Meet The Lomira School Board Candidates

Zone 3
Name: Linda J. Pickart

Occupation: Retired Title 1 Teacher for the School District of Lomira and Grandma

Community Involvement: I have served as a member of the Lomira School Board for the last six years. The experience has been extremely rewarding. I am the board representative to CESA 6 (Cooperative Educational Service Agency} in Oshkosh. The Lomira Area Education Enrichment Foundation (LAEEF) provides educational grants for public and private schools in the district. I am an active member and treasurer of LAEEF.

Why are you running for candidacy: I am running again for the Lomira School Board because I am committed to using my skills and talents to join with other board members, parents, teachers, administrators, district staff, and community members to achieve success for our present and future students.

What are your qualifications: I believe that all students in the Lomira School District deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for success in life. To achieve that goal, my varied teaching experiences have helped me to be an effective communicator and good listener. My school experiences and various training sessions give me an understanding of the needs and teamwork needed for successful graduates and an outstanding school district.

What experiences have best prepared you to serve on the school board: Being the Mom of three children who graduated from Lomira gives me the heart to understand the needs and desires we all have for our families. The last 17 years of my career were as the Title 1 Teacher for the Lomira School District. I brought interventions to students in the public and private schools in our district. My understanding of the variety of student needs, working in a cooperative environment for a specific goal, and communicating with all involved in a productive manner have prepared me to support our district.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it: Our district, like most Wisconsin districts, will be facing some difficult fiscal decisions in the near future. By law, we are sending a significant part of our budget to support private schools. We will need to continue open communications with our state legislators, Gov. Evers, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Lomira District residents, and staff. The administration and school board will be looking for creative ways to support our students. Influencing the fiscal health of the district makes me responsible for taxpayer money.

Why should people vote for you: I use my voice to represent the community and share successes and concerns. I promise to always do what is best for our children and their futures. I truly appreciate your vote in support of my service on the School Board of Lomira. Thank you!

Name: Margaret (Maggie) Landowski

Occupation: Project Administration Manager, employed with Michels since 2007

Community Involvement: Lomira Clover Leaves 4-H Club leader for nine years, Junior Achievement (JA) teacher for Lomira School District for 5+ years, Red Cross Blood Donor for over 25 years, Michels Scholarship Fund board member for six years, Michels Scholarship Fund committee member for 6+ years, supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac, Stage Manager for Lomira Community Theater in 2024, volunteer for children’s events; field trips; dances; Washington DC chaperone; etc., actively involved parent of two school age students in the Lomira School District (5th and 12th grade)

Why are you running for candidacy: I am a strong advocate for children. I also feel it's important for the taxpayers to stay well informed of what’s going on in their school district.

What are your qualifications: I have lived in the Lomira School District for nearly 20 years, I have established a strong rapport with the students and parents that I’ve worked with and are classmates of my children, I lead with empathy, and feel it’s important for voices to be heard; A strong outgoing voice in the community.

What experiences have best prepared you to serve on the school board: Being employed at a well-known and respected family-owned company, Michels, for over 17 years, serving six years as a board member on the Michels Scholarship Fund, and another five years on the committee, working with Lomira School District student and parents volunteering with the Lomira Community Theater, a dedicated Lomira Clover Leaves 4-H Club leader for nine years assisting with meetings, club events, and volunteering my time for the children of the club and Dodge County.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it: Times are changing and schools are facing budget cuts. We need to look at the big picture and why we are here: the children. They need to come first.

Why should people vote for you: It’s time for a change. I plan to advocate for our children and the taxpayers of our community.

Zone 4
Name: Rick Welak

Occupation: Retired (Business owner in Agriculture Sales for 45 years)

Community Involvement: Member of Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Church, volunteer at Red Cross Blood Drive, Lomira Food Pantry, and Friends of the Library

Why are you running for candidacy: Lomira School District has been chosen as a Top Workplace for eight years, which helps to attract and retain staff. Lomira has continuously tested toward the top of the conference for standardized scores. With my experience as a school board member, I want to continue this excellent growth and progress.

What are your qualifications: Having been a school board member and current president for several years, I have helped to lead the School District through several key advancements, including two referendums that upgraded science classrooms, and technical education, provided accessibility for handicapped people, and enhanced school safety. I also helped with the referendum that improved physical education and sporting activities for all students. I also helped to design classrooms to maximize teacher utilization. These referendums were completed without significant increases in property taxes.

What experiences have best prepared you to serve on the school board: I have been a member of the school board for over 20 years. I have developed important relationships with both members of the school district administration and the community of the school district. Having been a small business owner for 45 years, I have experience in working on many councils and advisory boards.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it: The current financial environment is difficult for everyone. I want to continue to work with the administration and community to keep school-related costs down. Our district has always been a fiscally responsible school district, and I want to continue to provide outstanding education to our students while respecting the costs that our taxpayers invest in their education.

Why should people vote for you: It is important for the school board to continue to provide leadership to our administrators, and I believe that I have the experience to mentor my colleagues on the school board and the administration. I look forward to continuing to serve my fellow citizens in providing the best education for our students and community.

Name: Mike Sacotte

Occupation: State Farm Agent, West Bend and surrounding communities

Why are you running for candidacy: I feel that it is important for parents to be as involved in their children’s development as possible. It is easy to sit back and complain but I have always preferred to be involved in the ideas and the solutions of what I am focused on.

What are your qualifications: Self-employed since 1999. I currently run my State Farm office (2012-present). I employ three other people. I understand a budget, and I understand forecasting budget. I am very in tune with what is going on with school boards in communities close to us. There are some very good things going on but also plenty of not-so-good things.

What experiences have best prepared you to serve on the school board: As stated above, owning my own business. My wife and I both own successful businesses, and we bounce things off of each other all the time. Having been a parent of four, I have seen and heard it all. My kids will tell you that I will always side with the teacher. However, I am not so ignorant to think that some teachers can’t do much better. I am open-minded but always look for progress in our education.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the community in the next year, and what do you plan to do to address it: I think that budget should always be a concern. There is a long-time saying, “It is easy to spend someone else’s money.” I think this is a major problem throughout all levels of government. I think it is time to ask, “Why are we sending money to this department?” If we do send the money, we should follow up. 1) Did they do what they said they were going to do? 2) Did they get the result they projected/sold the board on.

Why should people vote for you: The biggest reason is I have a vested interest in what is going on in our school. I have three children with two of them having five years remaining. After I serve two terms, I would expect to get out and let someone else [serve].