Candidates vie to takle change

The Journal staff

Each of four candidates for the Pewaukee School Board is campaigning as the best candidate to lead the district through a period of growth and change.

Two of the four candidates will be selected in the election April 4. The winners will serve three-year terms at a salary of $2,000 a year.

The candidates and their positions are:

Stephen Delaat distinguishes himself from other candidates as someone who doesn't react quickly and will sit and listen to both sides of an issue before making a decision.

"I'm willing to listen to what others say," Delaat said. "I have no specific agenda."

Delaat said he was satisfied with the district's performance and its schools were "doing a pretty good job," making progress in improving curriculum and creating a safe environment for kids.

"I want to keep it that way," he said.

He is running because he has two children in the district and wants to make sure they receive the best education possible, Delaat said.

"I want it to be challenging and rewarding, and want it to prepare {all students} for what they do after school," he said.

Ronald G. Frea said his background in business accounting would bring different perspectives to problem-solving in the district as it experiences growing pains.

A former high school math teacher, Frea is recommending four changes in district operations:

Establishment of a communications committee to get more information to parents. Frea said parents felt they were uninformed.

Performance criteria to measure achievement of district objectives, also known as management by objective.

Use of bench marks to compare financial controls in the district to other districts of comparable size.

Evaluation of the need for new instructional techniques, how they should be applied and whether they are needed.

Frea said he hoped his work would "help our district to be efficient in its operation for the benefit of our children."

Kris Kline is the only incumbent seeking re-election. Kline, who would be the most senior board member if re-elected, said experience gave her the greatest edge over her challengers.

"I believe we need a certain amount of experience," she said. "We have a very young board and it's not an easy job."

She said she had proved herself to be a hard worker and one who stayed current on educational issues. She cited the approval of the Asa Clark school referendum and recent approval for a new elementary school as evidence that the board had met the facility needs of the district. Kline is chairwoman of the board's Business Affairs Committee, which will oversee construction of the new school.

At the same time that facilities have expanded, the district was able to keep the school tax rate stable proof that the board was fiscally responsible, she said.

"I've proven that I've done a good job and can do a good job," she said.

Douglas Sabel describes himself as one of "Newt's boys," a reference to the conservative agenda of US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), and said the district needed a strong conservative on the board.

Sabel said he wanted schools to get back to basics and stop spending time and money on "frivolous pursuits" such as multiculturalism and gender equity. He also said schools were usurping parents' roles in rearing children.

"I despise the way academia is actually dividing the country along racial and cultural lines," he said.

Sabel said he is not a supporter of the state Department of Public Instruction, and approves of Gov. Tommy G. Thompson's proposal to gut the state agency. He said schools needed more board members willing to say no to the DPI and to more local control.

If elected, Sabel would attempt to run the schools on a less emotional level, he said. "Everyone is worried about kids' fragile self-esteem; I'd like to see more teaching of how to deal with adversity," he said. "I'd like to see higher expectations."

Stephen Delaat, 38

Address, Time in District: N27-W22101 Timberwood Lane, Town of Pewaukee; three years

Date of Birth: Jan. 31, 1957

Recent Work History: Director of systems development, Carson Pirie Scott & Co.

Elective offices, other Government experience: None

Unsuccessful bids: None

Education: Coopersville High School, Coopersville, Mich., 1975; bachelor of science in forestry from Michigan State University, E. Lansing, 1979

Military: None

Activities: Assistant coach for Odyssey of Mind; St. Matthias Episcopal Church member; former assistant coach of T-ball teams

Family: Married; 2 children

Ronald G. Frea, 47

Address, Time in District: W220-N2753 Maplewood Lane, Town of Pewaukee; nine years

Date of Birth: Aug. 4, 1947

Recent Work History: Certified public accountant with Deloitte & Touche; former high school math teacher

Elective offices, other Government experience: None

Unsuccessful bids: None

Education: Sturgeon Bay High School, Door County, 1965; Bachelor's degree in math from Carthage College, Kenosha, 1969; Bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1975

Military: None

Activities: Vice president and elder of church; United Way; past member Waukesha Rotary Club member; professional accounting associations; state Secretary of Revenue's Advisory Committee

Family: Married; 2 children

Kris Kline, 47 (inc.)

Address, Time in District: 807 Ridgeway Drive; 19 years

Date of Birth: May 3, 1947

Recent Work History: Office manager of environmental consulting firm in Brookfield

Elective offices, other Government experience: School Board since 1989

Unsuccessful bids: None

Education: Goodrich High School, Fond du Lac, 1965; Associate degree in accounting, Waukesha County Technical College, 1985

Military: None

Activities: St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Pewaukee; Pewaukee High School Booster Club

Family: Divorced; 2 children

Douglas Sabel, 41

Address, Time in District: 1247 Timber Ridge, Pewaukee, 12 years

Date of Birth: Jan. 22, 1954

Recent Work History: Field service engineer, Novadyne Computer Corp., Brookfield

Elective offices, other Government experience: None

Unsuccessful bids: School Board, 1994

Education: Washington High School, Germantown, 1972; honor graduate of US Air Force training school in Biloxi, Miss., 1976

Military: Air National Guard, six years

Activities: Scuba diving, camping, amateur geology, hunting

Family: Married; 4 children

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