Whitnall Scribe Board candidate forum features four contenders seeking school board seats

The Whitnall School Board Candidate Forum took place on March 19, 2025, at Whitnall High School, moderated by Kay Vance. The event was organized by the Whitnall High School Student Council and supported by volunteers from the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement among students.

Vance opened the forum by highlighting the role of the League of Women Voters as a nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting informed participation in government. She reminded attendees that Election Day is set for April 1, with in-person voting starting on March 19 and running through March 28. Voters can also request absentee ballots online at myvote.WI.gov. Vance encouraged the audience to utilize resources such as vote411.org for candidate information and job descriptions of elected officers.

The forum featured four candidates vying for two available seats on the school board: Jason Craig, Alicia Shaw, Karen Mikko Linus, and Joseph Herkman. Each candidate was allotted 90 seconds for an opening statement, followed by a question-and-answer segment where each candidate would respond to questions within a 90-second timeframe. The order of responses was determined by a random draw, and the candidates agreed to be addressed by their first names.

Vance set clear guidelines for the forum, requesting that the audience refrain from cheering or other demonstrations to maintain a respectful environment. She also noted that the forum would be recorded and made available on the Whitnall District channel on YouTube.

As the forum progressed, candidates began with their opening statements, sharing their motivations for running for the school board and outlining their visions for the district. The structured format aimed to ensure that all candidates had equal opportunities to present their views and respond to audience inquiries.

The event underscored the significance of local elections and the role of community engagement in shaping educational policies. The forum concluded with closing remarks from each candidate, allowing them to summarize their positions and appeal to voters ahead of the upcoming election.