Brown Deer School District interviews two candidates to fill board vacancy; decision set for June 25

The Brown Deer School District Board of Education conducted interviews with two finalists for a one-year vacancy on the board and said it will announce its selection in open session at its June 25 meeting.

Board President Dr. Todd Nido opened the session and described the format: board members would take turns asking candidates questions about qualifications, priorities and availability. The two candidates — Meredith Welch and Tashanda Edelen (name spelled variously in the transcript) — each gave brief personal introductions and then answered a series of questions from board members.

Meredith Welch said she is an alumna of the district, a longtime community member and a parent of two sons. “I have 20 plus years in education,” Welch said, adding that her background is in school social work and administration and that she holds licensure including as a director of special education and as an advanced practice social worker. Welch said she would emphasize social-emotional supports, equitable practices and opportunities such as apprenticeships and internships to serve students who do not follow a college path.

Board members questioned Welch about time commitment and availability; she told the board she could be flexible to meet the schedule and community-engagement expectations. The board noted the vacancy fills a term that runs through April (the position will be on the ballot in the next election cycle). The board outlined onboarding steps for a newly appointed member, including orientation through the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) and meetings with district administrators.

The board recessed briefly and then interviewed Tashanda Edelen, who spoke virtually while on family leave. Edelen said she has been a Brown Deer resident for 15 years, her children attend district schools, and she currently works as a nurse practitioner and as manager of health services for Milwaukee Public Schools. She said she volunteers on the parent advisory committee and is experienced interpreting financial documents in her current role.

On transparency and confidentiality, Edelen said she would expect the board to provide the community with outcomes of personnel or other sensitive matters while preserving specific confidential details: “Just what the resolution was...so we know as a community that...someone listened, and then there was some resolve,” she said.

The board thanked both candidates and said it would debrief, contact the selected candidate, and announce the appointment at its June 25 meeting. No appointment was announced that evening.

Next steps: board members will discuss the interviews and notify the chosen candidate before publicly announcing the appointment at the June 25 board meeting.