District 2B candidate for the IKM-Manning School Board, Steve Wiskus, says stakeholders need to come together for the benefit of the students and communities that make up the district. Wiskus is a 1995 graduate of Manning High School and now lives in Manilla with his wife, Marie, a 1995 IKM High School alum. The couple has two children: an adult son, Mark; and a fifth-grader at IKM-Manning, Owen. Wiskus decided to run after seeing the divide grow over recent bond referendums for improvements and renovations to the district’s facilities, some of which he opposed. He says the district cannot move forward in a productive way until they address the division first.
He adds that he agrees the district’s facilities are in need of repair and supports the proposed $1.24 physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL) that is on the ballot Nov. 2.
According to Wiskus, the PPEL will only be able to fix the most pressing problems. He believes the only way to ensure the long-term viability of IKM-Manning is if voters on both sides of the divide are willing to make compromises. While facility improvements are a top issue for most voters as Election Day draws nearer, Wiskus says it is not the only thing board members will be working on. He looks at the great things IKM-Manning is doing in their STEM, SPARK and FIRE programs. Wiskus wants to bring that same mentality to other educational areas.
He adds if IKM-Manning is to thrive, each community in the district needs to thrive, too. Wiskus says voters in District 2B have a tough choice on Nov. 2 and makes a final appeal before ballots are cast.
Josh Linde of rural Aspinwall is the other candidate running in District 2B. Carroll Broadcasting will provide Election Day coverage for races in IKM-Manning and other surrounding districts on-air and online at www.carrollbroadcasting.com or the Carroll Broadcasting mobile app.
