Ross Spitz
Ross Spitz ran for election to the Chippewa Falls Area School District Board of Education At-large in Wisconsin. Spitz lost in the general election on April 3, 2018.
Biography
Spitz is the business manager for Smiles in Motion Pediatric Dentistry and also provides traffic engineering consulting services. He graduated from the UW–Madiscon School of Engineering in 1998.[1]
Elections
2018
Two of the seven seats on the Chippewa Falls Area School District Board of Education in Wisconsin were up for at-large general election on April 3, 2018. Incumbent Staish Buchner did not file for re-election, leaving one open seat. Newcomers Sharon McIlquham and Steven Olson defeated incumbent Pat Allen and candidate Ross Spitz.[2][3]
Results
General election
General election for Chippewa Falls Area School District Board of Education At-large (2 seats)
Steven Olson and Sharon McIlquham defeated incumbent Pat Allen and Ross Spitz in the general election for Chippewa Falls Area School District Board of Education At-large on April 3, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Steven Olson (Nonpartisan) | 31.5 | 3,086 |
| ✔ |  | Sharon McIlquham (Nonpartisan) | 29.4 | 2,883 |
 | Pat Allen (Nonpartisan) | 20.8 | 2,044 | |
 | Ross Spitz (Nonpartisan) | 18.3 | 1,794 | |
| Total votes: 9,807 | |||
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2017
Two seats on the Chippewa Falls Area School District Board of Education were up for general election on April 4, 2017. Incumbents Pete Lehmann and Amy Mason faced defeated Ross Spitz in their bids for re-election.[4][5]
Results
| Chippewa Falls Area School District, General Election, 3-year terms, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Amy Mason Incumbent |
41.05% | 2,369 |
| Pete Lehmann Incumbent |
32.99% | 1,904 |
| Ross Spitz | 25.96% | 1,498 |
| Total Votes | 5,771 | |
| Source: Abbey Smith, “Email communication with Peggy McKillip, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District," May 2, 2017 | ||
Funding
Spitz filed an exemption statement detailing he would not spend or receive more than $2,000 toward his campaign. Because of this, he did not have to file additional campaign finance reports.[6]
Endorsements
Spitz was endorsed by the Wisconsin AFL-CIO and the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans.[7][8]
Campaign themes
2018
Leader-Telegram questionnaire
Spitz participated in the following survey conducted by Leader-Telegram. The questions provided by Leader-Telegram are bolded, and Spitz's responses follow below.
Why did you decide to run? What interested you in the position?
| “ | I have a lengthy background in working for the public sector and fell the skill set I bring to the table will be a nice addition to the goard. I am a strong supporter of public service and public education, and I see this is a great opportunity to contribute to our community. As a local business owner, I feel it is important that our local business community is connected with our schools.[9][10] | ” |
| —Ross Spitz, March 2018 | ||
Clearly, the results of the referendum will be the major item for the 3-year term. If the referendum passes, what will be your focus?
| “ | With my strong background in engineering and administering public works projects, I am confident I can help ensure that the referendum funding would be used to its fullest potential. I am very cognizant of the responsibility that comes with spending the community’s money and I would work very hard to make sure every dollar is put to its best use.[9][10] | ” |
| —Ross Spitz, March 2018 | ||
If it fails, how long should the board wait to go for another referendum? What would be your strategy moving forward?
| “ | If the majority of the voters do not support the referendum, as a Board we would first need to determine what they found not acceptable. Based on that information, I would then be able to determine what I would suggest as the next step. I feel our community, as a whole, understands the importance of adequately maintaining and upgrading our public-school system, I think it is just a matter of being fiscally responsible.[9][10] | ” |
| —Ross Spitz, March 2018 | ||
Why are you the best candidate and the most deserving of the public’s vote for this position?
| “ | I feel I am the best candidate because I am vested in the Chippewa Falls community. I have a strong background working with elected officials and community stakeholders. I am strongly committed in helping our schools provide our students the best opportunities to help them become successful adults.[9][10] | ” |
| —Ross Spitz, March 2018 | ||
See also
- Chippewa Falls Area School District, Wisconsin
- Chippewa Falls Area School District elections (2018)
- Chippewa Falls Area School District elections (2017)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, "School Board Candidates," accessed March 19, 2018
- ↑ Leader-Telegram, "7 candidates seek 4 EC school board seats," January 2, 2018
- ↑ Chippewa Falls Elections, "Preliminary Election Results," accessed April 3, 2018
- ↑ Leader-Telegram, "Most local officials running unopposed," January 4, 2017
- ↑ The Chippewa Herald, "Chippewa County election results," accessed April 4, 2017
- ↑ Abbey Smith, “Email communication with Peggy McKillip, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District" March 30, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin AFL-CIO, "Spring Election Endorsed Candidates," March 9, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, "WIARA Spring Election Endorsements," March 17, 2017
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Leader-Telegram, "Chippewa Falls school board race: Four vying for two spots," March 18, 2018
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
| Chippewa Falls Area School District elections in 2018 | |
| Chippewa County, Wisconsin | |
| Election date: | April 3, 2018 |
| Candidates: | At-Large: Incumbent, Pat Allen • Sharon McIlquham • Steven Olson • Ross Spitz |
| Important information: | What was at stake? |
| Chippewa Falls Area School District elections in 2017 | |
| Chippewa County, Wisconsin | |
| Election date: | April 4, 2017 |
| Candidates: | At-large: Incumbent, Pete Lehmann • Incumbent, Amy Mason • Ross Spitz |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
