Mary Yacoub
Mary Yacoub was a candidate for at-large representative on the Hudson School District Board of Education in Wisconsin. The general election was held on April 5, 2016.[1]
Biography
Yacoub is a licensed realtor with Keller Williams Realty. She also owns her own painting business, On A Roll Painting. Yacoub formerly served as an alderperson for the city of Hudson. She obtained a bachelor's degree in social work and criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.[2]
Elections
2016
- See also: Hudson School District elections (2016)
Two of the seven at-large seats on the Hudson School District school board were up for general election on April 5, 2016. Incumbents Bruce Hanson and Jamie Johnson ran for re-election to their seats. Challenger Mary Yacoub also ran for election to the board. Hanson and Johnson defeated Yacoub for the two seats up for election.[1]
Results
| Hudson School District, At-Large General Election, 3-year terms, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Bruce Hanson Incumbent |
36.97% | 6,064 |
| Jamie Johnson Incumbent |
36.87% | 6,048 |
| Mary Yacoub | 26.16% | 4,292 |
| Total Votes (100) | 16,404 | |
| Source: Tiffany Rouse , "Email communication with Timothy Milner, Executive Administrative Assistant, Hudson School District," May 31, 2016 | ||
Funding
Yacoub reported no contributions or expenditures to the Hudson School District in the election.[3] Any candidate spending or receiving less than $2,000 was not required to file a campaign finance report.[4]
Endorsements
Yacoub did not receive any official endorsements during the election.
Campaign themes
Yacoub answered the following questions for a survey printed in the Hudson Star-Observer:
| “ | Why are you running for School Board?
I am running for school board because I think the previous school boards have dropped the ball on the needs of our school district. We need new ideas to find innovative ways to bring the students the correct balance between learning and skill set. Also, to continue to support our teachers and to reward those that deserve it through a merit pay system and start to eliminate those that are not teaching up to par for today’s student. We need to focus on being less top-heavy throughout the district offices and use the tax payer’s money in a manner to fill the gaps at the school level and to take care of the staff’s needs. The school board needs to work with the WIAA to get lacrosse recognized as a school sport, not just a club. I also want to get the school district to recognize that non-profits and other activities involving school use should be able to utilize our schools at a reasonable cost, after all, they already pay taxes. The fees that the district charges for use of spaces in the schools are outrageous. What do you see as the most important issues facing the Hudson School District over the next two years and beyond? One of the issues I feel we are facing over the next two years is keeping up with technology and constant change. Our students need to be properly prepared for the world. On that note, I want to see effective teachers in our school. Like previously mentioned, that would require an implementation of merit pay. I want to see improvement in our Spanish department. Spanish is the second language in this country. Our students who want to take Spanish should be able to actually learn the language. Common core has been one of the worst things our children have had to adjust to. I would like to see that removed from our curriculum over the next two years. There is one more thing I would like to point out regarding the upcoming referendum. The referendum is on the same ballot as this election. I think it is important for the voters to remind themselves that I am running to change and improve the future of our schools and education. Whether or not one is voting on the referendum should have no bearing as to whether or not I am the right person for the position. How do you plan to address those issues as a school board member? I have not yet had the opportunity to sit on the school board, but when elected I will go through the proper channels to start to work on and implement these changes, as well as many other issues I am sure will face the board. I am smart enough to know what I know and know what I don’t know. I hear everyday from people with issues that frustrate them facing our schools. I hear these things because I am willing to listen and research to find solutions. We need to work together as a board to continue to improve our already stellar school district. That is done by honest communication and everyone doing their part to bring the best action plans. I am willing to do that research and willing to work with the School Board to get the needs met. I plan to address these issues in a fiscally responsible way, working within our budget. We are at a time in our lives where every dollar earned is critical, and I intend to be aware of this while making decisions that affect the tax payers of our district. What makes you the best candidate for the job? I am the best candidate for the job because I am willing to listen and not bring my own bias into my decision making. I recognize that what might just be a “gallon of milk” a week to one person is a large expense to another. I have served as a public servant with dignity and respect, and I have not always made the popular vote, but that is what public service is. Your vote is for the bigger picture of all involved and although no decision is perfect, the only way to sleep at night is to know that I listened to the voices that spoke and took into consideration the possible differing views of those that didn’t have the courage to speak. That is what I have always done and will continue to do when elected. I will meet with any citizen, answer their calls, hear their concerns and work to achieve the best solutions. Is there anything else you would like the voters to know about you and/or your candidacy for a School Board seat? I have three children ages 12, 10, and 7 that attend Hudson public schools. My degree is in Social Work and Criminal Justice from UW-Whitewater. As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, I worked with Youth at Risk. During my time in the Peace Corps, I was responsible for elementary school students, stepping in as their Physical Ed teacher as well as their counselor. Living in Milwaukee, I was a caseworker in Child Protective Services. Since moving to Hudson, I worked in Dakota County as a wraparound case worker until I chose to stay home and raise my children. I got involved with local politics in 2010 when I was elected to the City Council. Elected officials sometimes struggle to see the impact they can make, but when they step back and look at the big picture, they realize that all the achievements big and small are significant, I would love to have that same impact working on the school board to improve education, not only for my children but for all of our children. [5] |
” |
| —Mary Yacoub (2016)[6] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Mary Yacoub' 'Hudson School District'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Hudson School District, Wisconsin
- Hudson School District elections (2016)
- Hot tub Gatorade, turnout in Peoria and the Wisconsin state...
- Wisconsin school districts 2014 review
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tiffany Rouse, "Email correspondence with Hudson School District's Executive Administrative Assistant Tim Miner," January 11, 2016
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Mary Yacoub," accessed February 8, 2016
- ↑ Tiffany Rouse, "Email correspondence with Hudson School District Executive Administrative Assistant Timothy Miner," March 29, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "Campaign Financing," accessed January 25, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Hudson Star-Observer, "Hudson School Board candidates state their cases," March 25, 2016
| 2016 Hudson School District Elections | |
| St. Croix County, Wisconsin | |
| Election date: | April 5, 2016 |
| Candidates: | Incumbent, Bruce Hanson • Incumbent, Jamie Johnson • Mary Yacoub |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional measures on the ballot |
