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Schools

School Board Candidate Piskulich Views District With Pride

He is one of five candidates seeking three seats on the Rochester Board of Education.

"I've always respected public schools," said Pat Piskulich, one of five candidates vying Nov. 8 for three six-year terms on the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education.

His opponents are Tom Malysz, Jeremy Nielson, Jane Pierobon and Beth Talbert. This week, Rochester Patch will profile all of the candidates in preparation for the

Professor, school volunteer

In fact, Piskulich said his entire family values public education: his grandfather was a long-time superintendent of schools in Missouri, his mother was a teacher and principal and his sister is a kindergarten teacher.

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Piskulich, 52, told Rochester Patch that the idea to serve on the Board of Education in Rochester had "been on the radar" for a while. Now that he and his wife, Michelle, are empty nesters with their son, Zeke, away at the University of Missouri, the time is right, he said.

Piskulich has volunteered as a music booster, chaperone and coach. He couldn't conceal the pride he felt as he explained his son is a fourth-generation Missouri Tiger.

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Piskulich has been a member of the Rochester community for more than 20 years; he is a professor at Oakland University. He feels his background in political science and public policy analysis, which he teaches at OU, could serve the community well.  

Tough choices ahead

Piskulich recognizes that the community has a lot of pride in education and he wants to help ensure that continues. 

As the district faces uncertain state funding, the board will be making a series of hard choices, says Piskulich. If elected, he will look to the public for input in making these choices.  

"A lot of people want to see some teachers lay some skin on the table," said Piskulich, who is also interested in linking teacher compensation to performance. The challenge, he disussed, will be finding a fair and reasonable means to implement teacher merit pay.  

Piskulich's son attended elementary and middle school in Rochester and attended high school at International Academy. Piskulich is enthusiatic about getting out to each of the local high schools to learn more about them.

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