On School Board Candidate Dan McCrea

One may say a few things with confidence. 

First, those who have followed Whitewater’s schools & politics know Dan McCrea. He’s a member of the school board now, and is seeking re-election.

Second, I’m not typically predisposed toward incumbents. 

Third, and this matters to me more than either of the preceding: Dan McCrea’s experience, ability, and outlook makes him easily deserving of re-election. 

It would be foolish – odd, really – to ignore his solid presence on our school board.  To argue categorically against incumbency would be to overlook his strength as a candidate and representative for the district. 

Sound judgment requires that one see and appraise a situation clearly, or at least make a serious attempt to do so. 

These are not easy times for Wisconsin.  A Great Recession, one that lasted longer as financial-sector recessions do, and imposed policies more celebrated than effective, have only mired us in unwelcome choices and inauspicious alternatives. 

We hoped for better in Wisconsin; we’re managing through less than we hoped. 

Some will have to be part of Whitewater’s efforts to slip between the shoals.  Dan McCrea should be one of those elected for that effort. 

He’s done budget work of the kind we need (in past board service, in current board service, and in his profession), he’s knowledgeable about where Whitewater now stands, and he’s likely to choose fairly, reasonably, and perceptively  from among alternatives.  Mr. McCrea has worked effectively with his colleagues.  As a parent of a currently-attending student, he’s knowledgeable about our schools as they are now. 

There’s ample reason for returning him to office. 

All the candidates in the race prepared a statement of their views, and Dan McCrea’s is online at http://www.lwvwhitewater.org/elections.html.  From that statement, consider his remarks on assuring that we have a strong and inspiring faculty:

One of the top three issues for the district is the recruitment and retention of quality teachers and staff. The district is currently working with staff on the implementation of Teachscape, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s teacher evaluation tool modeled after Charlotte Danielson’s framework for teaching. The model’s four domains include planning and preparation, professional responsibilities, the classroom environment and instruction. Effective teacher evaluation should lead to improved instruction. In addition to focusing on the art of teaching, compensation practices, a culture
that supports innovation in the classroom and aligned professional development will all aid the recruitment and retention of effective educators.

He’s right. This approach will not succeed, however, without forward-looking members of the board. Mr. McCrea has been, and would be, that necessary kind of board member. 

Now, I have a theory about Mr. McCrea, having heard him speak these several years, including recently during this campaign. 

A guess, but surely a sound one: if one poured all the arguments in the world on Dan McCrea, with all the ability one could summon, still he would stand firm, listen, and respond accordingly based on his best assessment. 

That, really, is how policy should be: strong arguments, delivered and answered. There are other ways to look at all this; they’re of little interest, and no lasting value. 

We may select two from among three candidates running in the April 7th election.  We’re fortunate that Dan McCrea, like Kelly Davis, is among those choices. 

I support Dan McCrea for school board, and I hope you will, too.

Previously: On School Board Candidate Kelly Davis and On the Whitewater Schools. 

Tomorrow: On School Board Candidate Jim Stewart.