Kelly Piasecki re-elected president as Waukesha School District board names officers

Kelly Piasecki was re-elected president of the School District of Waukesha Board of Education on April 27 during the board's reorganization meeting, which also selected Anthony Zenobia as vice president, Carrie Koslowski as treasurer, Thomas Harland as clerk and Sue Ettinger as secretary.

The meeting opened with roll call and a review of the election process, including confidential ballots where allowed by state law and a majority threshold of four members present. Board members nominated and seconded candidates for each office; where only one nomination was made the board moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous vote, and where multiple nominees were present the board used ballots.

Votes at a glance: Kelly Piasecki, president — Passed on roll call, 7-0; Anthony Zenobia, vice president — Passed on roll call, 7-0; Carrie Koslowski, treasurer — Passed on roll call, 7-0; Thomas Harland, clerk — Elected by pink ballot, "by a clear majority" (recorded as elected); Sue Ettinger, secretary — Passed on roll call, 7-0.

The clerk race included multiple nominees. Diane Voit and Thomas Harland were both put forward; a nomination for Betty Koenig was retracted after the board learned Koenig would not accept the position. The board then conducted a written ballot; the minutes state that by a clear majority Thomas Harland was elected clerk.

Following the officer elections, Piasecki offered brief remarks about priorities and expectations for the coming year. "I think we still have a quite a lot of work to do," Piasecki said, and added, "I commit to you all to have the committee assignments returned within the next 24 to 48 hours." She urged members to "refresh themselves on our board bylaws," to come prepared to meetings and to maintain professionalism, adding that "our true authority is vested in the votes and the actions that we take and the policies that we establish and govern." The board also acknowledged Administrative Professionals Day during the meeting.

The transcript records that "Mrs. Koenig and Mr. Harland are excused for this evening" at roll call earlier in the meeting; the subsequent record shows Harland accepting a nomination and being elected clerk by ballot. The meeting concluded with the presiding officer adjourning the session.

The board did not take up other substantive business at this reorganization meeting. Next procedural steps noted by the president included distribution of committee assignments to board members within 24 to 48 hours.