Mequon-Thiensville School Board candidates discuss talents and experiences, top district priorities and improving the board's relationship with the community
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct an error in incumbent Wendy Francour's experience on the school board. She has served as vice president, clerk and treasurer.
One of four Mequon-Thiensville School Board members who survived a recall election in November 2021 is the last of the four still seeking to keep her spot on the board.
Wendy Francour and fellow incumbent Erik Hollander are both up for election this year. However, while Francour is planning to run again, Hollander is not. That means there will be at least one new board member elected this year. Last year, the two other board members who survived the 2021 recall election — Akram Khan and Chris Schultz — both chose not to run again.
This year, Francour and three challengers — Sergey Babakhanov, Kate Barikmo and Megan Heinzelman — will square off for two seats on the board.
The candidates responded to questions about what they would bring to the board, what they consider to be the district's top priority and whether they think the relationship between the school board and community has improved since the recall. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words.
What unique talents and experiences would you bring to the board?
Babakhanov: Mequon has been my home for the past 20 years. As a father of four children, it is my duty to serve my community. Knowledge in risk management/security, and public safety will benefit our schools by enhancing the safety of our students and staff. Education: BS-Criminal Justice from UW-Milwaukee; Experience: Brown Deer PD, Glendale PD, Milwaukee PD, USMS. Coming from a family of educators, I have a keen understanding of what it means to be a teacher. I believe our community can be united through a common goal of providing the best learning environment to all our children.
Barikmo: If elected, I would be the only educator on the board. With my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and a license in ESL education, I am equipped with a skill set to support all types of learners and a deep understanding of what our students need. Since I am currently teaching, I have extensive knowledge of current best practices in education and how to put them into place in the classroom. I am also a licensed emergency medical technician, and because of that I have the knowledge to support the district by creating effective policies that enhance school safety.
Francour: I am the only candidate: with nine years of community service as board of education vice president, clerk and treasurer who was recalled and re-elected; with decades of MTSD volunteerism as PTO Co-President, chair of multiple committees and task forces and for MTEF committees and events; who as a BOE member helped create MTSD mission, vision, strategic plans, approved 10-year long-range master plan, legislative platform, academic recovery plan and two school resource officers; who partnered with the superintendent to create Summer Academy, an engagement opportunity for all students; 32-year resident; parent of MTSD K-12 graduate; strong public education advocate.
Heinzelman: As a lawyer, I have served as an advocate for children’s best interests. I have been involved in very complicated and litigious matters. Over the past 15 years, I found the best way to tackle these matters is to create a calm and respectful environment. Every day I work with people from all backgrounds and appreciate all viewpoints. I can prioritize and articulate my decisions in a reasoned and rational fashion. I can stand up and say what needs to be said with candor. My service on corporate boards will translate well to the board of education.
What do you see as the top priority for the Mequon-Thiensville School District and how would you address it?
Babakhanov: Strong educational programs; accommodating learning needs of every child; encouraging family involvement and participation in the academics and after school programs; uniting M-T community to make it the best district in the state.
Barikmo: MTSD has a long history of being a high-achieving district. The top priority for MTSD should be maintaining that status in academic excellence. This is easier said than done, but MTSD administrators and staff have done a wonderful job steering the district through numerous obstacles. If we show our support for our district leaders, staff and students, we can maintain our district’s standing as high-achieving and continue to make progress towards other goals.
Francour: There are two top priorities: 1) Unfinished learning from the pandemic, mental health, educational technology and academic advancement for all students for which the board approved the academic recovery plan aligned with MTSD strategic plan — www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/district/2022-2023/arp — and approved ESSER Fund spending to benefit all students — www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/district/news/story-details/~board/district-news/post/us-department-of-education-approves-esser-iii-funding-plan-for-wisconsin-schools; 2) BOE legislative platform, to focus collaborative efforts with community members and policy makers: www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/board/legislative-platform/legislative-advocacy-priorities.
Heinzelman: The top priority for me is promoting civility. Mequon-Thiensville is my home, and I want our youth to love school just as I did. The current social media platforms by our stakeholders must change. Collectively, this community must make children paramount in tough decisions to inspire them to learn and grow. There is no better feeling than witnessing children learning in the classroom. I was raised by an educator. I will take advice from professionals to set positive examples for our youth, including helping them overcome adversity.
The November 2021 recall election divided the Mequon-Thiensville community. Since that time, do you think the relationship between the school board and community has improved? If not, what would you do to improve that relationship?
Babakhanov: In my opinion the relationship between the M-T communities has improved tremendously. Key reasons for the improvements: Newly elected board members are willing to communicate, are open to criticism, evaluate new ideas from the M-T families, open to review questionable curriculum materials and address it with the school administration. In order to further improve the relationship between the M-T School Board and the community, it is very important not to be biased and to hear both sides and consider an optimal resolution instead is siding with those who only support one-sided ideas and are not willing to compromise.
Barikmo: This race has shown me that the community is still deeply divided. However, I don’t believe we are as deeply divided as we were during the recall. Finding common ground is the single most important thing we can do to heal our community. Let’s start with this: We all want to support our students and give them the best education possible. If we can go back to the basics, without getting lost in the weeds, I think we’d find that we have a lot in common.
Francour: The board took the recall very seriously, hearing the voices on all sides. Since, to increase communication, we instituted board office hours, an open invitation to engage. MTSD now mails a quarterly newsletter to all households. We continue to have citizen communication and comments at every regular business meeting; each board member’s contact information has always been on the district website. The board welcomes engagement with community members, those we are elected to serve. We continue to listen to all voices and are committed to provide governance direction and oversight to the district reflecting community views, following policies and statutes.
Heinzelman: The pandemic and responses to it were highly emotional for just about everyone in our community. I believe people were isolated, including our youth, and that isolation created a great deal of uncertainty. After spending time talking with our community leaders and voters, I believe there has been progress. I believe our stakeholders need to be heard, I will listen to them and take appropriate actions as a board member.
Sergey BabakhanovAge: 43Address: 7080 W. Creekside Court, MequonPast political experience: N/ACommunity involvement: M-T school parent Contact info: 414-745-8250
Kate BarikmoAge: 26 Address: 311 East Freistadt, Thiensville Past political experience: No previous elected office Community involvement: EMTContact info: 262-674-4197, katebarikmo4mtsd@gmail.com
Wendy FrancourAge: 67Address: 2615 W. Ranch Rd., MequonPast political experience: Nine years of volunteer service on the Mequon-Thiensville School District Board of EducationCommunity involvement: Mequon-Thiensville School District Board of Education member, Crossroads Presbyterian church member and volunteerContact info: wfrancour@yahoo.com; (262) 242-4647
Megan HeinzelmanAge: 45Address: 7821 W Highlander Drive, MequonPast political experience: None.Community involvement: Support local organizations with fundraising efforts. Given my education, I am able to help local families with pro bono legal services, including preparing income tax returns. Support local families that need basic essential items through our existing organizations. Support local youth sports and extracurricular activities. Served as tax counsel on the Mequon Spur 16 development project to bring rental real estate and family friendly restaurants.Contact info: megan@heinzelmanformtsd.com; 414-467-5306
Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.
Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.
DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Four candidates running for two seats in Mequon-Thiensville
