Elk Mound school board candidate: Mark Levra
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MARK LEVRA
ELK MOUND — Mark Levra is one of four candidates for two positions on the Elk Mound Board of Education in the April 6 election.
Levra will be facing incumbents Gary Bodenburg and Mark Oas along with challenger Michael Jenson Jr.
Levra, age 45, has been married to his wife, Tammy July Levra, for 20 years (21 in May). She is employed as the Executive Director of the Dunn County Housing Authority.
The Levras have two children who both attend school in the Elk Mound Area School District. Ethan is a senior at Elk Mound High School with a 3.89 GPA and will be attending Beloit College in the fall to continue his academic and athletic career. Lydia is a freshman at Elk Mound High School with a 4.0 GPA and is a three-sport athlete.
Levra serves as the Director of Public Works for the Village of Elk Mound and also is an adjunct instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College.
He is a graduate of Hurley High School in 1994 and joined the United States Army Reserve and served eight years as a 51B, Carpentry/Masonry Specialist. Levra attended UW-Stout and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Construction in December of 1999. He has completed multiple certificate courses in Fire Science through Chippewa Valley Technical College and is currently an IFSAC Certified FFII with the Elk Mound Fire District.
Here are Levra’s answers to a candidate questionnaire sent out by the Colfax Messenger:
Why did you decide to run for a position on the Elk Mound Board of Education?
Change is a good thing. The current Board has been in place for a long-time, making decisions based on their views. I think new thoughts and views are needed in the Elk Mound Area School District Leadership, and I believe that I will facilitate change by contributing a new perspective.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created unique challenges for school districts over the past year. What challenges related to COVID-19 do you anticipate will be facing the school district in the years to come?
How do we get back to “normalcy” in the future, or a new “normal” if that is the case? Are we to offer virtual learning as a forever option in the future? People have very different views on the COVID-19 Pandemic, which is understandable, but how will the District be able to provide reasonable accommodations for all?
What do you believe to be the biggest issues (in addition to COVID) facing the Elk Mound school district?
Elk Mound Area School District needs to get back to that “small town feel” while still providing the quality education that they currently do. The voices of the students and the community need to not only be heard, but also comprehended. The Community and District will most likely continue to grow in the future, so being able to continue providing top-notch education while keeping that small town feel will be an issue to work on in the future. Listening to the voices of the Community and Students are the key to successfully achieving these goals.
Why are you the best candidate for the Board of Education?
I am the change that is needed in the Elk Mound Area School District leadership. I believe all community members and students need to be heard and acknowledged. District constituents need a voice they can depend on and I will advocate for those wanting a voice on District concerns. I will push for common sense decisions for your children’s future. My goals as a board member are to ensure we continue to improve and provide quality education; advocate for the community and students because they should be heard and acknowledged; make efficient use of our resources; and update policies that are allowing for legitimate issues to be ignored.
• Anything else you would like voters to know?
Even if I must stand alone, I will always act in the best interests of the community and students.
