By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!
MARSHFIELD, Wis. — School board candidate Dominic Pernsteiner said his campaign is focused on strengthening early education, improving accountability and increasing transparency between the Marshfield School District and the community.
Pernsteiner shared his views during an appearance on the local program “Get to Know,” produced by Marshfield Broadcasting.
A Marshfield native and 2000 graduate of Marshfield Senior High School, Pernsteiner said his decision to run was influenced by his professional background and his family’s experience in the district. He and his wife returned to Marshfield after college to raise their children, who currently attend district schools.
He said his son’s early academic challenges, later identified as dyslexia and ADHD, prompted him to review district performance and student support systems more closely.
“That experience made me take a hard look at what we’re doing and how decisions affect students, teachers and families,” Pernsteiner said.
Pernsteiner works in a leadership role at Rail Transport, where he oversees regional operations. He said the analytical and data-driven approach he uses in his career would guide his work on the school board.
A key part of his platform is strengthening foundational learning in kindergarten through third grade. Pernsteiner called for a review of curriculum practices and questioned the level of technology use for younger students, suggesting traditional skill-building methods may be more effective during early learning years.
He also expressed concern about support levels for students with learning differences, citing estimates for dyslexia, ADHD and autism spectrum conditions and suggesting the district may not have sufficient resources to meet those needs.
During the interview, Pernsteiner referenced district performance data, noting that several elementary schools outperform state averages in math and reading proficiency. He attributed those outcomes to staff collaboration and accountability at the school level.
At the same time, he raised concerns about lower math proficiency at the middle and high school levels, which he linked to pandemic-related disruptions and what he described as a lack of a clear recovery plan.
Pernsteiner emphasized that he does not attribute those outcomes to teachers, but to administrative and leadership decisions.
He also discussed enrollment trends and district finances, pointing to a difference in student numbers between early grade levels and high school. He said the district could face funding challenges in future years as smaller classes move through the system.
Pernsteiner noted that students leaving the district through open enrollment create additional financial pressures and said the district should seek to understand why families are choosing other schools.
He suggested that long-term planning options, including boundary adjustments or collaboration with neighboring districts, may need to be considered.
Throughout the interview, Pernsteiner described the school board’s primary role as serving as a bridge between the community and district leadership. He said transparency, accountability and open communication would be central to his approach if elected.
The interview was part of an ongoing candidate information series produced by Marshfield Broadcasting, which does not endorse candidates or political parties.