Incumbents face challenger in School Board race

Three people are seeking two seats on the Grafton School Board in the April 2 general election.

Incumbents Jerry Rossi and Shawn Taylor are being challenged by Gerry Staggenborg.

Staggenborg, 72, is an arts educator at the Overture Center in Madison. He didn’t respond to an interview request by Ozaukee Press but said on the school district website that his experience as an educator in the U.S. and Europe, where he taught middle school through university graduate seminars, has provided him the necessary background to be a successful member of the Grafton School Board. Staggenborg said he’s served on urban school boards and as a union representative for teachers.

Staggenborg said that “in this transitional time of growing parental involvement in all phases of education, I see an opening for an educator with a deep foundation in two worlds, that of the instructional institution and that of the public world.

“My Ph.D. in communications allows me special skills in interfacing between these two worlds and, I believe, will ingrain me more in the workings of my community.”

Staggenborg, who has lived in the district for 11 years and has five grandchildren, said board members must be seen in the community.

“Each representative must not only act as a sounding board but also, having derived a consensus of public opinion, as a communicator of that consensus to all interested parties in sufficient enough time to allow for feedback before the board takes any significant action,” he said.

“I also believe that a school board member must be sufficiently steeped in all aspects of education and administration that before they solicit public opinion, they can communicate the present educational context intelligently to all those interested.”

Rossi, 49, has been on the board since he was appointed in 2017. He likes the position the district is in.

“We’ve got the lowest mill rate in at least 30 years, and metrics for achievement are the highest they’ve ever been,” he said.

“It doesn’t hurt to be on the board while we’ve turned into a top-10 school district in the state. I’m one of seven (board members) and we have great administration.”

The district is growing in enrollment and its two elementary schools have become overcrowded. Rossi supports the $11.1 million referendum to expand John Long Middle School and move fifth-graders there from Kennedy and Woodview elementary schools.

“I feel like we’re in a fortunate position to be one of the very few districts in the state that’s actually growing. It’s a good problem to have. It seems like the best solution,” he said.

When enrollment increases, so does the district’s revenue, but state funding is not keeping up with inflation. Rossi said the district’s options are limited.

“We cannot have less staff if we’re growing,” he  said.

“We’re in a good spot, certainly, relative to most districts financially. How long we can sustain that is the question.”

Rossi has three children who attend district schools. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and is vice president of territory sales at American Century Investments. School finance, however, is a different animal.”

“I have an investment background but anybody who knows school finance — there’s nothing that prepares you for that,” he said.

Taylor, 50, is a teacher at Bader Hillel Academy in Milwaukee. She holds a master’s degree in teaching and learning and has been on the board since being elected in 2021. Two of her children recently graduated from Grafton High School and a third attends the high school.

“My 15 years as a resident and parent in the Grafton School District, coupled with my experience as an educator, has given me a deep understanding of the diverse needs and perspectives in our community,” Taylor said.

“During my time, I have attended and been prepared for every meeting with an open mind to work together to accomplish goals and tackle issues that arise in our district. I am proud of what I have contributed during my time on the board as our district continues to see improved student achievement, low teacher turnover, and reduced mill rates.”

She supports the referendum “as a long-term solution to our growing enrollment.”

Taylor said she is confident in district leadership to weather the economic challenges.

“We have a highly qualified business manager and administrative team to help guide the finances in our district,” she said.

“I believe the board is committed to common sense strategies for mitigating the negative impacts that come with low state funding in the midst of rising costs.”

Taylor said she brings a teamwork approach to the board.

“My core belief lies in the power of collaboration. I believe that by working together, the board, administration, teachers and parents can create a thriving school environment where students flourish, staff feel valued and resources are used wisely.”