Glenwood City school board candidate: John Logghe

GLENWOOD CITY  —  The Glenwood City Tribune Press Reporter sent out questionnaires to candidates for the Glenwood City school board in the April election. Here is the questionnaire submitted by John Logghe.

• Why did you decide to run again for a position on the Board of Education? 

I am running again as I am eager to complete the district’s referendum project. I feel my many years of experience as a board member and forty years as a business owner in the community are a benefit to the district.

• In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing education in the state of Wisconsin?

Wisconsin has long been recognized for its excellent education system; however, I am very concerned with the movement to expand the taxpayer funded vouchers for private schools. The voucher program takes money away from public school funding and gives it to private schools. Vouchers were originally designed to help financially disadvantaged students achieve a better education. However, last year over sixty percent of voucher recipients were enrolled in private schools. Private schools do not have the same accountability as public schools and can be selective which students they enroll. This means that public schools receive less funding to educate a greater percentage of higher need students.

• What do you see as the biggest issue facing the Glenwood City school district?

The biggest issue facing the Glenwood City School District is the challenge of managing staff and facilities to provide the best education possible for all students. In order to retain our current students and attract new students and families to the GC school district we must continually strive to be the best school in the area. Every new student enrolled in GC increases resources available for all students. Our motto: Every student Every day!

• The school is currently building a softball field with funding the school received from the city’s TIF district. With a nice city-owned ball field within walking distance, would it not have been better to use that money to support a Safe Route To School project or help fund the current projects under the recently-approved referendum?

The softball field was one of the top priorities recommended to the board by the community task force. The safety of our students is always a top priority. It was felt that keeping students on site greatly enhanced their safety. Also, along with providing a great education, having top notch facilities make GC an attractive district to potential enrollees.

• What else would you like residents of the Glenwood City school district to know about you as a candidate for the Board of Education?

I have been a resident of GC all my life and have great pride in our school, church and community. My wife Jill and I have four grown children who all graduated from Glenwood City. We also have three grandchildren who are currently students at Glenwood City Elementary. Our youngest son, Jordan, and I operate Misty Meadows Wood Products and Logghe Trucking.