Connecting the Elmbrook Schools Community INSIDE THIS EDITION: • Board of Education Candidate Profiles • 4K Class Sets High Expectations • Swim State Champions • Brookfield Girls Make WI Sports History • Student Earns Technical Diploma • Board Approves Capital Projects • Career Fair • Become What’s Next
ELMBROOK’S FIRST 4K CLASS SETS HIGH EXPECTATIONS Elmbrook’s five elementary schools welcomed 397 four-year-old Kindergarten (4K) students to school in September, launching the District’s latest program offering! Students participating in this half-day program build early reading and math skills, and critical social skills necessary for future success. Elmbrook’s 4K program is free to any community resident who is 4 years old before September 1st, and includes transportation. Wraparound care is available for those families who need child care before or after school, and enrollment for the 2022-23 school year is now open. To learn more about the 4K program, visit elmbrookschools.org/4K.
SEASON GOES SWIMMINGLY FOR EAST & CENTRAL During the 2021-22 school year, the Brookfield East Girls & the Brookfield Barracudas Boys (BCHS/BEHS co-op team) Swim and Dive teams became WIAA State Champions! In November, the Brookfield East Girls Swimming and Diving Team won their third straight D1 state championship. The girls won a total of nine events and swept all three relays, breaking five state records in the process. In February, the Brookfield Barracuda Boys team took home the D1 title. The win marked a historic first for a combined program with students from both Brookfield Central and Brookfield East competing. Congratulations to both teams on their incredible seasons!
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INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
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WIAA RECORDS
BOARD OF EDUCATION CANDIDATE PROFILES
Four candidates are vying for two seats on the School District of Elmbrook’s Board of Education. Because Board members represent the entire District, all residents can select one candidate for each seat in the spring election on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Each candidate was asked to respond to the following two questions and their answers are included as they were submitted to the District. The views and opinions expressed in these profiles are those of the candidates and may not necessarily reflect the official Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. position of the School District of Elmbrook.
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Why have you chosen to seek election to the Elmbrook Board of Education?
AT-LARGE KATIE RASOUL | AT-LARGE
14560 Beechwood Avenue • Brookfield, WI 53005 katieforelmbrook@gmail.com
What experience do you have that will help you best represent the Elmbrook electorate?
Years of District Residency: 8 years Education: MBA, University of Wisconsin Consortium (2013); BBA in Finance and BA in French (Magna Cum Laude), University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (2006); Certifications: Certified Professional Coach (CPC), Associate Certified Coach (ACC), and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Current Profession: Leadership Coach, Keynote Speaker and CEO/Founder of Team Awesome
AREA II KATHY LIM | AREA II
20750 Chadwick Lane • Brookfield WI 53045 KathyLimforElmbrookSchools@gmail.com Years of District Residency: 3.5 years Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) 1995 - University of Illinis at Chicago; Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Executive Leadership-2015 -Benedictine University; Certified Nursing periOperating Room (CNOR) Current Profession: Director of Operations-Surgical Services- last position held through 2021, Registered Nurse
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My family moved from the Chicago area a few years ago, after witnessing a significant decline in educational standards. Our research pointed us to Elmbrook as having the strong academic foundation that we desired. With the recent downturn in performance within Elmbrook over the past few years, I am seeing similar methods unfold here. I am seeking election to recalibrate our focus back on the strong academic standards the district was known for.
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As a nurse and a mother, I bring empathy and strong clinical expertise as we attempt to implement best practice and simplified health protocols. As a Director of Operations for a $2.5B hospital system with 350 people reporting to me, I provide unique and valuable experience. I led initiatives that improved staff retention and engagement achieving top tier rating, which will help as the district attempts to retain and recruit the best teachers. I led major software upgrades, which will help as the district navigates the digital age. I bring proven visionary leadership with practical solutions, achieved through collaboration and peer accountability.
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I am running for school board to help realize a proactive, future-oriented vision for our students. In addition to maintaining Elmbrook’s best-in-class strengths like academic excellence and fiscal responsibility, I believe we can be top-tier in these areas: Culture of Belonging: Every student and staff member feels safe, seen and able to bring their whole self to school. Student and Staff Well-Being: Staff and students have support for physical, social and emotional well-being. Well-Rounded Readiness: Academics, the arts and co-curricular/readiness programs are key for success after graduation.
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As a leadership coach and team culture advisor I have led leadership, Organizational Development and Human Resources best practices for over fifteen years. In the community, I have served TEMPO Milwaukee as a Co-Leader for the Emerging Women Leaders group and on Diversity & Inclusion and Mentoring committees as well as serving the Elmbrook district as a LAUNCH program mentor and Elmbrook Education Foundation board member.
LINDA BOUCHER | AT-LARGE INCUMBENT 2340 Kevenauer Drive • Brookfield, WI 53005 peterpagonis@att.net
Years of District Residency: 1990 Education: BSE -Bachelor of Science in Education -Dual major Elementary Education And Special Education K-12 (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater); MSE- Master of Science in Education (University of Wisconsin- Whitewater); Held a principal license and director of Special Education License. PHd level courses in curriculum and instruction
DANIEL MEDEIROS | AREA II 20530 Chadwick Lane • Brookfield, WI 53045 dawime@gmail.com
Years of District Residency: 4.5 years Education: MSEE Electrical Engineering 2010, BSEE 1998 both from the University of Maryland at College Park Current Profession: Chief Engineer at Milwaukee Tool
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I am seeking candidacy to ensure our children have a safe, nurturing environment that is conducive of learning. I am in favor of supporting policies that improve academic excellence and provide a well rounded education for our kids.
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I have been involved with tutoring 3rd and 4th grade students when I lived in Maryland for over 10 years. In Elmbrook, I am a LAUNCH program coach and champion at Milwaukee tool, supporting our High school students to get prepared for working in a corporate setting.
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I am running for re-election to maintain a common sense voice of reason.Parent's desires and concerns on how to best educate their children in a safe and secure environment should be our guide post. Many people do not realize that Elmbrook scores in reading and math have been on a downward trajectory since 2012. It is essential right now to focus on academics and increase achievement in reading, language arts and classic education. The administration needs strong board led direction and accountability to reverse this while we still can. Our community has asked us to educate the children, leave divisive politics at the door and leave morality choices in their homes. It is time to deliver on those requirements.
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Lifelong K-12 reading & special ed. teacher, the only teacher on the board. I stood firmly for fair access to education, and accountability. I built relationships with parents, made decisions independently and respected and valued their position to know what is best for their children. Parents appreciate my response to their concerns.
BROOKFIELD GIRLS MAKE WISCONSIN SPORTS HISTORY On January 29, the first-ever WIAA Girls State Wrestling Championship was held in La Crosse. BCHS Senior, Marisa Roth, became the first-ever 138-pound WIAA Champion - pinning her way through the entire tournament, and BEHS Sophomore Lily Becker brought home the bronze medal in the 114-pound class! Though this is the first ever WIAA State Championship, Marisa has been wrestling for years and has given back to the sport as an official, coach and mentor to girls in the area. This year, Roth again went undefeated, and she only had four points scored against her for the entirety of the season. “Marisa made history and did so with an exclamation point!” reflected Coach Chris Demos. “Her achievement at this meet provided inspiration for many to pursue opportunities that weren't even possible when she started as a freshman.”
BCHS STUDENT COMPLETES TECHNICAL DIPLOMA DURING TIME AT ELMBROOK
BOARD APPROVES CAPITAL PROJECTS
2022 Brookfield Central graduate, Danny Gibson, completed his Technical Diploma and set a path towards his Associates Degree at WCTC. During his time at BCHS. Gibson took advantage of the Start College Now Program and in December 2020 he was able to receive his certificate in Automotive Basics from WCTC, followed by a Technical Diploma in Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair in May 2021. Danny will complete his Associates Degree in Automotive Technology this Spring through the program while also holding a position at Heiser Toyota and Valvoline. The Start College Now program helped reduce Gibson’s time and cost to a degree, where he completed 41 total credits while still in high school. This year, Danny also made the National Technical Honor Society for his work. Current sophomores or juniors can apply to WCTC directly to start a program next Fall. The new EXCELerate program provides students with even greater access to opportunities at WCTC. More information is available at wctc.edu/excelerate.
In February, the Board of Education approved an amount of $2.6 million for capital projects including renovations to Brookfield Central’s Pool, Pool Locker Rooms, Library, and the Burleigh Tennis Courts. This recent approval marks a grand total of nearly $50 million in capital projects that the District has been able to implement since 2014 without going to a referendum. Further highlighting the District’s approach to both financial sustainability and fiscal responsibility, Moody's Investors Service has maintained the Aaa Bond rating on the District's outstanding general obligation debt. This is the highest rating given by Moody’s and Elmbrook is one of only three school districts in the state to earn this status.
ELMBROOK SCHOOLS JOB FAIR 3:00-6:00pm | Tuesday, March 29, 2022 Elmbrook School District | 3555 N Calhoun Road | Brookfield, WI 53005
Custodial | Food Service | Playground/Lunchroom | Supervisors | Tutors Come to our District Office to learn more about our open positions, chat with current staff, and even apply in-person. For more details or to apply online visit elmbrookschools.org/careers
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MILWAUKEE, WI Permit No. 5654 3555 North Calhoun Road Brookfield, WI 53005 262.781.3030
BECOME WHAT’S NEXT
STEM LEADERS FTC Robotics team (The GEarheads) collects 79 used devices to donate to surrounding resource-challenged communities.
ACTION! The first-ever Elmbrook 3-Minute Film Festival was hosted at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center. The event spotlighted student creativity and was made possible by Dan Pronley.
HELPING OUR COMMUNITY 22 FINALISTS Fairview South & Project STRIVE Elmbrook has a total of 22 National Merit Scholarship Finalists for 21-22 (BC: 10, BE: 12). students collect winter clothing Recognition for this achievement is based on a student's performance on the PSAT exam and rank among the best in Wisconsin and the United States. articles for those in need.