Five seek spots on Algoma School Board

Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:

Growing up in Algoma where everyone knows your name or went to school with a relative of yours can be a challenge. Yet, the culture of a small town has given me the courage to see challenges as opportunities and has helped to shape who I am today.

Throughout my elementary and high school years, I was inspired by my teachers which led me to pursue a degree in education. After graduating from Algoma High School, I earned my bachelors degree in psychology, human development and education from the UW-Green Bay and my masters degree in special education from Cardinal Stritch University. I hold a K-12 license in education and recently retired after 32 years of teaching.

During my career, I was the transition coordinator, responsible for providing information and training to special education teachers, connecting students and families with community resources and services, maintaining collaborative relationships with outside agencies and service providers, building long-term relationships with employers and community organizations, and coordinating both on- and off-campus employment opportunities for students. I was a Project Metro Coach and assisted interns to learn and apply best practices in the classroom. I was the director for the Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) — a school within a school — where we used project-based learning to support students on their career path. I also was an administration/disciplinary underfill as well as an ad hoc lecturer at UW-Milwaukee. Currently, I am a trustee for an insurance company and understand health insurance plans and programs.

Within my community, I serve on the board as the treasurer for the Violence Intervention Project for Kewaunee County, I am a board member of Lakeshore CAP (Community Action program). I serve on Redevelopment Authority committee for Algoma and am a member of the Kewaunee County Lakes Association. I volunteer at Soar on the Shore, Friends of Crescent Beach and monitor water clarity on Krohns Lake for the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network.

I possess the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to navigate the educational system. I am not afraid to tackle tough conversations and listen to perspectives different from mine in order to come to consensus which will benefit everyone. I have an interest in the success of our schools as well as the energy, drive and passion for education. I understand my fiduciary responsibility to be a good steward of public money. This is a great opportunity to “pay it forward” within my community.

What developments would you like to see the district make over the upcoming term:

Making sure all students have access to a quality public school education with qualified staff as well as support personnel is essential for our schools. I would like to see the district improve outcomes for students by focusing on the trades while embracing the high academic standards necessary for college. The skills gap remains one of the top drivers for employers as schools struggle to keep pace with changing needs of the labor market. Businesses are struggling to fill open positions with skilled talent. We need to continue to develop engaging curriculum and course offerings in order to draw students and families into our community and schools.

I believe every student deserves qualified educators who will inspire and lead, helping them to achieve their potential as productive members of our society all while public education continues to be underfunded.

What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:

Open, honest and direct communication is the key to involving others in the decision-making process. I would like to establish regular and respectful channels of communication, such as quarterly listening sessions. Holding listening sessions at different places and times that are conducive to parents, community members and business owners is crucial. If elected I will develop a webpage where members of the community can contact me with ideas, issues and concerns.

The school district currently has ways to keep people informed on issues related to schools, from PTA meetings, to ad hoc committees, sporting events, board meetings, and board summaries in the local newspaper. There is also the opportunity to view board meetings on the Algoma Community Access Channel @algomacommunityaccesstelev145 or on Charter cable channel 981.

Educational solutions are better, more effective, and more sustainable when they are based on the input of the people they impact.

Shannon Larson

Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:

I have four children ages 11-26, I have taken courses towards a teaching degree in college, I work for Nicolet National Bank in Algoma and feel that children are our future and I would love to serve on the school board to help foster a great environment and education for all of our students.

What developments would you like to see the district make over the upcoming term:

I think we have a good school board already and just want to assist in any decisions to help our students excel.

What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:

I believe in transparency and I feel our school board has come a long way in communicating with not only the parents but our community as a whole. I will gladly have an ear for anyone that wants to talk about their thoughts about anything that they feel is a concern as well.

Chrissy O’Connell (Incumbent)

Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:

I am a graduate of Algoma High School and earned a bachelors degree in business administration and a masters in business administration from UW-Oshkosh. I have held various leadership positions in operations management and human resources throughout my career, mainly in manufacturing environments.

My family relocated back to Algoma in the fall of 2021. I joined the Algoma School District Board of Education in August of 2023, and I am also a member of the CESA 7 Board of Control.

My husband, Patrick, and I have two children enrolled at Algoma Elementary School — Maggie is in first grade and Bailey is in 4K. I am also actively involved in the AES PTS group and volunteer frequently at school. In addition to these experiences, my drive for continuous improvement, relationship building and communication help to qualify me for the position.

What developments would you like to see the district make over the upcoming term:

The referendum results in this election will dramatically impact the board of education and administration over the next term. With either result, the district will need to be fiscally responsible and make important decisions regarding the education the district provides our students. It is important for us to continue to offer our students as many opportunities as students in other, larger districts may receive.

What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:

The administration team and board are passionate about communicating with the district’s residents. I would encourage our constituents to attend our meetings, or watch them on our YouTube channel to stay up to date on the district’s happenings. Additional communication is provided in the Wolf Review and at algomawolves.org. If you see me around Algoma or at AES let’s chat. I can also be reached at coconnell@algomaschools.org.

Unincorporated seat (1)

Jeremy Paszczak

Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:

Originally from Chicago, Ill., I moved to Algoma in 1996. I am the oldest of six children, raised by a single mother. I personally did not attend Algoma schools, but all of my siblings and my three children did. My personal path through education was tough as I attended nine different schools in two different states before earning a degree in multi-media technology from Rasmussen College.

I am currently the director of development for Sunshine Resources of Door County, a 501c3 non-profit organization helping individuals with disabilities live independent lives. I currently serve on the board of directors for Door-Tran in Sturgeon Bay, board of directors for Do Good Door County, member of Sturgeon Bay Rotary Club, member of Pioneer Fire Company and a member of the Leadership Door County class of 2024.

My past community support contributions include creating and coaching the Algoma Middle School soccer program, president of Kewaunee Chamber of Commerce, president of Kewaunee County Youth Soccer Association, member of the Lincoln Town Planning Commission, Cub Scout leader, middle school boys and girls basketball coach, youth football coach, youth baseball coach and assisting with school projects like float building and musicals with my children.

What developments would you like to see the district make over the upcoming term:

My running for this seat is not due to my lack of respect or confidence in what the school board has and will be doing moving forward. I saw a need and feel that my experience and timing are perfect to give back to the community that I live in. I am currently involved in many opportunities in the county I work and would like to give back to the community that I call home.

As stated previously, my siblings and children attended Algoma School District. My wife of 24 years, Lori Paszczak did as well. The education they received has provided a solid foundation for their futures and I couldn’t be more proud. I am looking to be a small part of the opportunities that will be afforded to more students to receive the education and futures they deserve. An education that I know Algoma has and will continue to offer. With that said, I am also looking forward to learning more about what the students and families would like to see moving forward as it is imperative they have a voice in the process.

What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:

In order to encourage constituents to participate in the decision making, you have to let them know they have a voice and that you will listen. Encouraging families and students to attend meetings if possible but also lead with an open door philosophy that I am available to hear your concerns, comments and needs.

As I am running for the unincorporated seat, what families and students need in the rural areas of our district may differ from other parts of the district. And there may be limitations to those families to attend meetings. Finding opportunities that work for all such as email access, phone access, in person meetings, group meetings in rural areas are all ways to help constituents access their representatives easier. As an elected official, we are working for the people and though I would do everything to ensure that my decisions are made for the greater good of all, the peoples’ voices will be heard and their opinions considered when making those decisions.

Jacqueline Toepfer

Please provide your background, education and experiences that qualify you for the position:

I am an Algoma High School graduate. You may know me by my former name — Jackie Dier. Following high school, I attended Marquette University, graduating with a BS in computer science. I then obtained an MBA from UW-Oshkosh.

I currently work as senior director at a software company, and I have 20 plus years of leadership and management experience. My husband and I moved to our new home near Stony Creek in the town of Ahnapee in 2021. Prior to that I lived and worked in Green Bay and Chicago.

While living and raising our son in Chicago, I served as parent rep and secretary of the South Loop Elementary School Council, a Chicago public school with a large and diverse student population. I was chair of the school’s marketing committee and served on the bylaws subcommittee. Under my leadership, we created a new brand, built a new school website and created a spirit wear program. It was rewarding to see school enrollment grow as it became a school of choice.

Currently I have a student at AHS, as my husband and I are host parents to an exchange student from Germany.

I seek to serve our community which gave me so many opportunities when I was young. Given my experience managing a diverse population from across the globe, I hope to bring fresh perspectives which will help the district prepare students for high school and beyond. My experience with software, data and data security would be an asset to the district.

What developments would you like to see the district make over the upcoming term:

I would like our district to be a school of choice, attracting families to our community and encouraging open enrollment. We achieve this by providing convenient access to an excellent learning environment. Attracting and keeping good teachers is essential, and I support teacher-led initiatives to implement innovative teaching methods. Actively seeking more grants can help us fund excellent programming, while making such programs affordable for both parents and taxpayers.

I support programs which promote the health, safety and well-being of students, such as Wolf Den, and would like to see added programs that teach tolerance, conflict resolution and peacemaking for middle and high school students.

I believe in targeted curriculums that meet each student’s unique needs, allowing them to dream big and succeed. Efforts such as the AbiliTee Project, Pathfinder and Algoma Venture Academy are excellent examples and I support them.

Our district is fortunate to have amazing music, theater, art and sports programs, which are good for our students and enrich our community. I support continued investment in these programs. I would promote efforts to engage more deeply with the community to highlight our talented students.

Reading is fundamental to life-long learning, and I would love to see reading integrated into the entire curriculum, with a variety of sources that are affordable, engaging and age proper. With young people having access to the internet in the palm of their hand, it is important to teach them about healthy sources of information through curricular activity.

What means would you use to further involve your constituents in the decision-making process:

I would encourage parents to attend board meetings and would support meeting times that can accommodate working parents, where there is ample time for public comment.

Recognizing that meeting attendance is often difficult for working parents, meeting minutes should provide information on discussion points and decisions reached. Reports presented at these meetings should be available as well. Where possible, technology should make meeting minutes or recorded meetings easily accessible.

The District Wolf Review monthly newsletter is a nice communication tool and an opportunity for the board to provide meeting summaries and other insights.

In keeping with the current practices, I would make myself available by email and I will commit to reading and responding to emails within 72 hours.

Finally, I enjoy talking with the parents. I have had an opportunity to meet and talk to dozens of parents at school sporting events and after school activities, and I welcome more of that.