Candidate Profile: Jon Cohn For Whitnall School Board

GREENFIELD, 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 Whitnall School Board, which will have a primary vote on Feb. 15, to answer questions about their campaigns. The Whitnall School District is comprised of part of Greenfield, part of Franklin and Hales Corners.

We will be publishing candidate profiles, and a voter guide as election day draws near. Come primary election night, we'll be keeping track of the results.

Jon Cohn

Age (as of Election Day)

51

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Whitnall School Board

Party Affiliation

n/a

Family

Casey (wife) and two daughters in Whitnall School District

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Not Whitnall

Education

Masters Degree in Management

Occupation

Fire Chief - 30 years in Fire/Emergency Medical Services with 14 years as Chief

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/JonCo...

Why are you seeking elective office?

To continue to serve our community and ensure students are prepared for their future.

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

The single most pressing issue facing our district is the need to ensure students receive the best education and experience that prepares them for their future. The question is how? (See my thoughts below.)

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

Leadership. My professional life places me in a position of; leadership, oversight, creating mission/vision/goals, advocating, oversight and accountability. Everyday, I lead and manage our members and our organization. Our organization has been agents of change and innovation despite critics. We have become a looked to organization. I understand the general oversight responsibilities of a Board member (do not micromanage) and want to bring this insight to the district.

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

This is not about failing or a grudge but what can I bring to the Board and better prepare our students for the future. I can, I will.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Certainly, the best education and experiences. But how?
-Create an environment for learning
-Address mental health, wellness, bullying , social media and build resiliency
-Recruit. retain the best staff, build a positive culture
-Prepare students for their future, despite not knowing what that exactly looks like and change happening fast
-Exposure to other post high school opportunities including vocations and trades. Increase job shadowing and mentoring by partnering with the community and businesses.
-Be fiscally responsible. A vast majority of residents (tax payers) do have students in the district. We must be fiscally responsible and efficient to ensure we are providing value while maintaining a good district vibe as this is an important component of where we choose to live.

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

Reflecting on my career, I have had a focus on children and families.
- Serve as President of the Milwaukee County Fire Chiefs
- Broke down service barriers and created efficiencies.
- Partnered for five years with Hunger Task Force to turn every fire station in the county into a peanut butter drop off site to fight hunger and benefit children and families.
- Served as President of the Wisconsin Fire Chiefs Association
- Passed bill that requires students to learn CPR prior to graduation.
- Created a Case Manager/Social Worker position with our organization. This was the first such position by a Fire department in the State. This position continues to help children and families by addressing issues and connecting them to resources. Called foolish by many three years ago, Case Manager positions are being created in other communities in Milwaukee County and around the State.
- Serving as volunteer Camp Director for the Wisconsin Burn Camp is one of my greatest highlights. Leading 70 other volunteer that provided a free, week long camp to burn injured children was incredible. During my tenure we practiced tough love, accountability and mentoring. Years later, seeing some of the successes emerge is incredible and one of the most valued experiences that helped shape me and my leadership.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

There is so much I have learned and continue to learn. My Dad (who recently died) taught me to treat everyone with respect and dignity. Be inclusive and embrace diversity (he was well before his time). Thus one of my favorite quotes is "nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care" (author unknown).

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

We have to find a way to come together and focus on the majority of items we agree. We have to bring back civility and respect (our children are watching). Change is hard. Change is a dial, not a switch. Change will not happen overnight but I want to help turn the dial that better prepares our children for their future.