I am running for re-election for a city seat on the school board. Three candidates are running for two open seats. Please vote for the kids - re-elect Steven Dubberstein on April 6. Our School Finances I currently serve as treasurer and also on the finance committee of the school board. The school district is fortunate to have excellent financial management, but times are tight. In this regard, the school budget was held to a less than 1% increase this past year with over $400,000 in reduced expenses, without reducing programs offered to students. My role in the referendum was to carefully examine and limit the referendum such that there is no tax increase for the first two years, thanks in part to the retirement of the debt on the high school - yet we will be able to continue current programs and continue the improvement in our academics. Our School Technology I chair the technology committee of the school district. We have implemented a new web page for the district, with many improved features for the community, students, teachers and parents. Our kids are part of a new generation where technology is a necessity and part of their everyday life. My career experience as an electrical engineer managing a high technology business suits me well in serving on the technology committee. Our Retired Taxpayers Our schools are funded primarily from state aid and property tax. Good schools require proper funding, but it is not an open checkbook. It is possible to have good schools and control taxes at the same time. When considering property tax, the first group I consider is our retired folks on a fixed income, who have been exceptional supporters of the Portage Schools. I support a balance between the fiscal needs of the schools and taxes. The structure of the referendum, with no tax increase for the first two years, is designed with our fixed-income taxpayers in mind. Our Rural Schools Our four rural elementary schools are a very important part of the school district. I support our rural schools. Our Parochial Schools The school district has an excellent relationship with our parochial schools. Those attending our parochial schools are also taxpayers. Most parochial students enter the Portage School District in Junior High or High School. I support the continued close relationship with the parochial schools in Portage. Our Teachers and Staff Everything our kids learn comes from our teachers. Our teachers and staff are the most important part of our schools. The Portage School District has a history of a good relationship with our teachers and support staff, which I would continue. Good teachers are the #1 key to learning. Our Co-Curricular Activities Activities outside the classroom are a large part of the learning experience, both athletic and non-athletic. So long as enough students are willing to form a viable team or activity, it should be seriously considered as a formal co-curricular activity. Preparing our Kids for Life Ultimately, the top priority of the school district is to prepare our children for life. This is all our children: those who are going to work right out of high school, those going on to a technical or vocational school, those heading to college, and those entering military service. The Right Way or the Easy Way I am a person of integrity. Many times, the right decision is not the easy choice. I make decisions the right way, not the easy way. There have been a number of votes and positions I have taken during my term that do not represent the majority, nor the easy decision. | 
