School Board, Village Trustee Seats Up for Election

Thursday marked the first day that residents can file for three School Board seats and two Village Board seats up for grabs in the April election.

Candidates are able to start circulating nomination papers Dec.1, and the papers are due Jan. 3 to get on the April 3 ballot. Incumbents who choose not to run must announce that decision by filing a declaration of non-candidacy by Dec. 27. If more than two people file for a seat, a primary election would be held Feb. 21.

The three School Board seats available currently belong to board President Kathy Rogers, and board members Pamela Woodard and Gerry Steele. School Board terms are three years long. The salary for president is $1,250, and the salary for a member is $1,200.

Rogers, who has served one term, filed her re-election papers Thursday. She and her husband have lived in Whitefish Bay since 1993 and have one son, who attends Whitefish Bay High School.

“The public schools are an anchor of our community,” she said in a written announcement. “The School Board has supported a broad-based curriculum that prepares our students well.  Our district’s reputation for excellence continues to attract new families to Whitefish Bay.”

In addition to hiring a new superintendent and overseeing the referendum and its construction, Rogers said the board has also increased outreach to the community, noting initiatives in improving district communications as well as long-range planning.

“I am committed to preserving the high quality of our schools, and to continuing to find ways to better meet the needs of each of our students,” she added.

Woodard said she will make a decision soon, and Steele did not respond to an e-mail asking whether she will run again.

Anne Berleman Kearney, who ran in the , also filed her papers this morning for the April 3 election, saying she will offer a new voice to the board.

Kearney, an attorney, is the principal of , an Adjunct Professor at Marquette University Law School and a Vice President of the Board of Directors for Rosalie Manor. She and her husband Joseph have two children enrolled in the school district.

"We must balance continuity with fresh perspectives when considering and acting upon the many educational issues that affect parents, children, and, indeed, all citizens in our community," she stated in an announcement. "My background in law and finance provides deep experience in analyzing relevant issues, resolving conflicts, and forging compromise; I will put all this to work as a School Board member. I also look forward to using my skills as an attorney to facilitate communication with the community about School Board issues and actions."

Two Village Board seats are available, with trustees Kevin Buckley and Richard Foster's terms coming to an end. Village Board seats are three-year terms, and the salary is $600 per year.

Foster said he plans to run again, and Buckley said he will make a decision soon.

This story was last updated at 10 p.m. Thursday.