District considers ending polling places in schools

Voting in Grafton public schools could come to an end after this year.

Through responses to a survey, parents asked the school district to eliminate voting in schools, and the School Board discussed potential changes Monday.

Supt. Jeff Nelson said John Long Middle School is the only school facility used for voting, and Grafton is the only district in Ozaukee County that hosts polls. 

Many school districts have decided not to allow voting in schools due to security concerns.

The consensus of the board was to either have no students in school during voting or eliminate voting at district facilities. 

Nelson said he is talking to Village Administrator Jesse Thyes about the issue. 

“We want to work with the village and at the same time keep student security at the forefront,” Nelson said. 

This year, voting will still take place at the middle school for the Feb. 19 and April 2 elections.

Nelson said if the board decides to allow voting on days when classes are not in session, it could extend the school year into the summer. 

Last year, the district received an $83,000 state school safety grant to update the security system and install safety glass at all school entrances. 

The district also implemented software at school entrances to provide background screenings of visitors.