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Steve Zach
Steve Zach was a member of the Oregon School Board, representing Area I. He assumed office in 1999.
Zach ran for re-election to the Oregon School Board to represent Area I. He won in the general election on April 3, 2018.
Biography
Zach is an attorney practicing labor and employment law. He graduated summa cum laude from Norbert College in 1980 and cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1983. Active in his community, Zach founded the Oregon Area Educational Foundation, Inc. and Oregon Youth Baseball, Inc.[1]
Elections
2018
- See also: Oregon School District elections (2018)
Two of the seven seats on the Oregon School District school board in Wisconsin were up for at-large general election on April 3, 2018. Area I incumbent Steve Zach was re-elected without opposition. Area IV incumbent Jeff Ramin did not file for re-election, leaving the seat open. Troy Pankratz won the Area IV seat unopposed.[2][3]
Results
General election
General election for Oregon School District school board, Area I
Incumbent Steve Zach won election in the general election for Oregon School District school board, Area I on April 3, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Steve Zach (Nonpartisan) | 98.4 | 3,287 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.6 | 53 | ||
| Total votes: 3,340 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2015
| Oregon School District, Area I General Election, 3-year term, 2015 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Steve Zach |
56.5% | 2,087 | |
| Nonpartisan | Marilyn McDole | 43.3% | 1,600 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 5 | |
| Total Votes | 3,692 | |||
| Source: Dane County Clerk's Office, "2015 Spring Election Official Canvass," accessed December 22, 2016 | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
League of Women Voters survey
Zach participated in the following survey conducted by the League of Women Voters of Dane County. The questions are bolded, and Zach's responses follow below.
What in your professional and community background qualifies you for this elective office?
| “ |
I am completing my 19th year on the Oregon School Board. I have been Board President the last two years and have served on all Board committees during my tenure. I am an attorney and part of my practice encompasses school law.[4] |
” |
| —Steve Zach, 2018[5] | ||
How should the district address disparities in student achievement?
| “ |
Our District is guided by Five Values which were established by our latest strategic plan. Among these is 'Educational Equity,' which commits our District to implement practices to assist all of our learners in achieving academic, career and personal success. Our District is currently in the second year of a focus on equity practices and strategies. We monitor our achievement data under another Value - 'Emphasis on the Whole Child.' By focusing on the 'Whole Child,' we are better able to address factors that motivate each learner towards success.[4] |
” |
| —Steve Zach, 2018[5] | ||
Are there additional steps the district should take to effectively recruit and retain an outstanding and diverse workforce?
| “ |
Our District taxpayers recently approved a referendum which authorized an override in our revenue limits by $1.5m for the sole purpose of funding our new Educator Compensation Plan. In addition, we re-allocated our budget to add another $1.5 m to that Plan. This will allow our District to recruit and retain quality educators. As part of this commitment, we actively recruit in an attempt to make our workforce diverse. Our strategic plan, set forth in the "Path Forward," and our newly renovated facilities make our District an attractive learning environment.[4] |
” |
| —Steve Zach, 2018[5] | ||
In this time of uncertain state and federal support for public education, what are your top three spending priorities for the district?
| “ |
Our building Leadership Teams, administration, and faculty are currently engaged in evaluating and implementing practices which lead directly to enhanced student learning. The initiatives that come from this work will ensure that District tax dollars are being used efficiently and effectively. The recent increase in state funding allowed the Board to adopt a fiscal plan that provides us with flexibility in the next two District budgets. Our Growth Task Force is compiling data and options to prudently, economically and strategically address the significant growth we will experience in the next 15 years.[4] |
” |
| —Steve Zach, 2018[5] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ BoardmanClark, "Steve Zach," accessed March 21, 2018
- ↑ Abbey Smith, "Email communication with district clerk," January 3, 2018
- ↑ Dane County Elections, "2018 Spring Election Unofficial Canvass," accessed April 3, 2018
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 League of Women Voters of Dane County, "Oregon School Board," accessed March 21, 2018
| Oregon School District elections in 2018 | |
| Dane County, Wisconsin | |
| Election date: | April 3, 2018 |
| Candidates: | Area I: Incumbent, Steve Zach Area IV: Troy Pankratz |
| Important information: | What was at stake? |
