Two seek town of Greenwood seat on Rib Lake School Board

Two candidates are seeking the town of Greenwood seat on the Rib Lake School Board. Candidates were sent a questionnaire asking them why they were running and questions about the future of the district.

Here are their responses in alphabetical order:

Mitch Peters

My name is Mitch Peters and am 42 years old. I have been married 16 years and have three children ages 15,14, and 8 in the school district. My wife and I currently own and operate a small dairy farm. She stays home and works with the cows. I do extra work rebuilding diesel engines, general farm repair and as a traveling mechanic.

Why do you want to serve on school board?

From high school I have had and learned from many different jobs, which help me on the farm. Experiences from working as a semi, diesel and farm mechanic, production welder, sawyer (saws lumber), selling automotive parts, farm equipment operator, to dealing with all of those customers and people in each field, to being part of and leading a few grandstand events with truck and tractor pulling off road racing. Reflecting back amazes me on how many different people I have dealt with over the last 20 plus years.

I chose to run for school board, because I see a need for people with a lot of experiences in the world to help keep the school pointed in the right practical direction. With my service I hope to help the board direct the school to push kids not only for college, but to be frank, put some practical knowledge in the kids to prepare for work right from high school. Just look in the paper and the many signs in town, “help wanted”.

What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing the school district and what will you do as a board member to overcome that challenge? What can the school district do within budgetary limitations to attract and retain quality educators and staff? How do you feel the school district can be more responsive to the needs of the community?

For my answers as to what to do for budget, retaining staff, and other challenges the district may face, is to keep an open dialog going with everyone.

Some areas of school may not change much, but some things are way different than 10 years ago. On the farm I keep an eye on everything. You have to budget a little every year for maintenance, keep the help happy or no work gets done, or tractors quit running. You can’t ignore that or all of a sudden the roof blows off or cow dies or a tractor blows up.

2022 Spring Election: