Two compete for spot on Whitehall school board

Both of the people looking to join the Whitehall school board are aware of the challenges that face rural public schools and think they can help guide the district in the right direction.

Dave Pientok and Amy Bergerson will compete in Tuesday’s election for the spot on the board that was vacated by Leah Johnson, who chose not to seek reelection.

The owner of Tri-City Sanitation for 29 years, Pientok has a long list of public service experience. He has sat on the boards for the Union Bank of Blair (for 15 years) and the Hiawatha National Bank. He has been on the University of Wisconsin Badgers Men’s Basketball Booster board, the Gundersen/Tri-County foundation board, the Gundersen/Tri-County steering committee. He has served on the St. John’s Catholic Church pastoral and finance councils, and as the St. John’s Fall Festival chair. He has been the Beef and Dairy Days Committee vice president, served on the Hudson and Whitehall Lions Clubs for 35 years, including as the treasurer, vice president and president. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for 40 years, was the aquatic center campaign chair, helped organize the Whitehall Area Youth Association and raised money for Melby Park renovation.

The Minnesota School of Business graduate knows the district is faced with limited resources to cover expenses. 

“The expenses are increasing faster than needed money is coming in,” Pientok said. “It’s a delicate juggling act to use the funds in an efficient manner.” 

He said he hopes his business and financial background can help the district. He also understands the emphasis of providing a quality education, stating his goal, if he is elected is to “try to maintain quality education for our students while retaining quality educators and control expenses that can be controlled at the local level.”

“There are no perfect scenarios that will please everyone,” Pientok said.

 Bergerson works for the city of Arcadia as a deputy clerk/treasurer and the utility billing clerk. She is a graduate of Alma Center High School and UW-Marshfield. 

She has served as a Sunday School Superintendent, VBS leader and on the Northfield Booster Club. She said she thinks the current board has done a good job.

“Public schools face many challenges,” Bergerson said. “Currently, I feel the district and the school board addresses these challenges daily, monthly and yearly with much success.” 

She sees issues with overcrowding classrooms, staffing shortages, staff retention and budgets. 

“I feel the most important responsibilities of a school board is to work with our community to improve student achievements, establish policies and leadership,” Bergerson said. 

If elected, she said she intends on listening to the public. “My focus and commitment will be to have the best interest in our schools by listening to you and being prepared to represent our community.”