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Enrollment, budget key issues on Edgerton School Board

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John Falligant

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Amy Richardson

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Matt Towns

EDGERTON — A candidate elected to the Edgerton School Board on Tuesday said he hopes to help with declining enrollment and a tight budget.

Matt Towns, 32, John C. Falligant, 48, and incumbent Amy T. Richardson, 41, defeated Sara Stinski, 36, and David Weger, 58, in the election.

Towns said Edgerton has great schools, but declining enrollment and budget constraints will be issues.

“I think we have really good schools here in Edgerton,” he said. “I want to make sure we keep it that way.”

Towns, an agriculture banker at M&I Bank, said he ran for the board because he believes his talents can help the school district.

He said he is humbled to be joining others on the board.

“Everybody looks for a place where they can help,” he said. “Everybody wants to be an asset to their community.”

Richardson and Falligant could not be reached for comment, but they have previously spoken to the Gazette.

Richardson, a six-year board member, has said that the district must find ways to cover costs without drawing from its reserve funds.

State funding for schools is tied to student enrollment. In recent years, Edgerton schools have seen enrollment declines. In 2010-2011, school officials predict that trend will continue.

Falligant has said he’s willing to examine “every pocket” of the district’s operating costs.

Incumbents Brian Donnelly and Jeff Smrecek didn’t seeking re-election.