Dec. 13, 2021 9:55p
(WGTD)---Four applicants for a vacant position on the Racine School Board were interviewed by current board members Monday night.
The board is expected to name a replacement next week for Amy Cimbalnik, a board member who resigned recently for family reasons.
The applicants include William Hartenberger, a teacher at a Union Grove college for adults with disabilities; Amanda Bengston, a nurse; Tonya Evans, a former director of Racine’s Head Start program, and Theresa Villar, a former high school teacher who went on to become an attorney and now works in the D-A’s office. Villar and her husband also have two adopted, former foster children, including a 4K daughter with special needs.
Villar told the board: "I don't have a particular hidden agenda..or an axe to grind. I would just like to do my part to help in anyway that I can to continue the good work that the board is doing and help improve if we can the education of our children in Racine Unified.
Evans, the former Head Start director, said she believes the district needs to do a better job of highlighting the opportunities that exist for students once they graduate. "Many of the times, and especially for children of color, they lack hope in being able to believe that, first of all, there is life after graduation and then what does that look like," she said.
The upcoming board appointment is good through April. At that time, voters in the district, which includes Sturtevant and much of Mt. Pleasant, will pick a candidate to serve a full term.
All but Bengston, the nurse, said either way they plan to run for the seat. Bengston said it’s her understanding that she would not be eligible to run because redistricting will put her home in another district.
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