By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
Serving on the Common Council or the School Board is a great way to learn about the community, to express one’s views, and to make a significant contribution to the greater Whitewater community. While the financial compensation is moderate, the intrinsic benefits can be many.
The following seats on the Common Council will be up for election on April 2, 2024:
Aldermanic District 2 (Wards 9 & 10) – Currently held by Lukas Schreiber
Aldermanic District 4 (Wards 6, 7 & 8) – Currently held by Jill Gerber
Council Member at Large – Currently held by James D. Allen
This map shows the voting wards.
Persons who may be interested in being a candidate may wish to review the publication, How to Run for Local Elected Office in Wisconsin, published by UW Extension and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Councilmembers are expected to prepare for and regularly attend council meetings, which are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. In addition they serve on a variety of committees, many of which meet on a monthly basis. Members have a two-year term. There is a salary of $300 per month.
Nomination papers may be obtained beginning on December 1 from the City Clerk, Karri Anderberg, whose office is on the second floor of the Municipal Building at 312 W. Whitewater Street. Her phone number is 262-473-0102; email is cityclerk@whitewater-wi.gov. Her office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Candidates for a district position must obtain at least 20 signatures; for the at large position, at least 50 signatures are submitted. Papers must be submitted no later than January 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. If more than two candidates file for a seat, there will be a primary on February 20.
Two seats on the Whitewater Unified School District School Board will be up for election on April 2, 2024. If there are more than four candidates, a primary will be held on February 20. The seats are currently held by the following:
Larry Kachel
Maryann Zimmerman
Persons who may be interested in being a candidate may wish to review the publication, How to Run for Local Elected Office in Wisconsin, published by UW Extension and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. Board members are expected to prepare for and regularly attend monthly board meetings, which are normally scheduled on the fourth Monday of each month with the following exceptions: December and March (third Monday) and August (second and fourth Monday). In the event that Memorial Day falls on the fourth Monday of May, the regular meeting in May will be held on the Tuesday following Memorial Day.” In addition members serve on a variety of committees. The meetings convene at 7:00 p.m., although sometimes earlier for a closed session. Members are paid $15 per meeting unless they file an annual refusal of salary. Members serve a three year term.
Nomination papers are not required for the board, but some forms must be completed by the candidate.. Interested persons should contact the School Board Secretary, Jaclyn Tueting, who works in the District Office, 419 S. Elizabeth Street. Her phone number is 262-472-8702, and her email, jtueting@wwusd.org. Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. Candidates must file by January 2, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Per the district, for up-to-date information, please check out the School Board Election website: https://whitewaterusdwi.sites.thrillshare.com/page/school-board-election
The following press release was issued by the district:
WHITEWATER, WI – Residents of the Whitewater Unified School District are encouraged to consider seeking a position on the School Board. The final day for filing is Tuesday, January 2, 2024, by 5:00 p.m.
Two seats will be on the spring ballot. The incumbents are Larry Kachel and Maryann Zimmerman. Incumbents have until Friday, December 22, by 5:00 p.m. to file their Notification of Noncandidacy. Under section 120.06(6)(b)3m of state statutes, the District Clerk will give the public prompt notice if any incumbent files their Notification of Noncandidacy on the School Board Election page of the District website.
Any person who is a United States citizen and a qualified elector of the Whitewater Unified School District is legally qualified to become a member of the School Board. In addition, Board candidates should have a genuine interest in and devotion to public education, a willingness to give time and effort to the position, a capacity to understand people, and the ability to work cooperatively with others. The School Board is the District policy-making authority and is responsible to the public for the success of all education services offered by the District. This success is dependent on many individuals, but also upon each Board member’s understanding of the workings of the District-wide operations and each member’s ability to participate meaningfully in the decision-making process that governs the District.
The candidate filing documents may be obtained and filed at the office of the School Board Secretary at the Whitewater Unified School District Central Office, 419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater. School Board candidates do not circulate nomination papers, but the School Board Secretary, Jaclyn Tueting, will assist to complete necessary filing documents.
CENTRAL OFFICE HOURS
Through Wednesday, December 20
M-Th, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m./ F, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 21 through Monday, January 1 – The Central Office is Closed
Tuesday, January 2
7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. is the deadline for filing candidacy paperwork)
