University of Wisconsin, Platteville
Licensed in 31 states as a Professional Engineer
Authorized and paid for by Friends of John Whalen for School Board, John Whalen Treasurer
District 1 Colonial Club 301 Blankenheim Drive
District 2 Patrick Marsh Middle School 1351Columbus Street
District 3 Sun Prairie Public Library 1350 Linnerud Drive
District 4 Prairie View Middle School 400 Thompson Road
If you have any questions please contact the City Clerk's Office at (608)
837-2511
If unable to come to the polling place on Election Day, City of Sun Prairie
residents may cast an absentee ballot at the office of the City Clerk at
City Hall, 300 East Main Street, up until the day before the election.
Absentee ballots are generally available approximately 3 weeks prior to an
election.
If you have not yet registered to vote, you will have to register in person
at the City Clerk's office before you can obtain an absentee ballot.
To receive an absentee ballot by mail, you must forward a written request
for an absentee ballot to the City Clerk's office, 300 East Main Street, Sun
Prairie WI.
You may request an absentee ballot using the State Election Board Form
(EB-121) or you may make the request by letter. Your letter requesting an
absentee ballot should include:
The name of the voter requesting the ballot.
The voter's City of Sun Prairie address.
Signatures of each registered voter requesting a ballot.
The address to which the ballot is to be sent (if different from the home
address).Upon receiving your request, the City Clerk will mail the ballot to you
along with complete instructions and a postage paid return envelope. Your
signature will be required on the outside of the ballot envelope along with
the signature of one witness.
In order to mail a ballot to you, the City Clerk must receive your written
request for an absentee ballot by the Friday before Election Day. Your
ballot must be returned by 5 p.m. on Election Day.
Call the City Clerk's office at 608-837-2511 for more information.