School spending drives race for Richfield School Board seat

The Journal staff

School financing is a top issue in the race for a single seat on the Richfield Joint No. 1 School Board.

Dennis Burnick and Ruth Jenkins will square off in the general election April 4. The winner will replace veteran board member Jim Steuggen, who decided not to seek re-election.

A third candidate, Richard Kludt, was eliminated in the primary Feb. 21.

School Board members serve three-year terms and are paid $1,080 annually.

Burnick, whose two daughters attend Richfield Elementary School, has lived in the district for 18 years. A self-employed computer consultant, he volunteers at school and serves on the district's human growth and development committee.

He is concerned about restrictions on school spending. If elected, he would press for changes in school revenue formulas.

Jenkins, who has four children, has lived in the district for 3 1/2 years. She is a sales consultant and also volunteers at school.

As a fiscal conservative, Jenkins would keep a close eye on district spending. She wants to see the district concentrate on education issues and let students' social problems be handled by parents at home.

This is how the candidates responded to the following questions:

Do you support creating a Richfield high school district?

Burnick: "I tentatively support the creation of a high school in the district. But we will have to study carefully how the Richfield School District revenues are affected by the creation of this district. My support would be dependent on it being a fiscally sound proposition for the Richfield area."

Jenkins: "I think that it is too early to make an educated decision. There are too many unknowns. Basically, is there a need there first? Then, if there is, how it would be funded. It's very complicated. I'd have to have more information before saying `I strongly support that' or `no, I don't.' "

What issues will be most important to you as a Richfield School Board member? Burnick

Burnick: "I have three top issues. First, to reformulate revenue sources at the various government levels as they pertain to schools. We must strive to maintain or, if at all possible, improve the quality of student test scores in core subjects and the environments or facilities students use. Second is the formation of a high school district and how it would affect the Richfield district. The third issue is to keep the public in public schools. That is, to resist the pressure of outside sources to make public schools meet their own agendas and to resist sectarian choice. I oppose funding of sectarian schools."

Jenkins: "First of all, I would like to see the established policies the School Board is in the process of redoing {to make sure} they are checking up on them, that they are not simply implementing them and not following through. Another issue is to see that there is efficient use of tax dollars. I desire to monitor financial and educational accountability. I would desire to serve as a safeguard in keeping the schools teaching facts and the home teaching values. While I have no present intention to resist already existing programs, I also desire to see that social problems be handled at a different level other than school so as not to sacrifice education in the process."

What impact, if any, do you think long-term revenue caps will have on the district?

Burnick: "I believe Richfield will do OK under the current revenue caps but I also believe we have the responsibility to ensure that the entire state school system enjoys parity. I would hope that the governor would not penalize districts that perform under their budgets, recognizing that capital projects can be accomplished through saving funds from year to year."

Jenkins: "I think it would probably make the district keep a closer eye on expenditures and I think it boils down to {the fact that} we have to choose between our options and our wishes. It comes down to what can we truly afford and what can we work within."

Dennis Burnick, 47

Address, Time in District: 1116 Highway 175, Germantown; school district resident for 18 years.

Date of Birth: June 21, 1947

Recent Work History: Self-employed computer consultant since October 1994; programmer/analyst with Broan Manufacturing in Hartford, 1987-'94; programmer/analyst with Doerr Electric in Cedarburg from 1979-'87.

Elective offices, other Government experience: None.

Unsuccessful bids: Town of Richfield supervisor, 1982 and 1983.

Education: Messmer High School graduate, 1965; attended University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1965-'67.

Activities: Coach with Richfield Girls Softball League, 1977-'87; league coordinator, 1981- '86; American Legion Post No. 522 in Hubertus; recess monitor, Market Day fund-raiser volunteer at Richfield School; member of Richfield School District Human Growth and Development Committee.

Family: Married; 2 children.

Ruth Jenkins, 38

Address, Time in District: 1129 E. Murray Lane, Hubertus; school district resident for 3 1/2 years.

Date of Birth: April 4, 1956

Recent Work History: Since 1994, sales consultant for Longaberger Co. in Ohio, which markets handwoven baskets and pottery; from 1978- '94 housewife.

Elective offices, other Government experience: None.

Unsuccessful bids: None.

Education: Rancho Cotati High School, Rohnert Park, Calif., graduate, 1974; attended Cedarville College in Ohio, 1974-'76.

Activities: Office and classroom volunteer at Richfield School; assistant Sunday School superintendent and Bible study leader at Wooded Hills Bible Church in Colgate.

Family: Married; 4 children.

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