Ashland School District Candidate Forum

School District of Ashland School Board Candidate Forum was held Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 6 pm, District Office Conference Room. Candidates: Brandon Bowers, Jennifer Maveety, Kate Ullman, Scott Weber.

Forum Audio Link

We Are In a Constitutional Crisis

One thing is abundantly clear: our country is in a constitutional crisis.   The Founding Fathers, recognized the essential role of free speech and a free press in safeguarding liberty and ensuring an informed citizenry. George Washington warned against suppressing dissent, noting, “If men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments… the freedom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter”

 Authoritarianism is not merely a matter of state control; it is something that eats away at who you are.” Compelling you to comply with things you’d never accept, to do things you never thought you would do.     They can never truly know you, and that is your power. But to protect and wield this power, you need to know yourself—

 John Lewis taught that Fear is not something to be shunned. Rather, a sign post that you are headed in the right direction. You cannot have great fear without great courage. 

 I’ll add that contemplative practices are a necessary component for this alchemy of fear and courage to take place.  We must know ourselves so that fear may be that signpost and courage lead us forward into inspired action. A commitment to daily practice that we Tune our instrument before going out into the world, just as musicians tune before the symphony plays. They then tune together.

 If you cannot be brave——be kind. We must remember to Rest and Digest that we have the energy to for the good fight. Our connecting human to human in community is important! 

 Actions we each can take right now.

April 26 (Saturday) 1:30-4pm, Our Power Our Planet Co-Sponsored Earth Day Event with CCL at the United Presbyterian Congregational Church in Ashland. Sign making in Church basement 12:30 to 1:15; March lineup begins at 1:15, March 1:30; Program 2-3, Angela Stroud Key-note address, Bill Baily facilitates a panel discussion on Renewable Energy Projects around the area; 3-4 table discussion are refreshments in LL.  See Flyers

The Wisconsin Biennial Budget process is underway. The Joint Finance Committee will be making decisions on how our tax dollars will be spent. We have an opportunity to participate in the process – adding voice to how those dollars come back into our communities –

April 28 (Monday) 10am-5pm Joint Finance Committee Public Hearing.  At the Hayward High School Auditorium (10320 Greenwood Lane).  Attend in person or submit comments by mail or email–more info: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments/ 

What are the services and programs that are near and dear to you? Expanding Medicaid, Public Education, Child Care, Housing, PFAS Remediation. Restore funding for FLPA - Combating Food insecurity with Local Food Purchase Assistance, continue funding for the Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program - protecting our lakes and streams, securing critical wildlife habitat, and providing world-class recreational opportunities.

Wednesday, April 30 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. State Superintendent, Jill Underly Funding Information Sessions. Ashland High School, Instructional Media Center (1900 Beaser Ave., Ashland, WI, 54806)  As Wisconsin navigates the uncertainty surrounding federal funding and the state biennial budget, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly announced the launch of a new effort to help the public better understand how state, federal, and local funding directly impacts the state’s K-12 public schools and libraries. 

Sunday, May 4 from 12 – 2pm MMIWR Awareness Event Bayview Park, Ashland.  Ceremony and Speakers at noon, Food Trucks, Raffles and more.  2025 National Week of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives, taking place on May 5–9, 2025. This week of action is a powerful time to honor our relatives, raise awareness, and demand justice.

 The US House passing the SAVE Act is an attack on the fundamental right to vote and our democracy. A REAL ID wouldn’t satisfy the SAVE Act’s harsh proof of citizenship requirements in Wisconsin. This bill isn’t about election integrity, it’s Voter Suppression! Tell members of the Senate to protect voting rights and oppose the SAVE Act. Call 202-224-2131.

 The LWV ABC is a part of the LWV of the Upper Mississippi River Region. We are looking for a league member who would be interested in being a delegate for their annual meeting held on zoom June 3rd. Please contact Joan Elias, Natural Resources Committee Chair at eliasje99@gmail.com

The LWVWI Natural Resources Committee is proposing a review and update of the current position on Energy. The current position was updated in 20000. Much still applies to Air/Water/Land/etc., but as there is a moving target with Energy Technology, especially in the current political climate, we have agreed we need to update this position. We are looking for a member who would be willing to prepare a proposal for a statewide Energy Position Study. Please contact Joan Elias, Natural Resources Committee Chair at eliasje99@gmail.com

As an organization committed to protecting democracy, civil rights, and equal justice in Wisconsin, we are deeply troubled by the news of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s arrest by federal agents at the courthouse. The LWV WI is monitoring this situation closely, and urge investigators to proceed with integrity– upholding the essential principles of justice and due process that protect all our fundamental freedoms. Joint Statement from Wisconsin Voting Rights and Civil Liberties Organizations on the Arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan

Illegal ICE Abductions – Every day for an hour Diane Koosed is standing outside in Ashland. If you are interested in joining her contact Diane at kookake@gmail.com

Reminders:

Check out the Indivisible Website for Actions taking place in our region taking place on May 1st.

Ashland Indivisible meets every Monday evening at Bohemian Hall 5:30-7pm

Neighbors Union meets every Wednesday evening at the Washburn Library 5:30-7:30

LWV ABC Washburn League Café meets the Third Tuesday of each month at the Washburn Library at 2pm.

Stay Engaged!

“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in the process of change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world”  ~ Howard Zinn

 Feel free to connect with questions.

Kate

Reflecting on the November 5, 2024 Election

Dear Members and Friends,

Dianna Wynn, President of LWVUS put out this message last evening:

As we reflect on the election, we hold multiple truths.

1. It was a fair, secure election marked by integrity, transparency, and high turnout. This is thanks to the dedication of election workers and civic volunteers nationwide; and

2. Women's future is unclear.

Given the sexist, racist rhetoric heard throughout this season, we are deeply concerned about the challenges women, LGBTQIA+ people, immigrants, and other communities will face in the next administration. 

Like you, we are still processing. Yet as we move forward, we are holding on to two more truths:

1.    We're thankful for the people who empowered millions of voters to make their voices heard, including League members nationwide; and

2.    We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocating for both women and our democracy.

For more, read my statement with LWV's CEO Celina Stewart, Esq..

We don't know exactly what will come next, but the League stands strong and ready to speak out against authoritarianism and defend democracy.

We are ready to face the future with your partnership.

In League,

Dianna Wynn

I had a conversation with Dianna the day before the election on the concerns of many about the harmful rhetoric and the need to call it out.  I am pleased to see this stance.

I also believe we are uniquely positioned as a Non-partisan organization to be the bridge builders. A Democracy cannot survive if we all believe there is a chasm that cannot be crossed.   There are various tools available to assist in breaking down political toxicity to foster collaboration across differences to find solutions…. Is that not what a healthy democracy is!

Here are some resources that may be helpful for navigating this moment in time.

“Your candidate won — or lost. Now what?” Jonathan Stray of Better Conflict Bulletin shares his thoughts on “How To Win and Lose an Election.”

Can we see each other? On a podcast, David Brooks argues that “seeing each other can combat polarization.” Listen now.

Anxiety about violence? Many Americans have concerns about the potential for political violence. Read Op-ed in The Hill

“Don’t destroy what you want to inherit.” Jacopo DeMarinis, a student in Peace and Conflict Studies, asks how we can build “a more united, peaceful country for our children to inherit?” Read his piece.

At times we must face the elephant in the room, seeing our own part in contributing to an issue. The starry sky early Wednesday morning reminded me that despite what I might think is unraveling before me, there is the possibility of something new being woven together in the interconnected web of life.

As always, I am available for your questions and concerns.

Kate