Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
A newly created at-large seat on the Shawano School Board has attracted two familiar faces who are squaring off in Tuesday’s election.
Voters throughout the school district will go to the polls and choose between former board member Bruce Milavitz and retired school teacher Mart Grams.
Milavitz is emphasizing his experience as a former board member, while Grams says he would bring a teacher’s perspective to school board issues.
The winner of Tuesday’s election will serve a one-year term, after which the position will be back on the ballot in 2018 for a full three-year term, as approved last fall in a district realignment.
Three other seats representing specific geographic areas will be filled by voters Tuesday in uncontested races for incumbent board members Michael Sleeper and Beth McFarlane and newcomer Alysia Pillsbury.
School board members serve three-year terms and get paid $60 a meeting.
Milavitz, a local business owner, served on the school board for one term before losing a re-election bid in April 2016. He finished in fourth place in an election to fill three board seats.
Milavitz said supporters in the community have since urged him to run again to bring his experience and business background to school issues.
“I would just like to continue improving the direction that the board is going,” he said.
The owner of American Car Care Center said he wants to operate the district in a manner that is fiscally responsible while also taking steps to attract and retain quality employees.
“The school district is really the heart of the community,” he said. “We’re fortunate with how well the district is performing.”
Grams is making his first run for elected office after spending 29 years in the school district as a teacher. He taught social studies, economics and government, including 10 years at Shawano Community High School.
Grams said he wants to serve on the school board to address issues that he says are causing the district to lose teachers. Teachers are working harder and longer hours for stagnant salaries and dwindling benefits, he said, adding that it seems board members do not show teachers any gratitude.
“We keep expecting more and more from teachers, and we respect them less,” he said.
The retired teacher also said he would work to improve the district’s teaching of basic life skills, so that students can learn to work with their hands, to balance a checkbook and other necessities to becoming self-sufficient adults.
“Every kid needs to leave this district to be a functioning citizen,” he said.
THE CANDIDATES
Name: Mart Grams
Address: 305 S. Smalley St., Shawano
Age: 58
Family: Wife and two children
Employment: Retired school teacher, writer and author
Education: Master’s degree in computer science, Viterbo University, La Crosse; bachelor degrees, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Experience (elected office only): None
Name: Bruce Milavitz
Address: 340 River Pine Drive, Shawano
Age: 50
Family: Wife and five children
Employment: Owner/operator, American Car Care Center, Shawano
Education: Business Management from Strategic Alliance Group; Graduated Naval Air and Avionics A and C Schools; Robbinsdale Armstrong High School graduate
Experience (elected office only): Shawano School Board, 2013-2016, executive board member (treasurer) for two years