Verona Area School District elections (2016)
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Two of the seven seats on the Verona Area School District school board were up for at-large general election on April 5, 2016. The seats of Portion 2 incumbent Amy Almond and at-large incumbent Kenneth L. Behnke were up for election. Almond filed for re-election and ran for the seat unopposed. She was successful in retaining her seat on the board. Behnke did not seek re-election and two candidates vied for the at-large seat: Charyn Grandau and Noah Roberts. Roberts was victorious in securing the at-large seat.[1]
Elections
Voter and candidate information
The Verona Area School Board consists of seven at-large members elected to three-year terms. The board consists of three members who reside in specific geographic regions and four at large members.[2]
To be elected to the board, candidates must reside in the boundaries of the school district for 28 days prior to the filing of a "Declaration of Candidacy" form. Furthermore, at the time of taking office, each candidate must be a resident of the apportioned area he or she is elected to represent.[3] Candidates must also be 18 years old and citizens of the United States. Unless pardoned, those who have been convicted of a felony are not eligible for election to office in Wisconsin.[4]
Candidates had until January 5, 2016, to collect between 20 and 100 signatures for their nomination papers. The signatures had to come from residents of the district where the candidate sought election, but the petition circulators were not required to reside in the district or municipality. Circulators were required to be U.S. citizens and 18 years or older.[5] The candidate filing deadline for this election was January 8, 2016. There was no primary election, and the general election for two seats was held April 5, 2016.
Candidates and results
Portion 2
Results
| Verona Area School District, Portion 2 General Election, 3-year term, 2016 |
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| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Amy Almond Incumbent (unopposed) |
99.08% | 6,227 |
| Write-in votes | 0.92% | 58 |
| Total Votes (100) | 6,285 | |
| Source: Dane County Clerk's Office, "2016 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote," accessed June 15, 2016 | ||
Candidates
Amy Almond 
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At-large
Results
| Verona Area School District, At-Large General Election, 3-year term, 2016 |
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|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Noah Roberts |
67.95% | 5,452 |
| Charyn Grandau | 31.37% | 2,517 |
| Write-in votes | 0.67% | 54 |
| Total Votes (100) | 8,023 | |
| Source: Dane County Clerk's Office, "2016 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote," accessed June 15, 2016 | ||
Candidates
| Charyn Grandau | Noah Roberts
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Additional elections
- See also: Wisconsin elections, 2016
The Verona Area School District election shared the ballot with the state's presidential preference vote.[6] County residents also elected county board members.[7]
Key deadlines
The following dates were key deadlines for Wisconsin school board elections in 2016:[8]
| Deadline | Event |
|---|---|
| January 5, 2016 | Candidate filing deadline |
| January 26, 2016 | Referendum submission deadline |
| March 28, 2016 | Pre-general election campaign finance deadline |
| April 5, 2016 | Election Day |
| April 25, 2016 | Board members take office |
| July 15, 2016 | Post-election campaign finance deadline |
Endorsements
Do you know of an official or organization that has endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at editor@ballotpedia.org.
Campaign finance
School board candidates
Candidates were only required to file campaign finance reports if they accepted contributions, made disbursements or incurred obligations in an aggregate amount of more than $2,000 in a calendar year. [9] The pre-general election campaign finance deadline was on March 28, 2016.
What was at stake?
League of Women Voters candidate questionnaire
The following are the candidates' responses to the candidate questionnaire published by the League of Women Voters of Dane County:[10]
Noah Roberts
1. What in your professional and community background qualifies you for this elective office?
I have lived in the Verona Area School District my whole life. My unique experience affords a perspective that understands the daily operations of the district. Last year, I served as President of the VAHS NHS Chapter, captain for two varsity sports, Chairman of Community Service on a Leadership Council, and graduated with highest honors. At the UW, I currently serve on three executive student councils. Additionally, I serve as one of 15 campus-wide members on the Student Services Financial Committee which manages over $45 million of segregated fees. I’m a proven leader dedicated to educating and inspiring our students.
2. What is the most important issue facing your school district, and what are your ideas for addressing that issue?
Our district is facing numerous challenges as we adjust during this time of change. We have implemented a misguided approach that reduces the quality of education our students are receiving. It is the district’s responsibility to provide our students - our future - with the best education possible. I believe we can do better. Through the lack of inclusion, respect, and transparency toward teachers, parents, and students alike, this district has diminished our students’ learning environment. This issue is all-encompassing - if we do not address it, we fail to accomplish our most basic and critical objective. I will rectify this issue.
3. How should your school district improve its efforts to meet the diverse needs of its students?
First and foremost, we must work to create an environment in which students receive the best possible education. This is done through inclusion of teachers, parents, students and community leaders when examining solutions to issues, as well as transparency in regards to decision-making, information, and motive. Through rigorous and prudent planning in regards to the growth and development of the district, many issues that prove diminishing to students’ academics may be prevented. Through promotion and implementation of active, engaging, hands-on learning, our students will gain critical skills to flourish post-graduation as civically engaged, responsible, and passionate citizens.
Charyn Grandau
1. What in your professional and community background qualifies you for this elective office?
I have worked and volunteered in education for much of my adult life. I spent six years on the VASD school board and three on the New Century site council. Currently, I am the President of the New Century Board of Directors. I have taught environmental education to elementary age children and I have been an adjunct professor at three different universities. I'm a frequent volunteer in our schools. I'm currently leading an after-school program in cursive writing. My participation has given me a range of perspectives on how our schools function and how our children learn.
2. What is the most important issue facing your school district, and what are your ideas for addressing that issue?
School districts continually face new challenges and issues. Communication is key in solving these effectively. We must have open,clear two-way communication between all parties. Recently, communication in the District has faltered and failed. Parents and teachers feel discouraged and misinformed on important issues, especially those related to coursework expectations and discipline. The Board must ensure that their vision on these issues is informed by all parties and decisions are clearly articulated. I will work to ensure we have open communication and to create a cooperative atmosphere where all voices are heard.
3. How should your school district improve its efforts to meet the diverse needs of its students?
Students come to us from different backgrounds, with many diverse needs. We must meet each student where they are and challenge them to fulfill their potential. All students need support and opportunities in their education. We must ensure that everyone has access to these when they need them. We must remove barriers, while seeking opportunities for all levels of academics. We have a wealth of potential community partners, regionally and nationally, that can meet students needs and provide opportunities. I would seek out and cultivate these partnership for the greater good of all our students and staff.
Amy Almond
1. What in your professional and community background qualifies you for this elective office?
I have served on the school board for 10 years. I have a bachelors degree in Business Administration-Economics, a minor in business law with a concentration in accounting. I have three children; one in middle school, one in high school and a VASD graduate currently in college. I am concerned about the future of education for all students and teachers. Education is the key to success for all. The better job we do educating our youth, the stronger our community will be.
2. What is the most important issue facing your school district, and what are your ideas for addressing that issue?
School funding will present challenges for our growing district. We have fiscal responsibilities to our students, staff, facilities, and taxpayers. Balancing these needs is difficult. I will address growing space needs efficiently, so funds can stay where they are needed most, with students in the classroom and for staff development. Being deliberate with building maintenance projects that will also improve energy efficiency. Create flexible learning spaces that can be changed and modified for multiple school and community uses. Advocating for State educational funding is essential for future success.
3. How should your school district improve its efforts to meet the diverse needs of its students?
Innovations in education and new technology can engage learners in new ways. I will work to help remove current barriers to add flexibility in how education is delivered to students. Opportunities in technology advances can help track student growth more readily allowing for changes in the curriculum to meet students where and when the need is greatest. Connecting with our community's resources can help close achievement gaps and build relationships with district and city resources. We need to continue to advocate for resources on a state wide level to address the achievement gap for all of Wisconsin students.
About the district
- See also: Verona Area School District, Wisconsin
The Verona Area School District serves the community of Verona in Dane County. Located in south-central Wisconsin, the county was home to approximately 516,284 residents in 2014, according to the United States Census Bureau.[11] Madison is the seat of its government. The district was the 28th-largest school district in the state in the 2013–2014 school year and served 5,433 students.[12]
Demographics
Higher education achievement
Dane County outperformed Wisconsin as a whole in terms of higher education achievement in 2013. The United States Census Bureau found that 46.6 percent of Dane County residents aged 25 years and older had attained a bachelor's degree, compared to 26.8 percent for the state as a whole.[11]
Median household income
From 2009 through 2013, the median household income in the county was $61,721, compared to $52,413 for the state of Wisconsin.[11] During that same period, the median household income for the entire United States was $53,046.[13]
Poverty rate
The poverty rate in Dane County was 12.9 percent from 2009 through 2013. During that same period, the poverty rate was 13.0 percent statewide, and it was 15.4 percent for the country as a whole.[11][13]
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Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Verona Area School District' 'Wisconsin'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Verona Area School District | Wisconsin | School Boards |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Elisabeth Moore, Phone conversation with Verona Area School District representative Tamera Stanley, January 14, 2016
- ↑ Verona Area School District, "School Board Elections," accessed January 14, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Wisconsin Candidate Eligibility," accessed September 22, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates: Getting on the Ballot," accessed September 22, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "State Statutes: CHAPTER 8," accessed September 22, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "2016 Spring Election and Presidential Preference Vote," accessed January 12, 2016
- ↑ Dane County Government Clerk's Office, "2016 Spring Election Candidates," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Campaign Finance Report Dates 2016, 2017 and 2018," accessed January 25, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin State Legislature, "11.0104 Reporting exemptions: limited activity," accessed January 26, 2016
- ↑ League of Women Voters of Dane County, Inc., "Verona Area School Board," accessed April 4, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 United States Census Bureau, "Dane County, Wisconsin," accessed July 6, 2015
- ↑ National Center for Education Statistics, "ELSI Table Generator," accessed November 16, 2015
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 United States Census Bureau, "State & County QuickFacts: USA," accessed July 6, 2015
- ↑ Dane County Clerk's Office, "Election Results," accessed January 27, 2014
| 2016 Verona Area School District Elections | |
| Election date: | April 5, 2016 |
| Candidates: | Incumbent, Amy Almond • Charyn Grandau • Noah Roberts |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
