Board of Directors
Western Technical College functions within the Wisconsin Technical College System. The Western District includes all or portions of eleven Wisconsin counties: Buffalo, Clark, Crawford, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Sauk, Trempealeau, and Vernon.
In accordance to Wisconsin Statute, the Western Technical College is operated under the direction of the Western District Board, comprised of nine members who serve three-year staggered terms. The members of the District Board are appointed by a Board Appointment Committee composed of the county board chairpersons of the eleven counties in the Western District. Wisconsin Statute mandates that the nine members of the District Board be residents of the District, and that the Board consist of two employers, two employees, three additional members, an elected official, and a school district administrator.
Dr. Lynn Chakoian
Additional Member
Vernon County
216 S. Rusk
Viroqua, WI 54665
Res: 608.637.2060
Email: Chakoian@mwt.net
Community Volunteer
Chair of Vernon County Comprehensive Plan Commission
Original Appointment: July 2008
Current Term: July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011
Lynn Erickson
Employer Member
Juneau County
N5902 Co Rd HH
PO Box 73
Mauston, WI 53948
Bus: 608.847.1515
Res: 608.847.5501
Bus Fax: 608.847.5089
Email: lynn.erickson@micorp.com
Vice President/Business Banker
M & I Marshall and Ilsley Bank
401 East State St
Mauston, WI 53948
Original Appointment July 2007
Current Term: July 1, 2007-June 30, 2010
Mr. Daniel P. (Dan) Hanson
Employee Member
La Crosse County
W7908 Prairie Lane
Onalaska, WI 54650
Bus: 608.796.1400
Res: 608.791.0953
Bus Fax: 608.796.1410
Email: dphanson@centurytel.net
Community Services Director
Great Rivers United Way
1855 E. Main Street
Onalaska, WI
Original Appointment July 2004
Current Term: July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2010
Guy Leavitt
Chair
School District Administrator Member
Trempealeau County
636 Olson Street, Box 535
Blair, WI 54616
Bus: 608.786.4804
Res: 608.989.2397
Fax: 608.7864801
Email: gleavitt@cesa4.k12.wi.us
Administrator
District CESA #4
Street 923 East Garland Street
West Salem, WI 54669
Original Appointment: July 2003
Current Term: July 1, 2006-June 30, 2009
Ms. Sarah G. (Sally) Lister
Additional Member
Jackson County
N6570 Riverview Road
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Res: 715.284.9224
Fax: 715.284.4760
Email: sglister@cuttingedge.net
Community Volunteer Jackson County
Original Appointment: July 1996
Current Term: July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011
Ms. Joanne E. Sandvick
Vice Chair
Employee Member
La Crosse County
2529 Glendale Avenue
La Crosse, WI 54601
Bus: 608.785.5150
Res: 608.788.9624
Bus Fax: 608.785.5154
Email:sandvick.joan@uwlax.edu
Project Specialist
La Crosse Medical Health Science Consortium, Inc
1300 Badger Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Original Appointment:July 2003
Current Term: July 1, 2006-June 30, 2009
Mr. James T. (Jim) Shilling
Elected Official Member
Monroe County Board of Supervisors
Monroe County
120 N. Grace Street
Sparta, WI 54656
Res: 608.269.3827
Email: jshilling51@charter.net
Retired
Instructor/Assistant Principal of Sparta High School
Monroe County Board of Supervisors
Original Appointment: July 2005
Current Term: July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2011
Mr. Thomas E. (Tom) Smith
Treasurer
Employer Member
La Crosse County
1502 East Avenue N
Onalaska, WI 54560
Bus: 608.783.8860
Fax: 608.783.8671
Email: thomas_e_smith@uhc.com
Director, Business Operations
Midwest Security-United Health Care Insurance Companies
2700 Midwest Drive
Onalaska, WI 54650-8764
Original Appointment: July 2006
Current Term: July 1, 2006-June 30, 2009
Ms. Christine M. (Chris) Williams
Secretary
Additional Member
Monroe County
18748 Idaho Road
Sparta, WI 54656
Res: 608.269.6077
Email: hacwilli@charter.net
Retired: Monroe County Clerk (1996-2003)
Monroe County Personnel Coordinator (1977-1997)
Original Appointment: July 2004
Current Term: July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2010
Western Board Appointment Process
Appointed boards govern the 16 Wisconsin Technical College System districts. District boards have statutory authority to levy property taxes, provide for facilities and equipment, contract for instructional services, and appoint a district president who serves as chief executive officer for the district. The district president is responsible for local administration, including setting academic and grading standards, hiring instructional and other staff, and providing auxiliary services and budget management. Each district is governed by an appointed board composed of nine members who serve three-year staggered terms.
The Board Appointment Committee of Western Technical College has adopted a plan of representation which gives equal consideration to the general population distribution throughout the District as well as the distribution of women and minorities. The plan of representation also meets the requirements of Wisconsin Statute 38.08(1)(a) which states a District Board shall administer the district and shall be composed of nine members who are residents of the district and consist of: two employers, two employees, two additional members, one school district administrator as defined in s. 115.001(8), Stats., and one elected official who holds a state or local office as defined in s. 5.02, Stats., except for the office of party committeeman or party committeewoman.
Plan of Representation
Adopted April 3, 2008
AT-LARGE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT
| Type of Representation | Term Expires |
|---|---|
| Employee Member | 2009 |
| Employer Member | 2009 |
| School District Administration | 2009 |
| Additional Member | 2010 |
| Employee Member | 2010 |
| Employer Member | 2010 |
| Additional Member | 2011 |
| Additional Member | 2011 |
| Elected Official | 2011 |
There are four (4) important requirements all candidates must meet in order to be eligible for WTCS district board membership. They must:
1. Be residents of the technical college district in which they are applying for board membership;
2. Submit a properly completed application/affidavit that is received by the district board appointment committee within 14 days of the published announcement requesting applications;
3. Attend a district board appointment committee public hearing in person and be interviewed; and
4. Have at least two (2) written references submitted with the application/affidavit supporting their candidacy.
Board Member Category
1. Additional Member: All district residents are eligible to serve as an additional member.
2. Employer: Responsibility for exercising independent judgment in determining or effectively recommending any of the actions below for the business employees and receipt of earnings as payment for personal services will identify district residents as an eligible candidate for the Employer category. Representatives of labor organizations (officers or agents) are considered employees regardless of their responsibilities. Generally, public employees at or above the division administrator level are considered employers.
- Hire
- Transfer
- Suspend
- Lay off
- Discipline
- Adjust grievance
- Reward
- Promote
- Recall
- Discharge
- Assign
The form of the business organization that employs people; e.g., sole proprietorship, limited liability corporation, partnership, etc., is not conclusive in determining the status as an employer. Being actively engaged in business with a business license, state tax identification number, business listing in the phone directory, business cards and current employees are all supportive of determining the status of employer.
3. Employee: One who does not meet the definition of Employer, or who is an officer or agent of a labor organization. An employee receives earnings as payment for personal services and is employed in the district.
4. School District Administrator: Must be employed by a school board or a school district located within the WTCS district as defined by s. 115.01(3), Wis. Stats.
