Endorsements from community members

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 I have known Joe Bergner since 2008 while working with the School District of West De Pere as Superintendent. Mr. Bergner has served on the Board of Education since that time, and I have worked closely with him to ensure high standards and a “Vision of Pride and Excellence”.  

Mr. Bergner is a man of high integrity, exemplary work ethic, and driven passion. Throughout his tenure as President, Vise President, Treasurer and Secretary on the School District of West De Pere Board of Education, Mr. Bergner was instrumental in working with the administration and staff to guarantee sound fiscal management, rigorous curriculum standards and the hiring of high-quality staff. I have often relied on Mr. Bergner for input on issues involving our school district.  

Mr. Bergner is a very honest and forthright person. One of the greatest strengths is his ability to work effectively with people. His servant leadership exemplifies the characteristics of empathy and care and demonstrates a focused visionary approach. Even when issues become controversial or emotional, Mr. Bergner’s strong communication skills and team‑building approach help refocus discussions and guide the group toward consensus or a positive resolution.  

Mr. Bergner is a team player and gets along with other Board members, administrators and district staff. Being goal-orientated, Mr. Bergner is cognizant of process and procedures while respecting and listening to the ideas of others to arrive at the best possible result. His ability to thoroughly handle multiple tasks and to meet timelines is paramount and a formative part of his leadership.  

Mr. Bergner’s leadership and expertise make the School District of West De Pere a better place for students, staff and our community. I am a strong advocate of Mr. Bergner, and any organization will benefit from his leadership. 

 We have had the pleasure of knowing Joe Bergner and his family since 1997. He has been very active in the School District of West De Pere as a parent, coach, referendum committee volunteer, and school board member. He is often seen at school activities to support our students and staff. Joe is a positive, approachable person who enjoys observing our students and staff achieving their goals, experiencing success, and having fun. He also served as the President of the Fast Break Club basketball program. In service to his country, Joe served as a member of the United States Naval Reserve for 23 years.     

Joe has served the School District of West De Pere from 2008 to present. He has been the School District of West De Pere Board President, Vice President, Clerk, and Treasurer. He is a strong advocate for students who always has the best interest of young people on mind. Joe advocates "Kids First" in his initiatives. He also supports the staff and appreciates the value of quality educators and staff. Joe treats everyone with respect and encourages them to always do their best! His smile and positive attitude are an asset to the school district. He is fiscally responsible and has the interest of the taxpayers in mind, while responsibly creating and managing the budget. 

Joe's communication skills are outstanding. He is an excellent listener and is able to communicate effectively with community members. We have always respected his trustworthiness and loyalty to our learning organization.       

We are pleased to support Joe Bergner for the School District of West De Pere Board of Education. As former educators, we believe Joe is a quality board member. We are pleased to call him a friend and appreciate his commitment to our schools and community.  

I am pleased to recommend Joe Bergner for the school board. I have known Joe Bergner since 1997, when we managed separate youth basketball programs. From our first meeting, Joe Bergner demonstrated exceptional leadership by uniting our efforts and fostering a positive environment for all athletes. He consistently prioritized the development of confidence and skills in young people over competition, setting a standard for others to follow.  

A notable example of his leadership is his unwavering commitment to the youth program. Despite external pressures and even after his own children aged out, Joe Bergner continued to volunteer as a coach. His dedication inspired others and reflected his ability to lead by example, always putting the needs of the community first.  

In addition to his community leadership, Joe Bergner’s military service further illustrates his capacity to lead in challenging circumstances. When called upon during difficult times, he responded with courage and a sense of duty, embodying the qualities of a true leader.  

Furthermore, Joe Bergner played a pivotal role in organizing and structuring our youth basketball initiative. While others struggled with logistics, he took charge, developed clear plans, and executed them effectively. His ability to turn vision into action consistently delivered results and inspired confidence among his peers. 

For these reasons and more, I am confident that Joe Bergner will be an outstanding member of the school board. His proven leadership, dedication, and integrity make him exceptionally qualified for this role.  

 I am proud to support Joe Bergner for the West De Pere School Board.  

Joe is a person of strong moral character who serves our community with honor, integrity, and compassion. He listens carefully and thoughtfully to the concerns of parents, students, teachers, and staff, and he works diligently to represent their voices on the board without regard to politics. His focus is always on what is best for all students.  

With 15 years of experience serving on the West De Pere School Board, Joe brings deep institutional knowledge, steady leadership, and a clear understanding of how district decisions impact students, families, and staff. His experience allows him to ask informed, thoughtful, and sometimes tough questions to fully understand the challenges and opportunities facing our district so he can help drive meaningful, positive change.  

Joe consistently advocates for students, teachers, and staff, and he is willing to stand up to any individual or group if their ideas would negatively impact students or make anyone feel marginalized or excluded. He understands that education is not one-size-fits-all. He recognizes that there is rarely a single “right” answer and that thoughtful, balanced leadership is essential to meeting the diverse needs of our community.  

We need leaders we can trust — leaders who will stand up and do what is right for students, parents, teachers, staff, and the entire West De Pere community. Joe’s 15 years of service on the board, combined with his history of service to our country and our community, demonstrate his unwavering commitment to protecting and representing the needs and ideas of everyone in the district.  

Joe Bergner has proven he is worthy of continuing to serve our community, and I strongly encourage you to support him for the West De Pere School Board.