Mikolainis And Craig Lead In Whitnall School Board Election

GREENFIELD, WI — Incumbent Karen Mikolainis and newcomer Jason Craig took the lead in the latest unofficial result totals for the Whitnall School Board.

Hales Corners, plus parts of Greenfield and Franklin were able to vote for who should serve on the Whitnall School Board. Four people were vying to fill two seats. Some municipal and county roles were also on Tuesday's ballot across the area.

Polls closed at 8 p.m., but if you got in line before that be sure to stay in line as you can still cast your ballot.

Defining issues at hand for the school board candidates ranged from how to confront academic achievement in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, learning losses from the pandemic, and how to retain quality staff.

Whitnall School Board Election Results

Unofficial results will be updated as they come in. Updated 9:23 p.m.

Steven Butz (incumbent): 1229

Jason Craig: 1360

Jon Cohn: 1033

Karen Mikolainis (incumbent): 1637

Some drama did come ahead of the election. In the week immediately before Tuesday's election, candidate and incumbent Karen Mikolainis faced the prospects of a censure from her colleagues on the board. Ultimately, the board did not vote on the matter, but a half-hour of rebukes filled that day's School Board meeting. Patch has a full report on that here.

At the center of the concerns from Mikolainis' colleagues were allegations about false information, which some members had claimed could put the district at risk. Mikolainis told Patch that she remains committed to student achievement in the district, despite what she called some other board members' "preoccupation with my individual speech."

Candidates Share Why They Want To Serve

The candidates come from every corner of the district's history. Each shared with Patch why they want to serve on the board:

Butz said it's important to continue working on transparency and the student achievement gaps the district has seen. Cohn said he hopes to continue to serve the community and ensure students are prepared for the future, while Craig said he wanted to have an opportunity to create a superior learning environment with the retainment of teachers and a return to high standards. Mikolainis said she wants to see students thrive and succeed in life, and hopes to help the district achieve academic excellence.

Candidates Discuss Academic Achievement, Learning Losses

Butz said test scores and internal assessments can direct interventions to improve learning that was lost from the pandemic, and said he supports the need for additional educators and further resources to address both issues.

Cohn, who would approach the board with experience as a fire chief, said the need to ensure students receive the best education is paramount, and hoped to achieve that through solid leadership.

Cohn said "Everyday, I lead and manage our members and our organization. Our organization has been agents of change and innovation despite critics... ...I understand the general oversight responsibilities of a Board member (do not micromanage) and want to bring this insight to the district."

Craig said he intends to examine work "on the edges." Craig said "Are the students that have special considerations being taught in a way that they are able to learn, process, and retain in a way that they can demonstrate mastery of the subject matter? Also, is there enough challenge to the gifted and talented students that they will still be captivated by topics that will ignite their curiosity and lead them to become captains in their fields of study?"

Mikolainis pointed to the past five years in the district where student proficiency declined and the average ACT fell below state averages.

Mikolainis said "I will push for detailed reports about our classroom-level improvement efforts. Our current early literacy curriculum is outdated. I recommend shifting to a science-based reading model with code-based, systematic, and explicit instruction that supports struggling readers and increases reading proficiency."

What Set The Candidates Apart

Candidates pointed to numerous differences that set them apart from the others.

Butz, an incumbent, said he has served as treasurer on the school board, and that his experience in the medical field has helped on the board's medical advisory committee.

Cohn pointed to the experience he has in leadership as a fire chief, and the oversight responsibilities and managing experience that has brought.

Craig says his experience in the private sector is what sets him apart. He says he learned how to balance performance to hit goals, limit dollars that may be at-risk, and grow customer satisfaction. Craig also pointed to his efforts to improve team dynamics and said he would bring those same skills to the board.

Craig said "I work well with others and will do my best to forge strong relationships with the community. I have high goals for proficiency, and I am good at working within the budget."

Mikolainis said she has a commitment to accountability and two-way communication, and that she is an independent thinker who asks questions. "I work for the residents of the Whitnall community," Mikolainis wrote.

Check out more responses from each candidate in the full profiles published by Patch:

Steven Butz: Patch Candidate Profile

Jon Cohn: Patch Candidate Profile

Jason Craig: Patch Candidate Profile

Karen Mikolainis: Patch Candidate Profile