Testimonials
If you support the Appleton Area School District and believe in preparing our students for their future,
we want to hear about it.
John Ptacek, Parent, Software Engineer at Skyline Technologies
The world is a much different place than when I was a student. The town I grew up in Wisconsin had 2,000 people and my graduating class had about 120 students. I had a very small public library that was my doorway to the world.
Contrast that to my children, who literally have an entire world of information at their fingertips. This connectedness has changed the way businesses work and has greatly expanded markets for companies here in the Fox Cities.
I work at Skyline Technologies, which is a Wisconsin-based company. Despite our local geography, we have customers all over the world. One of our top clients is located in Switzerland. Every other month, they fly in from overseas to work in Appleton. This is a direct result of the leaps in technology that have opened up markets that never were available to companies 10 to 15 years ago.
At Skyline, we’re unable to hire enough software engineers for our open positions, despite the fact that these are good-paying jobs. The average salary for a starting software engineer out of college is $52,000 a year.
The reality is, today’s students aren’t learning the technology skills businesses need. The U.S. Labor Department says that 60 percent of the jobs in the future will require significant technology skills. The earlier we can provide students these skills needed to be hired for the jobs of today, the better job we’ve done preparing them.
I strongly encourage you to vote yes on both Appleton school referendum questions on Feb. 18. They helps address these needs. Our students need to be prepared for the connected world of the future. Their customers will be all over the world. They will have opportunities that we cannot even imagine yet.
John Cuff, Appleton
Freedom is the primary value for most Americans. Enshrined in the Declaration of Independence is the unalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
One of the primary ways that all Americans have an equal chance for pursuing happiness is through public education. By providing consistent, high-quality education to all, regardless of income, race, religion or other limiting factors, we’ve created a socially and economically strong society.
Without affordable public education, it’s very unlikely I would have my current job. As a result, it’s likely I would be earning far less and unable to support the community through taxes and charitable donations.
Public education pays back not only for individuals, but for businesses, communities and the entire American society.
On Feb. 18, the Appleton Area School District has two referendum questions to support renovation and new construction that will update schools for science, technology engineering and manufacturing. Your vote for this investment ensures that the ladder of opportunity is solidly in place for our students and businesses.
For America to be competitive in the world and maintain our freedoms, we need all of our talent. A strong public education has been providing the foundation for our success for generations and it’s critical that this foundation remains strong for future generations.
Mike Weller, President, ITW Welding North America
I’ll vote yes on both questions in the Feb. 18 Appleton school referendum.
K-12 education has expanded far beyond textbooks. Information can now be accessed anytime, anywhere. The proposed referendum will give each high school student access to a mobile computer. It’ll also provide increased computer access for elementary and middle-school students in grades 3-8 at a ratio of one for every four students.
As a result, our educators will be able to embed the use of tools such as spreadsheet analysis, Internetresearch, presentation and design skills, group networking programs and a host of other applications into their daily work — all skills necessary for their careers — no matter what track in life they pursue.
In addition, every instructional area will have a mounted ceiling projector and the associated equipment. Using technology in the classroom enables teachers to provide individualized learning experiences for students working at differing levels.
Studies suggest that the quality of K-12 education is a factor in determining a community’s quality of life. We know the quality of life — affected by the quality of the educational system — is increasingly an important consideration when professional and skilled people decide where they want to live.
Miller Electric’s success is through our people who have a strong educational base — similar to what we’re trying to give students in Appleton through this investment.
Both questions on the Feb. 18 Appleton school referendum deserve a yes vote.
Jeff & Julia Squier, parents of 3 AASD students
We chose to live in Appleton because of its strong schools. Students consistently perform above the state average. Staff and Administrators give 110%. With recent declines in state funding, tax payers need to support the budget shortfalls to maintain the excellence.
Much thought and input from parents, students, teachers, experts in applicable areas and members of the community went into drafting the referendum. The requests are needs to maintain the excellence. Additionally, it includes thoughtful ways to invest in our facilities to save money over time.
Voting yes to both questions is a sound investment for our community.
Jim Bowman, James Bowman Assciates
I will vote “yes” on both questions. I want to see our students prepared for the future.
US News and World Report says that many of the nation’s best jobs are in healthcare and technology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts strong growth in both sectors.
By 2020, employment in health care support positions will spike by 34.5 percent. Information technology jobs will also grow at warp speed. They are expected to swell by 14.3 percent by the end of the decade.
Let’s help our kids qualify for these and other jobs as they appear.
Gary Jahnke, 30-year Appleton resident, Parent, and Owner of Huzzard Systems and The Barcode Shop
I will vote Yes on both questions on the Feb 18th Appleton School.
The funding cuts in recent years will soon undermine school safety, lower our student’s education experience, and increase the cost of maintaining facilities.
Appleton schools deliver an excellent education and the school district has prudently managed spending.
Strong schools enhance our community, increase the values of our homes, and provide our students with the training they need to be successful.
Jeff Knezel
As a practicing CPA for 28 years, I understand how businesses need well prepared workers to be successful.
As a senior citizen, I understand how community services and property values are greatly dependent on excellent schools adding to our quality of life.
As a grandparent, I understand how important it is to have quality, up to date schools for our grandchildren. As a community volunteer, I understand how our schools provide vital services for the needy.
And as a recently retired school board member who has had the opportunity to be in all of our schools, I understand how important this referendum is to maintaining and enhancing the learning experiences of our most vital resource - our children.
Please vote “yes” for both questions on February 18th.