Executive Board Statement: County Board 5th District

After interviewing both candidates for Dane County Board District 5 and after considerable discussion, the CDM Executive Board is offering no recommendation to the CDM Membership. Both Conor O'Hagan and Wyndham Manning are candidates that would adequately represent the district and students, and both have shortcomings that will hopefully be addressed during the course of their campaigns. However, as an Executive Board, we did not feel that a recommendation in favor of either candidate would be fair because of the involvement of members of the board with an individual campaign. Those board members with ties to a campaign were not involved in any part of the questioning or discussion. Both Mr. O'Hagan and Mr. Manning will have the opportunity to present to the Membership and to answer questions during the February 6 Membership endorsement meeting. We, the Executive Board, leave it to the Membership to decide whom it would like to endorse - one, both, or neither.

Executive Board Statement: Madison Metropolitan School Board

After meeting with both candidates, the Executive Board is recommending that both candidates be endorsed for their respective seats on the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education.

Ms. Passman, a former educator in the Madison schools provides a commitment to public schools and depth of understanding in education that is seldom seen in government today. We are encouraged by her enthusiasm for the position and her resemblance to former Board member Bill Keys, who always committed himself to the betterment of education for those most in need.

Mr. Hughes is also a sound candidate and will serve the District well. He brings a business background to the Board that is helpful in such a difficult fiscal climate, while still emphasizing his commitment to Madison's schools. His discussion of "white flight" and the challenges of educating in a District where more and more children come from poverty was reassuring, and we believe that he will serve the Board well as a liaison to the greater Community.

Both candidates are running unopposed.