Thanks, Brian, for a short history of some of the candidates. I'm looking forward to learning more about them as we get closer to elections.

After spending nearly 10 years actively involved in the Racine Unified School District, I have decided to jump in and run for a spot on the School Board! Many of my friends know how much I care about what is happening within our schools and they also know how much I care about children. I guess it's time to let the general public know a little more about me!

My husband and I have lived in Mount Pleasant for 19 years and we have a 15 year old and a soon to be 18 year old. They have done private, public and virtual schooling, and I have been a non stop volunteer at their schools. I have been a PTA President and a PTA Vice President at Schulte Elementary and Mitchell Middle School. I continue volunteering at Mitchell Middle even though our kids are in High School. I spent more then 6 years working with handicapped children and I am presently taking care of a handicapped young man. I also worked in Juvenile Detention and spent 10 years working in the Racine County Jail. I'm a problem solver, and I hate wasteful spending! I also care deeply about the children in our district. It really is time to shake things up at Racine Unified. Mark your calendars for the Primary on February 19th, and please remember to VOTE!

Let me offer you some background information on some of these candidates.

It appears that the Racine Education Association is no longer endorsing candidates, but is actively recruiting them. They appear to be Randy Bryce, who recently failed in the Democratic primary for the Assembly. He has a long history of union activism. The Treasurer for is failed bid was none other than Laura Betker. http://randybryce.com/ Laura has personal ties to the new president of the REA, Jennifer Levie, whose husband, Allen Levie, is very active in political activism with our children. Both were very active in circulating petitions in the recalls and it is my guess that these two will only represent union interests on the board , should they get elected. I sense that the REA will also endorse incumbant Julie McKenna, as she has always sided with the unions her entire , lengthy career.

I have removed the marital status but all othr information verified. My apologies.

Randy Bryce is your typical dimwit union idiot, complete with 1980's mustache.

Randy was down at the Walmart in Kenosha as part of the failed attempt to protest on Black Friday (and quoted in the paper or on the Patch).

Cecelia Anguiano is an activist for Voces de la Frontera. Probably running because RUSD Board is not addressing the Student Bill of Rights, a.k.a. union propoganda.

Laura Beker is a teacher in Kenosha Unified and is a RA rep for the KEA (Kenosha's teachers union) http://keanow.com/index.php/news-and-events/announcements. She also recently ran for the KEA Treasurer position [PDF]
vote next friday! - Kenosha Education Association keanow.com/files/glue/2011-2012/glue-candidates_5-11.pdf. And if you look at this link, she is pictured in her Blue Fist shirt circulating petitions http://chippewa.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/judge-tells-gab-to-try-to-remove-fake-names-from/article_c3b86877-273e-5b2c-926a-b4e30a11608a.html.

Mike Frontier is a former RUSD teacher and principal who the San Juan Diego Middle School.

more to come...

Brian, aren't you going to throw your name in the ring, so the good people of Racine can reject you again?

RP - I'm .500 in school board races. And you're what? This time I'll just out the union thugs.

One reason union folks are getting involved in this election is to protect themselves from brainwashed haters such as yourself, Mr. Dey.

It is good to see the union is not trying to be sneaky about it.

If only our governor operated the same way.

I don't normally post in the comments section of news articles, but, it had been brought to my attention that mudslinging was taking place. Usually that type of activity is filled with a lot of misinformation, or, a lot of the story ignored.
I do belong to a Union. I have proudly been a member of Iron Workers Local 8 for 17 years. Local 8 was formed over 110 years ago. The type of work that I do has always been among the top five professions with regard to deaths taking place while working. Initially, we were formed so that money could be pooled, and, if one of us died on the job, a decent burial could be paid for.
We are self-insured. We do not have any seniority, or, paid holidays/vacation. Our dues pay for our training. We take people off of the street, and, teach them everything that they need to know about our Trade. Employers have voluntarily signed contracts to use our members for over 100 years because they know that we will make them profitable.

(cont'd - 1 of 2)

I did lose a Primary election to Melissa Lemke in August. Because of my outspoken criticism of Racine Mayor John Dickert, I have turned some possible support away. I have always stood up for working people regardless of any political party affiliation. As a member of the Southeast Wisconsin Building Trades, we also supported Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig. I am proud to state that my Nomination papers were signed by people who have very clear views on both sides of the political aisle. I'm open to listen to everyone, and, ready to stand up for what the community wants. (also shown by being active with potential Walmart development in Caledonia)

Speaking of Walmart, I did take place in an educational effort leading up to "Black Friday." Our intent was to make people aware of Walmart being an irresponsible employer, not to keep people from shopping. I have an issue with Walmart being responsible for having more employees on Badger Care than anyone else in Wisconsin. Our tax money shouldn't help subsidize one of the most profitable businesses in the US.

I don't know where this idea that teachers are flocking to me for support came from. I received a questionnaire that needs to be filled out just like every other candidate. I definitely would love to gain the REA support, but, nothing is guaranteed. I'd love to get as much support as I can from anyone who feels as strongly as I do that we need to correct the path that public education is travelling upon.

(2 of 3)

I stand up for what I believe in, and, I'm open to listen to everyone. Too many people elected to speak on our behalf have stopped listening. I use the two ears/one mouth approach. While I don't appreciate these "slams" similar to what Brian has written (we have never met in person) I understand, and, value our First Amendment. I would just ask others to take into account that some opinions are very biased. It is unfortunate that Wisconsin is so divided along political lines today.

I have proven that I am able to work together with all concerned parties in order to make our community better whether they be Republican, or Democrat. RUSD School Board is a nonpartisan race. I am running in order to stand up for the one group that will be our future - our children.
(If anyone would like to contact me, please feel free to do so as opposed to getting "facts" from comments written by others. I can be reached at bryceforschoolboard@gmail.com)
(3 of 3)

Randy Bryce- I believe Mr. Bryce, I said you lost the Assembly bid an a union activist. That is not mudslinging by your own admission. I also stated that it "appeared" the REA has taken a more proactive role with candidates. That application would suggest that it is my opinion. I base my opinion on tactics used by the REA and there acute interest in securing representation on the board to achieve their goals. And it is 'my guess" is also an opinion based on yours and Ms. Betker's past actions.

So I will state this again as my opinion, that you and Ms. Betker be favorable candidates for union causes. Why were you and other candidates pointed out by me? Because special interests, whether union or Voces de la Frontera have no business in the board room. Hopefully, you and the others, will be objective should you get elected. But it is my belief that voters need to know up front who they are voting for and what they stand for. Speaking as a former candidate who won once and lost once to this seat, I believe I was outspoken about my beliefs and it did cost me last year's election.

So please don't take offense that I am slinging mud. Yes, I do have an agenda, and that is to get special interests out of local politics. Especially a board for which I proudly served on in the past.

I must admit, reading the comments on Patch has caused me to have sharply formed opinions of some of the commentators. One of the ones that I find the most bothersome is Brian Dey who has used name calling and derogative remarks repeatedly. Another one that I distinctly remember reading was a comment by Kristie Formolo in which she, too, used name calling "libtards" or something similar. I don't care which side of the "aisle" you are on, but if you think comments such as those make you a good choice for being on the School Board, you are mistaken. Do I want people such as that to preside over making decisions for children? No. I teach my children that name calling and being judgmental is wrong. When it comes to our schools and our children, I, too, take it personally. I will do my research on candidates and not take the opinions just of bloggers with clearly ideological agendas such as Mr. Dey as fact. So, candidates, please state your views on how you can help RUSD.

What about this Roger Pfost? He has been around for a while. I dismissed any notion of seriously considering voting for him after reading a couple of his letters in the JT. The letters were shabbily written, and his ideas generic.
McKenna - I don't get what she is doing on the board. She is endorsed by REA? If that is true they need to set the bar higher. smh

@Brian Dey, who in your opinion deserves my vote.

How many of these candidates signed the recall petitions?

On i-verifytherecall.com Cecilia Anguiano, Laura Betker, Randall Bryce, Michael Frontier, and Robert Wittke all signed the recall Walker petition. I didn't find the other names on the i-verify list, I also didn't look to see if perhaps they signed the recall Wanggaard petition. That should at least tell you what those five think financially and politically. I'd prefer if school board members would do the right thing for the taxpayers, regardless of political/union affiliation, but more often then not that isn't the truth.

Concerned Citizen I want to SECOND that statement by WisconsinCitizen. Neither Bob nor his wife Alison Wittke signed the recall. The Bob Wittke who did sign was Bob's FATHER.. The 3 best candidate to support from a Conservative point of view today are Kristie Formolo, Bob Wittke, and Roger Pfost..honarable mention goes to Chris Eperjesy.

Concerned Citizen - Bob Wittke will make an outstanding addition to the school board. I know him very well and have been attending the same meetings with Bob and his wife for years. They have children in this district and they are both active volunteers. Not only do I support Bob Wittke, but I encouraged him to run. If you really want to change RUSD, I hope that you will vote for Wittke, Formolo and Pfost.

And one more thing - The Robert Wittke who is running for school board, did "NOT" sign the recall petition.