For the Gazette

STEVENS POINT — The League of Women Voters recently had candidates from the District 9 and school board primary races on Feb. 19 answer three important questions regarding their candidacy. All answers are verbatim below.

Barbara Portzen

Brief Bio

My life is about education and my family—2 sons and 5 grandchildren. I taught for 33 years (at MSTC and Pacelli). My retirement has been filled with volunteering and working for the SPAPSD, most recently serving for 3 years on the Board. I am concerned about the health, personal needs, learning, and happiness of all our students and do whatever I can to help. (NOTE: Another MUST in my life…baseball and the Brewers!)

Why are you seeking public office? 

We’ve become a very functional board during the past few years; I’d like to continue moving our district forward. The overwhelming support from our community during the November referendum showed me that we’re on the right track. We have a system in place now where we’re working together as a team (administrators, board, employees, parents, community). When things are going well, people want to be involved; thus, the need for a primary!

What are the biggest issues facing the school board in the coming years?

Now that some of the pressure of funding has been taken off, we can concentrate on the issues of addressing student mental health, hiring and keeping good people, and following through on all the referendum projects. We have a knowledgeable, caring staff that will work together to address these issues. While most of the work needs to be done by administration and staff, the Board can help by serving on special committees addressing these issues. I try to stay active on committees so I know what’s happening and what needs to be done. Then, in some small way, I can work to help the staff and administration accomplish some success. The Board and staff were regenerated by the outpouring of support from the referendum which will make our load lighter.