MARSHALL — At a public forum in Marshall this week, candidates for the Marshall School Board discussed key issues ranging from classroom learning to workforce development. The forum, part of a series leading up to the fall election, featured incumbents Matt Coleman and Anne Marie Vorbach, alongside challengers Mary Swanson, Timothy Van Moer, Anne Veldhuisen, and Charlotte Wahle.
Candidates addressed teacher shortages and workforce preparation, noting that Marshall Public Schools (MPS) has been struggling to attract new teachers. Coleman highlighted efforts like raising starting salaries, while Swanson and Veldhuisen emphasized the importance of early recruitment and fostering community pride to encourage young people to return as educators.
Discussion also turned to preparing students for local careers. Van Moer suggested MPS should collaborate with local industries to make students aware of opportunities in the community. Wahle echoed the need for partnerships, pointing to career expos as valuable resources.
The candidates also tackled broader concerns, such as meeting the needs of a growing, diverse student body. Veldhuisen spoke about the challenges of maintaining classroom consistency, while Vorbach and Wahle emphasized the importance of creating a safe, inclusive environment where all students feel valued.
Absenteeism and student safety were other pressing issues. Coleman raised concerns about increasing student absenteeism, while Swanson pointed to safety concerns in schools, calling for solutions to ensure students and teachers can focus on learning without fear.
Overall, candidates agreed on the need to address both immediate challenges like staffing and long-term goals of workforce readiness and diversity in education. The forum set the stage for a closely watched election, with three school board seats up for grabs.
At a recent forum in Marshall, candidates for mayor and city council discussed key issues affecting the community’s future, focusing on economic growth, housing, and child care. The city’s upcoming elections will determine the mayor and fill three city council seats. Incumbent Mayor Bob Byrnes faces challenger Noel Ayala, while city council candidates Dereck Deutz, Amanda Schwartz, and David Sturrock are vying for the Ward 2 seat.
Growth and employment emerged as critical themes, with Byrnes emphasizing the need for balanced development to attract and retain families. Ayala highlighted the importance of marketing Marshall’s existing assets, such as local colleges and state programs, to promote workforce enhancement. Deutz, Schwartz, and Sturrock echoed concerns about retaining young residents, the need for affordable housing, and addressing the city’s child care shortage.
The candidates also addressed the rising costs of Marshall’s planned Aquatic Center, with several agreeing that adjustments to the project were necessary to stay within budget. Byrnes and Ayala suggested reevaluating design plans, while Schwartz and Sturrock emphasized community support for the project and the importance of delivering it despite budget challenges.
Lyon County commissioner candidates addressed key local concerns during a series of forums held Tuesday. Incumbent Rick Anderson and challenger Tom Chandler, both running for the District 5 seat, discussed topics ranging from renewable energy projects to child care and housing shortages. Anderson emphasized the importance of managing new wind and solar farms while ensuring respect for landowners. He also highlighted the need for improved child care to attract families. Chandler echoed these priorities, focusing on balancing renewable energy projects with landowner rights and the county’s role in infrastructure maintenance.
Both candidates agreed that housing and economic development were critical for combating population decline. Chandler stressed the need for more starter homes and better day care options, while Anderson pointed to ongoing housing projects in Marshall, Tracy, and Balaton as efforts to address this challenge. The forum also touched on budgeting issues, with Chandler noting the impact of inflation on county finances. Anderson underscored the importance of emergency medical services, citing a recent $9.9 million grant for telemedicine upgrades as a positive development for the region.
