MEET THE CANDIDATES

Tricia Auten

I am a mother to three amazing young adults who have all attended Walled Lake Schools. I also own and operate a successful, local business. I have long felt if you want to see change happen, you have to be part of the resolution, and I am eager to lead and to improve our school district!

My two oldest kids are graduates of Walled Lake Northern and my youngest is a Junior there. In the time we have spent in the school district, I have observed and experienced the care and compassion that our amazing teachers and administrators have provided for my family. I want to give back to our community and I want to help shape the future of our school district.

I believe that the most important thing I can do as a school board member is to ask questions. With the answers I am provided, I will then work to formulate an appropriate response and seek results. Often, we seek to pass judgement without fully understanding a situation, and I want to change that. I want to make sure that I, and our community, truly understand the 'why' behind decisions in our district, so that I can better understand the 'how'. And, when something doesn't make sense or something seems broken, I want to help be part of the process to fix it.

My children were and are athletes, and a number of my concerns go back to my experience with not just athletics, but also with raising healthy, well-rounded kids. From things as simple as understanding why our cafeterias are selling energy drinks, to questioning why our high school sports seasons seem to last all year, without a break for our kids, I believe there are healthier and better ways to approach helping our students find success.

Whether our students are headed to college after high school, or to the military, or to the trades, the foundations we build right here in our schools and in our community are paramount to their success, and I want to see all of our students thrive both mentally and physically. I think getting Back to Basics with our schools is the way to do that, and I am eager to be part of that process!

If I am elected, I promise to be your voice on the school board.  I will ask the tough questions, listen for the answers, and seek to understand and improve the results. I care because you care, and I believe that, together, we can build a brighter future!

Lisa West

As a mother and a teacher, I have been an advocate for children and for education for many years. Seeing the challenges our students, schools, and community have faced over the last several years has been heartbreaking, and I wanted to do something to help. I started regularly attending school board meetings, where I have spoken about several topics, including reading and phonics, safety and security, and the overall operation of our district. Often, my comments have been met with silence from our administration and our board, and that doesn't sit right with me. I believe that our board and administration need to serve with a high level of integrity and be held accountable for their actions. I believe that being part of the solution is important and so, after much thought and prayer, I decided that it was time for me to step up and take my advocacy to another level and run for this position.

Having grown up my entire life within Walled Lake Schools, where I attended Oakley Park, Keith, Clifford Smart, and Walled Lake Central, I know how amazing our district has been. Our ratings and results have fallen off in the last several years, and I know, with the right leadership, we can return to greatness. I greatly appreciate the support I have already received, and I look forward to serving this amazing community!

Rebecca Behrends

I am a retired Emergency Physician, having resided in the Walled Lake School District for 24 years. I have cared for many children and youth in my 30 years of medical practice, with 18 of those years working for the DMC at Huron Valley Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township.

I have seen the successes and struggles of my extended family members in their K-12 educational experiences. I have a particular concern about literacy and the fact that over 40% of students in third grade are not reading at grade level in some district schools. This affected me in a personal way when I discovered that a niece of mine could not read well in middle school. Her teachers and counselor assured me that all was well and that she would always be able to “get help” if she had issues with reading. That never happened. She was given a pat on the back and “socially promoted” to the next grade. I learned that my niece was not alone in her struggles with literacy. Far from it. The question is why?

This prompted me to start attending school board meetings several years ago. I have engaged with the Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services and the former Superintendent through emails and conversations about reading curricula. I still have not received adequate responses about why so many children are lagging behind in literacy. I believe we have excellent teachers. Is the problem in the methods and curricula they are using? This has to be looked at very seriously. I want to lend my skills and life experiences to create pathways to academic excellence and improvement in literacy for our students. I am a problem solver and analytical in my approach to issues. Students must come first in all the deliberations of school board members and I want to be part of the team that ensures that.

I grew up in an era when student achievement was the goal first and foremost and respect for teachers was paramount. We need to re-instill these values and I hope to be able to help direct funding and policy as school board member once you cast your vote for me, Rebecca Behrends, this November!

Steve Rix

Many people in the community know me as Coach Steve, as I have been heavily involved in youth baseball leagues for many years. My son attends Walled Lake Northern, where he plays on the baseball team. I started to grow concerned about our district's operations when I saw the condition of the baseball fields and, when I tried to advocate for better conditions, I was met with empty promises and no results. I tried to communicate through the appropriate channels to find help, and my son and his teammates even spoke at a board meeting, yet we received little traction. Thankfully, a couple board members cared enough to listen to my concerns, and I am hopeful things are now headed in the right direction for our fields. That is when I realize that there is a real benefit to having a seat at the table, and that is when I started thinking about running for school board.

When I floated the idea to a couple of friends, I was met with excited and heartfelt support. Many people told me I would be great in this role, and so, after speaking with my wife and my son, I decided to answer the call. I believe that my background in project management, civil engineering, and previously working for Oakland County gives me a set of skills and qualifications that is needed on our board. Especially as the district begins the process to start the bond projects from our most recent bond election, I believe that my skills will be invaluable to helping our board make strong, sound decisions as the work gets underway.

I am not running because I have some greater plan or because I've been trying to be on the school board for years.  I'm simply a dad and a coach within the community who believes things can be better. I served my country in the US Navy, now I am eager to serve my community as a member of the Walled Lake School Board. I appreciate your support!