DODGE CENTER — There don't appear to be any burning issues in Triton School District election, said Superintendent Brett Joyce.
The seven people who filed to fill four seats on the board are simply interested in their local school and in having a say in how it's run, said Joyce.
The candidates agreed.
Incumbents Dale R. Jensen, Lloyd Henslin and Duane Bartel said with Joyce taking over as superintendent in January, they feel their experience will help smooth the transition. Joyce took over when former Superintendent Robert Kelly retired. Joyce had been high school principal for 16 years.
The incumbents also are interested in keeping tabs on school finances with a new building and the generous donation of the artificial turf at the high school field.
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Candidate Aaron Maixner said the strategic planning the board is undertaking right now is very important. Chuck Rhodes and Tracy Petersohn agree it is never too soon to start planning for the effects of Destination Medical Center and making the school district one that people want their children to attend.
Candidate Melissa Kubat wants to learn more about the district and athletic opportunities for girls.
The district is a combination of students from three towns: Claremont, Dodge Center and West Concord. Last year, a charter school opened in West Concord.
Terry Selthun, who served for 20-some years on the board, is not seeking re-election.
Duane Bartel
Age:54
Residence: Rural Dodge Center
Education: Graduated from Dodge Center High School
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Occupation: Buyer for McNeilus Truck. Worked there for 36 years
Family: Wife, Dawn. Their three children all graduated from Triton.
Political experience: Nine years on school board. Also served on Zumbro Education District board that entire time.
Top issue: People have asked me to run again. It's my form of service to the community. I enjoy working with the staff and students. They're a great group of people to work with.
Lloyd Henslin Jr.
Age: 62
Residence: Dodge Center
Education: Graduated from Dodge Center High School, two years of college.
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Occupation: Farmer
Family: Wife, son and daughter. Have grandkids in Triton School District.
Political experience: On school board for 25 years
Top issue: Changes with the administration, and I still have a passion for it. The staff is great and the school board work is fun to be around for the most part. We're watching finances because we just got into the new building. Three of us from the board are holding a series of meetings with others to establish a strategic plan. It'll be interesting to see what comes of that and see if we actually carry through what is planned.
Dale R. Jensen
Age: 51
Residence: Dodge Center
Education: Graduated from Dodge Center High School
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Occupation: Shop foreman for Johnson Hardware
Family: Wife, Tammy. Eight children, three grandchildren. Four children and two grandchildren are enrolled at Triton schools.
Political experience: On the school board since 2002
Top issue: With the changes in the administration, I would like to help them through the process. With the new financial commitment, I want to stay around to keep a close eye on it and make sure we stay financially responsible. I still love being around kids. I want the board to keep them our main focus.
Melissa A. Kubat
Age: 33
Residence: Dodge Center
Education: Graduated from Triton High School and attended Rochester Community and Technology College
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Occupation: Child care provider
Family: Married. Three daughters in Triton school district.
Political experience: Member Dodge County Licensed Child Care Association. Organizing the holiday fun fair "Pamper the Provider." This is its 19th year.
Top issue: I want to be more involved with what's going on in the school district, especially with girls' athletic programs. The district has come a long way since I graduated.
Aaron Maixner
Age: 39
Residence: Dodge Center
Education: Bachelor's degree from Winona State
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Occupation: Operations Manager at Mayo Clinic
Family: Wife, Kristyn, and a son and daughter who attend Triton schools
Political experience: None
Top issue: My number one priority is our academic responsibility to students to prepare them for higher education, the job market and to be productive members of society.
Strategic planning needs to be an important part of the school board. We need to identify the vision and associated goals. The vision should guide us in our decision making process to assure we are meeting the needs of our school district.
Tracy Petersohn
Age: 44
Residence: Claremont, then Dodge Center for about 25 years
Education: Claremont High School, attended Mankato State
Occupation: Realtor with Coldwell Banker
Family: Wife. Daughter and two sons enrolled in Triton schools.
Political experience:None but, run youth basketball program 3rd- to 6th-grade boys and girls. Volunteer for track program, coach girls junior high basketball and 5th grade youth football.
Top issue: I've lived in Triton district for most of my life, I want to be involved in the progress of the district. For last 20 years, been selling real estate in the Triton School District.
I want to learn more about the district. I want to be involved as much as I can so I can sell the district even better. Especially with DMC on the horizon, I'd like to make sure we're in a good position when families start to move in.
Chuck Rhodes
Age:48
Residence: West Concord, lived in Dodge Center since 2001
Education: West Concord High School, Winona Technical College
Occupation: Technical Services Representative, McNeilus Steel Inc.
Family: Wife and daughter, who is a sophomore at Triton
Political experience:None
Top issue: Preparing for Destination Medical Center and all that will bring. We as a region are competing for students. We need to be proactive vs. reactive. I want to see our academic standards grow and develop so students desire to come here. Along with excellence in academics, we need to continue to develop excellence in the athletic programs that are offered.
