Wendy Wojtanowicz ready for full term on School District’s Board of Directors

Running unopposed is a relief, she says

Nate Hulings

of the Gateway

Wendy Wojtanowicz is running unopposed for the District 2 seat on the Peninsula School District’s Board of Directors.

Wojtanowicz ran in the 2007 general election on a two-year term and is looking forward to not having to campaign this time around.

As a mother of four girls, three of whom are current students in the district, Wojtanowicz has three goals: the school district’s budget, middle school sports and intramural opportunities.

The district recently slashed $5.25 million from its budget, which led to cuts that Wojtanowicz said were tough.

“It was very hard emotionally,” she said. “There were people coming to a board meeting, pleading for their job. You know any decision you make is affecting someone’s life.”

Wojtanowicz said recent budget woes have been a wakeup call to get her more involved in state legislative affairs.

But some positive aspects of the district have emerged with the recent budget crisis, she said.

“We’re really down to barebones spending,” she said. “Every penny is going to the students’ benefit.”

Wojtanowicz also has seen staff come together to save positions by giving up vacation time.

In her next term, Wojtanowicz would like to see a return to fully funded middle school sports. The district recently cut back on middle school sports programs to help balance its budget.

“It was really sad to make the cuts we did,” Wojtanowicz said.

Middle school sports are a good alternative to club sports that often require higher talent levels and are more expensive, she said.

Wojtanowicz also would like to see extra-curricular activities for students who want to continue to stay active.

Another aspect she’s excited about is that she’s been through the learning curve of her first few years on the board.

“I feel this last year, I’ve been able to participate and give some good input on different things,” she said. “I have a pretty good handle on how things work with the district.”

Wojtanowicz and her husband Joel have been married for 22 years and have lived in the area for 19 years. Wojtanowicz works for Scholastic in the book fair division, promoting reading and literacy.

The Wojtanowicz family always has been a big fan of pets, and they recently took a walk on the wild side, bringing a wallaby into the mix.

Mia the wallaby is almost 1. Wojtanowicz said the pet was a promise kept from eight years ago when the family owned a pet store.

She said the marsupial is a great pet and is very loving.

“If someone can’t decide between a cat and dog, get a wallaby,” she said.

Wojtanowicz also enjoys gardening and taking care of her Great Dane puppy.