Gary Jones Says Farewell to Elmbrook School Board; Brunner Sworn In

Gary Jones fought back tears Tuesday night as he gave personalized farewells to each Elmbrook School Board member, as well as adminstrators and staff, at his last School Board meeting.

Jones chose not to run for re-election to a second term and plans to increase his volunteerism with his local church's missions. Former Brookfield Ald. Richard Brunner was sworn in to take Jones' seat on the board. 

Fellow board members were moved by Jones' kind words and told him he would be missed. Board member Glen Allgaier was even more broken up than Jones, saying the two men have been friends for 24 years, attend the same church and were involved in Boy Scouts together.

Jones handled the cable television broadcasts of the School Board meetings prior to deciding to run for the board, and a nameplate honoring him was placed in the broadcast area.

Superintendent Matt Gibson wrote in a memo about Jones' farewell:  "I will remember Gary for his thorough reading of board policies, his sense of fairness and balance with both people and issues, and his ability to break down complex discussions to help with their understanding." 

Incumbent board members Tom Gehl and Kathryn Wilson also were sworn in to serve newly elected three-year terms. 

Final audited April 5 election results certified by the school district's Board of Canvassers were as follows:

Area I Seat

6,264 — Richard Brunner
5,940 — Ken Moe
100 — write-in votes

Area III Seat

10,855 — Tom Gehl
142 — write-in votes

At-Large Seat

6,814 — Kathryn Wilson
5,609 — Sandra Schultz
521 — Nancy Kormanik (official write-in candidate)
86 — write-in votes