Community, teachers honor Preble alumnus Alex Preddy at school board meeting

Dozens of residents and former teachers used the Green Bay Area Public School District board’s public forum to remember Alex Preddy, a 2006 Preble High School graduate, calling him “kindness incarnate” and praising his mentorship, music leadership and service to veterans.

Carol Miller, who taught at Preble for about 20 years, said Preddy "went out of his way to welcome the freshmen and the sophomores to the theater program," noting his kindness and leadership in school musicals and plays. Former music teacher Susan McAllister said Preddy led in chamber choir, show choir and vocal jazz and quoted a former freshman: "He was generous with his time, welcoming by nature, and the kind of person who made you feel included without trying." McAllister said she is "deeply angry" and grieving but proud of the man he became.

Travis Vanderbilt, a childhood friend, told the board Preddy was "kindness incarnate" and urged the district to be proud of the alumnus. Mark Becker, speaking for the Green Bay Boy Choir, recalled Preddy’s longtime involvement with the choir and described his final act as "one of courage and one of selflessness."

Several speakers read tributes and reflections sent by others who could not attend; Carrie Green read prepared remarks that included a quotation from a retired teacher asserting that efforts to "assassinate a good person" and later "assassinate his character" were wrong and adding the disputed line, "He was not a domestic terrorist." Speakers repeatedly emphasized Preddy’s mentorship, humor and dedication to veterans.

The board opened the meeting with a moment of silence and offered condolences to Preddy’s family and friends. After public comment concluded the board moved on to routine business and to the superintendent’s updates.