Juedes hopes to bring youth, enthusiasm to School Board

As a recent graduate of Sheboygan Falls High School, Dieter Juedes has his sights set on bringing a fresh, new perspective to the Sheboygan Falls School Board.

The 2004 SFHS graduate is one of five candidates seeking to fill three open seats on the Sheboygan Falls School Board in the upcoming spring election Tuesday, April 6.

Juedes is looking to draw upon his recent experiences as a student in the district, an education graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a student teacher at Marshall Middle School.

“I’ve always had an interest in education,” Juedes said. “As a recent graduate of Sheboygan Falls High School, I am very familiar with the district and many of the current issues.

“I earned my Bachelor of Education degree last year, and I also gained some valuable first-hand experience in the classroom, as a student-teacher in Marshall last spring,” he said. “I believe I can bring a young person’s perspective to the board that I think is much needed right now.”

Although he is a first-time school board candidate, Juedes is well aware of the huge challenges that lie ahead, if he is successful in his election bid.

“Right now, there is a major emphasis on how all school districts are spending money,” Juedes said. “If I am elected, I plan to be critical of all spending decisions within the district.

“My main goal would be to provide quality education that reaches each and every student,” he said. “I think it is important for members of the school board to put themselves in the shoes of teachers, staff, administrators, students and parents when making decisions. It is easy to get lost in the bureaucracy. I believe it is important to think outside the box and consider all perspectives when making key decisions.”

Juedes is particularly concerned about several major staffing decisions that are perched on the horizon.

“In the next few years, numerous teachers in the district will be retiring,” he said. “Our superintendent is also planning to retire next spring.

“School board members will play a major role in setting the tone for the direction of the district, over the next few years. To me it is very important to hire positive people, with strong backgrounds that will make an impact on the future of our school district.”

On the topic of spending, Juedes would like to see the district focus on what’s best for students.

“The elementary school is on everyone’s mind right now, because enrollment has been increasing,” he said. “I think we need to invest in making the elementary school even stronger than it is now.

“Class sizes need to stay low. Once class sizes get out of control, it is hard to get them back in line. I don’t want to see that happen. I realize doing that comes at an expense, but I think expenses that directly impact student learning should not be cut out of the budget.”

In the upper grade levels, Juedes would like to encourage further diversity in course offerings.

“We need to offer a wide range of electives to students at the middle school and high school,” he said. “Specialization is a big key in today’s economy.

“We owe it to our schools to give them the opportunities they need to be successful in today’s workforce.”

Juedes, who is currently enrolled in law school at Marquette University in Milwaukee, plans to be a highly visible and accessible member of the school board.

He joins incumbents John Mauer and Tom Bigler, as well as newcomer Chris Lacey and former District Facilities Manager John Raml on the crowded school board ballot. Each of the three seats includes a threeyear term on the board.

“I will be going to law school at Marquette, so I will be living there part of the time,” he said. “However, I am permanent resident of Sheboygan Falls. I have lived here my whole life.

“As a school-board member, I definitely plan be very open and visible to the public. I believe we have a very good school district, but I think with a few improvements, it can be even better.”