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Newcomers fill Edgerton School Board ballot

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Larry Oberdeck

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Victor Gonzalez

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Julie Norland

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Craig Strouse

EDGERTON — Several fresh faces are among the candidates for three open spots on the Edgerton School Board.

Of the three incumbents, only Larry Oberdeck decided to run again. Longtime members Julie Lyerla and Jim Raymond filed non-candidacy papers.

Here's a look at the four candidates for school board:

-- Larry Oberdeck, 53, 6711 W. Highway 59, Edgerton.

Oberdeck, a farmer, has served 14 years on the school board. He said his common sense and status as a district parent keep him relevant to other parents.

"I want to do the best for the children while trying to get the best bang out of our buck for what we're spending," he said.

The district is facing two huge issues, he said: dropping enrollment at the high school and the retirement of Superintendent Norm Fjelstad.

The district has approved staff cuts at the high school and changed the high school's schedule to deal with decreasing funding and enrollment.

"The cuts that we're going to have to make, they affect everything that we're trying to do at the school, from maintenance to class sizes to everything that we're going to budget for," he said.

Fjelstad is retiring at the end of 2009-10 after 22 years as superintendent.

"Hopefully I can put my two cents in helping pick a superintendent," Oberdeck said.

-- Victor Gonzalez, 39, of 211 Albion St., Edgerton.

Gonzalez decided to run because, as a parent, he's interested in how the district operates. He saw his opportunity when two incumbents decided not to run.

"I think (the spots) need to be filled with somebody who cares about the community and has the ability to look creatively at things," he said.

Gonzalez, a real estate agent, is highly involved in the community and wants to help solve the economic problems the district is facing, he said.

He also would like to see the district become more environmentally friendly, he said.

"I think I can bring common sense and a creative approach to solving or at least addressing problems in our community," he said.

-- Julie Norland, 38, of 699 Jacobus Road, Edgerton.

Norland also decided to run after learning that two incumbents weren't seeking re-election, she said. She has two sons in the district.

"I feel like the Edgerton School District has a really good history," she said. "I've always been really impressed with the community of Edgerton and how it supports education."

Norland believes her background in human resources can help with the superintendent search.

"I think it could provide some insight," she said.

She also has some educational experience, having taught communications and human resources classes at area colleges, she said.

-- Craig Strouse, 36, of 9030 County H, Edgerton.

Strouse decided to run because he wants to make sure the board has quality candidates, he said. He sees it as a civic duty.

"I think you just need a logical, thinking person with some common sense," he said.

Strouse, a parent and Rock County Sheriff's Office sergeant, said finding a new superintendent is the biggest issue facing the board, but he also wants to help with the day-to-day decisions.

"You have to look at both sides of an issue and make a decision in the best interests of the district," he said.