Michael R. Olinger - Candidate for Director at Large - Alburnett Community School District
My name is Mike Olinger. I live near Lafayette with my wife, Corey (Duvel), and our three sons.
I was born and raised in the Alburnett Community School District. I'm part of 5 generations of Olingers who have called the Toddville/Alburnett area home and have walked the halls of our schools over the past 100 years. Corey and I are both graduates of Alburnett and our sons are very active in school here, keeping busy with academics, sports, and music.
I received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Northern Iowa and am also a magna-***-laude graduate of the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
I have worked for 15 years at Murdoch Funeral Home, where I'm a licensed Funeral Director. I maintain professional memberships in both the National and Iowa Funeral Directors Associations.
I currently serve as a board member for the Alburnett Community School District Foundation. I've worked hard to establish the Foundation's PILLARS Scholarship Program, which I chair and coordinate annually.
I'm also very proud of helping to create and build the Alburnett Youth Football program, where I volunteer as a coach.
In addition, I'm involved in the Sports Boosters and help volunteer building sets for the high school music department.
I'd like the opportunity to continue to my serve my community as a school board member. I want to see practical advances in our school and to see the quality of our school district continue to improve.
Accountability is the key to success in any organization. I will insist on support and acclaim for those who excel at their job and will seek answers from those who do not.
Being affiliated with a “pro” or a “con” group would be unproductive for a candidate in our district. We need a candidate who stands up for what is best for our school and community at large, but is able to have open dialogue and to bring people together to make much needed decisions and changes.
I have always "bled purple and gold" and will do my best to make common sense decisions if elected.
I value our community's trust and would greatly appreciate your vote on September 11th!