Election Preview: Greenfield School Board

Barring an unexpected write-in candidate emerging in the next week, Robert Hansen, a regular attendee at Greenfield School Board and Common Council meetings, will join the Greenfield School Board in April.

Hansen is one of only two candidates vying for two seats in the April 2 spring election. The other is incumbent Rick Moze. Don Carlson is not running for re-election.

Here’s your chance to get to know your candidates better before hitting the polls April 2:

Robert Hansen

Age: 36

Family: Engaged, single father of a daughter attending elementary school in the district.

Occupation: Quality Control Technician at Lou's Auto Body - Carstar

Education: Graduated high school from Escanaba Sr. High, Majored in English at Bay De Noc Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Northern Michigan University

How long have you lived in the district? 5 1/2 years

Related experience: Steering committee member at Peace Action Wisconsin and Co-Chair at Progressive Democrats of America in Milwaukee County PAC

Why are you running for School Board? Improving our public education is fundamental to the future of our children and our community. Too many of our citizens consider education an expense; we need to remind them that it is an investment, in our children and the sustainability of our business community in the city. We have a good foundation and improving that will lead to more prosperity for our citizens.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the Greenfield School District? The hiring of the new superintendent is the biggest issue. Anyone that has attended school board meetings or read the Patch in the past year knows that a dysfunctional culture had taken hold of the administration and created conflict with many of the educators in the district. We need to hire someone that will bring confidence back to our district. He needs to lead in an honest and transparent fashion that is fair to our teachers and provides stability for our staff and an environment that allows our students to achieve success.

Rick Moze (Inc.)

Age: 59

Family: widowed; three adult children

Occupation: retired

Education: Graduate of West Allis Nathan Hale High School, 1971; Attended MATC and UW-Milwaukee

How long have you lived in the district? 31 years

Related experience: Member of the Greenfield School Board 2009-present; member of the Business Administration Committee 2007-2009; Chairman of Greenfield Forward Education 2007.  

Why are you running for School Board? I would like all present and future students to receive that same quality education that my children received in Greenfield schools. By working with all stakeholders and neighboring districts, we can continue to improve our public schools in Greenfield.

What do you feel is the biggest issue facing the Greenfield School District? With recent advancements in technology and research in the learning process, the way we educate students has evolved dramatically. As citizens, it is our responsibility to remain ahead of the curve on providing a progressive education to the students of Greenfield. It truly takes a village to educate children and we must live up to our city’s motto, “Pledged to Progress”.