Green Bay school board election has six candidates

The Green Bay school board election is nearing, with voters heading to the polls on April 1. The board faces important topics like a multimillion-dollar deficit and school consolidations. There are five candidates running for three at-large positions. Incumbents James Lyerly and Rick Crosson will compete against challengers Elliot Christenson, Katie Gentry, Jeanette Knill, and Alex Mineau. Candidates have highlighted their top issues. Christenson prioritizes academic achievement and teacher retention. Crosson focuses on the strategic plan and community engagement. Gentry seeks to improve literacy scores and address declining enrollment. Knill emphasizes the need for better funding for special education and reading initiatives. Lyerly speaks on enhancing student achievement through strong relationships between leadership and staff. Mineau believes leadership is key and aims to improve the overall experience for students and teachers. Equity and inclusion are also focal points. Candidates agree on the importance of listening to diverse voices in the district. Christenson and Lyerly stress treating all students equally and removing barriers for parents. Gentry wants to promote cultural events and inclusion, while Knill highlights the need for a supportive environment celebrating diversity. The ongoing process of closing schools has raised concerns. Some candidates believe communication could improve. Christenson feels evaluation of changes has not been thorough enough. Conversely, Crosson maintains the process has been fair and objective. Gentry highlights the importance of clearer communication to families during transitions. Reading scores in Green Bay are a concern, with candidates proposing various strategies to enhance student performance. Knill supports the new literacy program, while Mineau points out the diverse backgrounds of students as a factor in performance. Overall, the candidates are focused on advocating for better resources and approaches to meet the challenges facing the district.