It is never too early to start considering elections and campaigning for public service, and Loreen Gage of Cottage Grove feels the same with her recent announcement that she is running for Dane County Board of Supervisors District #36 in the spring of 2024.
Gage came to Cottage Grove around five years ago after working in Milwaukee Public Schools as a special education teacher for a decade while also working in the social services field closely with housing. Housing Initiatives in Madison is the organization that Gage came to the area to work with, and upon relocating with her three children, she soon saw a call in the local newspaper that there was an open position on the Monona Grove School Board.
“Basically, I have been serving as school board president for close to three years. It’s been a great experience, I love it. I love that I’m able to support the community, teachers, students, and make a really big impact. I really feel that my biggest impact has been in diversity and students with disabilities,” Gage, who is currently an educator at One City Schools with extensive experience in the special education field, told Madison365.
“That experience of social services, education, and affordable housing has brought me to the point of thinking I can lead my community on the Dane County Board. Using that experience and background knowledge, I think would make me a strong candidate.”
Gage’s engagement while on the board drove her colleagues to elect her to the president position, especially after her displayed leadership in bringing the community together after the murder of George Floyd. From experiences working with Movin’ Out, Inc. in Madison as well, Gage knows how impactful housing needs are in the community, and sees those needs as well as others extended to students in her district after the events of the past few years.
“Especially in working with them, I see that our students are impacted tremendously by mental health, and I think COVID had a lot to do with that,” said Gage. “Making sure that we have enough services in place to support our young people and any person that needs those services is a big focus. The other piece is affordable housing. I think that’s a big need in our community. I think housing is very expensive for a lot of people, and ensuring that everyone has access to affordable housing is crucial.”
Gage is no stranger to taking the initiative to improve conditions for those she sees in need of help. From connecting with a library group to come provide services for the area she would be serving as Supervisor for District #36, to working with the local police department to address safety concerns in community, as well as pushing for Parks and Rec Department activities to be more accessible for youth in the community, Gage was positive that her own experience taking action on the wants of Cottage Grove residents starts in the same place every time, listening.
“That piece of hearing from the residents,” Gage answered. “We did a forum with residents and asked, ‘What can we do to make this a more safe and more habitable place for you?’ I think those types of things are important … really listening to the people that are residing there. Not just building a building that looks nice, but making sure that there’s adequate resources for individuals that are struggling.”
Gage reflected on her time so far as school board president with Monona Grove, and gave appreciation for the opportunity to do good work for the community, as well as appreciation for the community’s support in her role. Expressing how the Cottage Grove area has shaped her and her children’s lives, Gage is looking forward to giving back through an approach that prioritizes the people she serves and following through on her word.
“I think it’s important for people to know who’s advocating on their behalf,” Gage said in closing. “I think it’s important that they know that they have a leader that is listening to their needs and concerns and bringing that back to the Board. It’s important that they have a leader that’s dependable, provides advocacy as the biggest piece, and is a sounding board for the community. The community knows that that leader has their back and supports them in their needs.”
