Jeff Fimreite
2/27/26
This week, I was invited to attend a Wisconsin Towns Association Meeting hosted by the Town of Campbell. It was great talking to town supervisions fron all over the county, and learn more about the great things happening and how I can support this good work if elected. It also had the opportunity to talk about the work being done to preserve Lake Onalaska. I am also grateful for the conversations whether on doorsteps, community events, and kitchen tables. Two questions come up often:
- What experience do you have with policy and boards?
- How would you support the thousands of employees who make our county exceptional?
Both are important , and they deserve thoughtful answers.
I have always believed in stewardship. My father was a conservationist and active in local government, and he taught me early on the importance of listening, serving, and bringing people together. That foundation has guided my entire career.
I believe in common-sense solutions that unite us as a community. What makes our communities strong, and our nation strong, is our ability to work together for the common good.
Over the years, I have been deeply involved in community service organizations, including Rotary (where I served as Club President), the Knights of Columbus, and the Lions Club.
Professionally, I have attended and ran hundreds of board meetings as a school administrator. Early in my career, I was elected to the Onalaska School Board, and a central Wisconsin town board. I understand how policy is developed, debated, and implemented, and how critical it is to approach that work collaboratively, transparently, and with long-term thinking.
When it comes to supporting employees, my philosophy is simple: hardworking people deserve a fair wage and a positive, healthy workplace culture, especially when they provide essential community services.
Throughout my leadership career, I have seen that when you take care of your employees, they take care of the people they serve and they thrive in a positive culture. In education, that meant students. In county government, that means residents. A strong workforce builds a strong and safe community.
I began my professional journey as a clinical social worker. I then served as an elementary school counselor before being promoted through the ranks to principal and Superintendent of Schools. I have been described as a transformational leader, someone who strengthens organizational performance while also investing in the growth and well-being of the people within it in a fiscally responsible way. Just a short while ago, I was honored to be recommended by my staff and given the Wisconsin School Leadership Award for outstanding service in the state.
To me, leadership is about helping people move from simply meeting expectations to confidently exceeding them.
Mental health has always been a passion of mine. Throughout my career, I have brought in training and experts to help staff better understand trauma and support individuals facing significant challenges. A few years ago, I was honored to be selected to participate in a mental health awareness video produced by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the only superintendent in the state of Wisconsin at that time. I firmly believe early intervention and education are key to helping both young people and adults navigate difficult and traumatic experiences successfully.
I am also frequently asked about finances. As a superintendent, I managed multi-million-dollar budgets and viewed transparency and accountability as non-negotiable. Running more that just a balanced budgets, but also building up the districts rainy day fund by putting money into fund balance, focusing on local needs rather than national political noise, and keeping students and staff at the center of decisions allowed us to successfully navigate the COVID pandemic, while still increasing student achievement and keeping our schools open.
Fiscal responsibility and people-centered leadership are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they must go hand in hand.
I am grateful for the continued conversations and encourage residents to keep asking questions. I am running for County Board because I believe in giving back to a system that has given so much to me.
For me, this campaign is about stewardship, public service, and building strong systems that serve people well. If elected, I will bring experienced leadership and proven stewardship to the role, along with the same thoughtful collaboration and results-driven focus that have defined my work as a school administrator and community servant.
Thank you for your time reading this!
Jeff
To learn more about my candidacy for La Crosse County Board of Supervisors, District 21, please visit https://www.jeff-fimreite-for-county-board-of-supervisors.com/. You can also follow my campaign on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584393553957.
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