Candidate Profile: Thor Misko For Greendale School Board Primary

GREENDALE, WI— The 2022 election is heating up in Wisconsin and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Voters will decide the outcome of state representative and senate seats, plus local government and school boards.

Patch asked the candidates for the Greendale School Board, which will have a primary vote on Feb. 15, to answer questions about their campaigns.

Thor Misko - Incumbent

Age (as of Election Day)

38

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Greendale School District School Board Member

Party Affiliation

Family

Lisa, my beautiful wife, and I are the proud parents of three fantastic children: Ziva (10 year old College Park 4th grader), Ryker (6 year old College Park kindergarten student), Myla (3 year old Highland View Bloom & Grow student).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My brother, Torin Misko, is the Chief of Police for the Village of Hartland. My mother, Meri Misko, works for Greendale Park & Rec. I was elected to the Greendale School District Board of Education in 2019 and currently serve as Vice President.

Education

I earned my bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), with specialties in building electrical systems and building environmental systems. I am also a Strategic Doing Trained Practitioner, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional, and pursuing a master’s degree from MSOE in engineering management.

Occupation

I am the vice president of project development and minority owner of Selzer-Ornst Construction Company - a commercial construction industry pioneer building flourishing communities since 1928.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

As noted previously, I am currently a board member and the vice president on the Greendale School Board.

Campaign website

www.facebook.com/ThorforGreend...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Greendale Schools are a symbol of excellence not only in Wisconsin but also in the United States. Our schools are a major asset to our village. The success of the Greendale Schools impacts us all, and is central to the continued health and prosperity of our community. Not only do our schools prepare the next generation to lead flourishing lives, they also assist in increasing the value of our homes.

However, sustainability is ultimately determined by one's ability to successfully navigate the waters of continuous improvement. And this is where my expertise has been and will continue to be helpful for Greendale Schools. I have seen and visited hundreds of schools across the country. I have seen schools both succeed and fail, and I know the importance of school leadership to increasing the quality of education for its community.

More than anything, I am a family man. Lisa, my beautiful wife, and I are the proud parents of three fantastic children: Ziva (10 year old College Park 4th grader), Ryker (6 year old College Park kindergarten student), Myla (3 year old Highland View Bloom & Grow student).

My mother, commonly known around Greendale as Coach Meri, made Greendale an integral part of my life over the last 38 years. Not only did this lead to my first job, working for the Greendale Park and Rec, it also fostered a respect and admiration for Greendale that ultimately led Lisa and me to select Greendale as our home – and the community where we will raise our children.

I see Greendale as an extension of my family, and I am willing to put in the time and effort to ensure that the Greendale Schools continue to improve and serve as a beacon for our community.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Our district’s priority must remain on recovering learning loss from the pandemic and improving the academic achievement of every student. To increase students’ proficiencies, particularly in math and reading, we need to (1) focus on grade level mastery of content area standards through our instruction, (2) assess and track standards mastery within classroom assessments, and (3) employ professional learning communities to analyze student performance and adjust instruction to spark student curiosity and engagement. For a specific example of what this personalized student learning plan looks like in action, check out the College Park’s Panther Pride presentation from Monday’s School Board Meeting (https://bit.ly/34BDKHY).

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As the only school board member with children in the district, I have been honored to bring my perspective and expertise to continuously improving Greendale Schools these past three years – and I hope to earn your vote on February 15 and April 5.

Below are a few of our district’s accomplishments since I joined the School Board.

We have improved access and opportunities for students by expanding our science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and career and technical education (CTE) course offerings and student participation, increasing the number of college-level course offerings and student participation, approving new curriculum to improve student achievement, increased student participation in co- and extra- curricular activities, improving school safety and security, enhancing learning environments within all five schools, maintaining or decreasing student fees, and hiring one of the top curriculum and instructional leaders within the State as our superintendent.

We have provided better support and systems for staff by training all teachers to apply project-based learning within their classrooms, improving our students sense of belonging and safety within our schools, adding mental health services, improving parent and community communication approaches and frequency, enhancing instructional technology tools and devices, being the first school district within the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) Region of Choice program, being recognized as a destination district, as well as winning numerous awards – including the district with the best teachers in the state for the last three years, having one of our teachers selected as the State teacher of year two years in a row, and having our director of business services honored as the State school business manager of the year.

We have made cost conscious decisions for residents by decreasing taxes each year (nearly an 8.5% decrease over the three years), leading an on schedule and within budget referendum, reducing debt through innovative refinancing and buydown strategies, implementing a self-funded health insurance program, and sharing IT services with the Village.

I promise to put in the effort, stay level headed, and always do what I think is best for our students.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

I am finishing my first term on the school board, and I am proud of the work we have done. I encourage you to check out my record for yourself (https://bit.ly/3HJA1GT), and I hope to earn your vote so I may help continue to guide and improve our great schools into the future.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have been and will remain focused on the ABC’s - (A) access and opportunities for students, (B) better support and systems for staff, and (C) cost conscious decisions for residents. I worked with the other Board members and over 30 community stakeholders to develop the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan (https://bit.ly/3HL9zN8) to help guide Greendale Schools into the future. This plan animates my ABC’s and is centered on academic achievement and cultivating excellence in every student – ensuring our schools continue to improve and serve as a beacon for our community.

Access & Opportunities for Students
I am focused on our students and providing them with access and opportunities to excel academically, discover their passions, and live up to their potential.

Better Support & Systems for Staff
I know that our faculty and staff are the true change agents. I promise to not only hold them to high expectations, but I will also support them diligently in their efforts. I have assisted in training thousands of educators to implement activity-, project-, and problem-based learning pedagogical approaches and will help Greendale become an exemplar for teacher professional development. I believe I have the important K-12, higher education, and industry connections and relationships that will benefit our students and educators.

Cost Conscious Decisions for Residents
I am fiscally conservative and will constantly seek out opportunities for Greendale Schools to become more efficient and effective. As a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and a Strategic Doing Trained Facilitator, I have a proven record of identifying opportunities and rallying teams to eliminate waste and improve quality – as evident in my previous response.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

A school board member must be passionate and committed to continuously improving our schools, while remaining engaged and fiscally responsible to all Greendale residents. I currently co-own and operate Selzer-Ornst Construction Company, a 93-year-old commercial construction company serving Southeastern Wisconsin. Previously, I led the Kern Family Foundation’s efforts to transform engineering education in US colleges, and served as an executive at PLTW, the nation’s largest K-12 STEM education program. I am very active in Greendale and serve on numerous non-profit boards.
- AbleLight (formerly Bethesda Lutheran Communities): Board Member
- Ahrens Foundation: Treasurer, Board Member
- Greendale Education Foundation: Past Board Member
- Greendale Park & Recreation: Past Committee Member
- Greendale Schools: Vice President, Board Member, Community Partnership Team Leader, Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) #1 Delegate, Panther Community Facilities Advisory Team Member, Time 4 Learning Board Member, Past Policy Committee Member
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE): Corporation Board Member & Alumni Association
- Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome (WSS) Foundation: Vice President/COO, Board Member, Past Secretary
- American Heart Association: Sponsor, Run/Walk Participant
- Blood Center of Wisconsin (Versiti): Donation Site
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Adopt-a-Highway: Sponsor & Volunteer
- International Facility Management Association (IFMA): Sponsor & Participant
- Hales Corners Lutheran Church: Member
- Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC): Region of Choice Representative

In addition to my background as an engineer, business owner, educational program developer, and community leader, I have a proven track record as a sound, logical, and driven leader on our school board.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Growing up, my grandfather had the serenity prayer taped on the inside of his shaving mirror. When I got to high school, he gave me a copy and asked me to read it each morning. This practice helps keep me grounded and level-headed but also motivated to make a difference in other peoples’ lives each and every day. It encourages me to constantly grow and be a better person so I may have the opportunity to positively impact more people in the future.

“God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change… the Courage to change the things I can… and the Wisdom to know the difference.”

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Please continue to reach out with your ideas, questions, and concerns. I cannot promise we will always agree, but I can promise I will always listen, respect and try to understand your perspective – and most importantly always do what I think is best for our students and our collective community.

My family and I seek, welcome, and deeply appreciate your support.