Burkhart, Hauser bid for Babel's seat

District 88 to

interview school board candidates at next meeting

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Two candidates, Dr. Marc Burkhart and Duane Hauser, have applied to replace Tim Babel, who last month resigned from the District 88 Board of Education, Superintendent Harold Remme said Thursday.

The board expects to meet with, and interview, the candidates following its next meeting, Oct. 9, according to Remme. The board will then appoint a candidate to fill Babel's term until the November 2004 election.

Dr. Burkhart has been an obstetrician/gynecologist at the New Ulm Medical Center since 1986, according to information he submitted when applying to fill the school board vacancy. His more recent previous professional assignments include working as an obstetrician/gynecologist at the Public Health Care Service, Florida Community Health Center, West Palm Beach, Fla., (1983-1986), and a residency in the field at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine (1979-1983).

Raised and educated in Iowa, Dr. Burkhart received his medical degree at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa (1975-1979).

He has been a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1987.

He is a member of the New Ulm Rotary Club (since 1987) and the New Ulm Garden Club (since 1988); has served in various capacities, including president, on the Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church, New Ulm; on the Board of Directors of the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce and the Sioux Valley Hospital; as Chief of Medical Staff at the NUMC; and on various other NUMC and Allina Health System committees.

Dr. Burkhart lists "gardening, computer technology and trains" among his hobbies and interests.

Asked why he wishes to join the board, Dr. Burkhart says, "I was on the steering committee for the last referendum and enjoyed working with that group of people. Just as I have been active in administration activities in work and church, I feel I should also help and be involved with some government entity."

"The school is a business whose product is education and nurturing of our community. Overseeing this business and setting its goals in a cost efficient manner are important, while still producing a good product," Dr. Burkhart says, asked to comment on his goals as a potential school board member.

Asked about whether he believes that some school districts are better than others, Dr. Burkhart says, "Definitely. I think the personnel make the difference, from staff to teachers to administrators. They have to have pride in their work and outcome."

In answer to a question about whether a board member should strive to build "support with teachers", he says, "Yes, but I feel that much of the support should come through the administration, all working together as a team."

Commenting on the basic purpose of the community school, Dr. Burkhart says, "I think the school improves the community, and the community has to improve the school also. All is intertwined. Educating our community members ensures the vitality of the community."

Dr. Burkhart is married, with four children aged 12 through 23.

According to information he shared with the board, Duane Hauser is a production cutter and back-up truck driver. He serves in the Naval Reserves.

He is a high-school graduate, with a year's education at a vo-tech school. He has served on the M.V.A.C. parent committee and policy council committee, and with D.C.A.C.

Asked why he wants to join the board, Hauser says, "To do my share of community service and do something beneficial for my children and future generations."

Hauser lists several goals as a potential board member: "to listen to the community and parents and ask what they think is best for their kids; to continue to participate on D.C.A.C. as a parent and as a board member; to learn the budget flow and spending habits of the district; and to help implement new and/or proper curriculum."

Hauser also says that some school districts are better than others -- and "community involvement and listening to the community" makes the difference.

In terms of supporting teachers as a board member, he says he would be "asking for their input and ideas" and believes in "keeping good communications with each other."

Hauser says the basic purpose of the community school is "to teach our kids the basics of reading, writing and math, as dictated by the community and state, and to help our kids make it in the outside world."

Duane Hauser is married, with four children aged 3 months to 6 years.

By Friday afternoon, the two applicants had not returned Journal calls asking for more comments on their applications and ideas.