Otis cites her experience as asset for District 88 board

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Eleven candidates are seeking four seats on the District 88 School. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Incumbents Brian Wieland, Gene Forstner and Donald Potter are seeking re-election. Other candidates are Renee Otis, Rick Berg, Barbara Becker, Sheldon Rieke, Deborah Hertling, Susan Nierengarten, Duane Hauser and Bruce Schreckenberg.

Otis cites her love of children and the importance of providing a good education for them as reasons for seeking the office.

"I am concerned with the immediate and long-term future of the district," she said. "I believe my experience with the district will be a benefit in helping mold that future."

Otis, 42, a native of Houston, Minn., served on the school board from July 1994 until December 1998. She didn't seek re-election. She has lived in New Ulm for the past 20 years and has three children enrolled in District 88. She has two other children in college. She has a child at the high school, one at the middle school, and one at Washington Elementary School. She is a graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is working on her master's degree in theology at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, and her master's degree in social work at Augsburg College, Minneapolis.

"I believe my involvement with (children) gives me a good perspective to bring to the board," she said. "I have two that have already graduated, so I understand the importance of keeping our school district competitive."

Otis understands that budgetary issues arise over time and that the district is in a financial crunch, but she believes the district will pull through the crisis.

"Our job as a board is to get through the tough times while providing a solid environment for our students overall," she said.

If elected, Otis plans to take a no-nonsense approach to the board, with a positive attitude. She sees herself as a can-do person, and is always straight-forward in her approach, she said.

"I believe that it is vital that the board work together in the tough times," she said. "It is an easy thing to say, but it is a vital thing to do."

She has no serious issues with the current board or the way the district has been run the past few years. It is her overall goal to maintain a picture of what the district will look like after the budget restraints end, she said.

"We have to find a new source of revenue," Otis said. "We need to look in new and different ways if we are to accomplish that. I am proud of the district and like what I see. I want to be a part of that."

She realizes the challenges the district faces in the next four years.

"It will be a challenge to maintain our staff and our offerings," Otis said. "I want to see us offer advanced placement. Arts and music are important at all levels because they can challenge creativity. There is a price paid in the end if you lose those."

Serving on the school board is a serious job that requires hard work, honesty and communication, she said.

Diversity in the makeup of the school board is good, Otis said.

"I appreciate the differences and respect my fellow candidates," she said. "You have to be able to deal in good humor with any situation, as long as there are openness and honesty involved."