Leanne Wied for Elmbrook Public Schools

06/14/2023

Senate Bill 330 and Assembly Bill 305, being voted on today, will increase payments to Private and Charter Schools.

Elmbrook taxpayers pay the majority of these costs on our property tax bill.

The table and chart below show the increase in costs for Elmbrook taxpayers.

Elmbrook Schools

10/27/2022

Do you know how much more in property taxes a Universal Private School Choice Program could cost you, the average Elmbrook Homeowner?

An unlimited Private School Choice program has the potential to cost the average homeowner in Elmbrook an additional $700-$900 each year, beginning with the next school year.

It has the potential to add an additional $23 million dollars, or more, to the Elmbrook School Property Tax Levy, an increase of more than 25%.

Our Elmbrook Public Schools are the heart of our community. They strengthen our community as well as our property values. They are the reason people choose to make this community their home.

This is the time to show support for our Public Schools.

Please ask candidates for statewide offices, who are running on a platform of expanding private school choice, how we, the taxpayers, will pay for this expansion and how this will impact our presently strong Public Schools and their funding.

Elmbrook Schools

02/12/2021

Thank you to the Waukesha Freeman for covering the Elmbrook School Board race!

https://waukeshafreeman-wi-app.newsmemory.com/?publink=0ccacb90f_1345c48

Elmbrook Schools

02/09/2021

Thank you to the Elmbrook Parent Network and Leadership Council for hosting the Candidate Forum last night!

--In-Person voting ends on Friday, February 12th.

--Election Day is Tuesday, February 16th.

Elmbrook Schools

01/28/2021

Thank you to the Journal/Sentinel for covering the Elmbrook School Board Primary!

"Here's how the Elmbrook School Board candidates feel about a petition to improve racial justice education in the classroom

Evan Casey
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Voters in Elm Grove and Brookfield and some in New Berlin will soon have a chance to vote for a new school board member.
On Feb. 16, a primary election will be held for an open at-large seat of the Elmbrook School Board.

Three candidates — James Gunsalus, incumbent Mushir Hassan and Leanne Wied — will vie for the seat.

The new board member will serve a district which earned top honors from Niche as the best school district in Wisconsin for 2021.
The winner, who will join the seven-member board, will serve on the board for three years.

In May 2020, the board appointed Mushir Hassan to fill a then vacant school board position. Hassan will now be challenged by Leanne Wied, who also ran for the board in 2017 and 2020, and James Gunsalus.

Hassan and Wied both discussed how they plan to continue the success of the district. They also discussed a petition sent to the board from district alumni to improve education on racial justice.
Gunsalus, who has filed his campaign registration statement, declaration of candidacy and nomination signatures, according to the district, did not return a several calls and emails from a reporter to be included in this story.

In 2020, a group of Elmbrook School District alumni called out the district on its "lack of response to the current injustices impacting our community, as well as the district's curricular practices that neglect issues of racial justice." Do you agree with the issues raised in the petition, and if so, how would you plan to address some of these concerns as a board member?

Hassan:
I agree that the issues raised are important and need to be addressed. Our district approach with the Equity Non Negotiables workgroup began this process and I have been an active participant in this work. As a board member, I have also championed updating our mission and values as well as our policies to reflect attention to diversity, equity and inclusion. Our alumni were clear that our district can do better to prepare them for workplace and community conversations about race. Another step forward is updating our social studies curriculum to ensure that cultures and traditions from around the world are represented.

Wied:
As a board member I will listen carefully and thoughtfully and respond in a timely manner to all concerns. As a district, we must commit to recruit, hire and retain excellent staff with an emphasis on a workforce that reflects those we serve. Fostering an environment that allows students and adults to share concerns, assuming best intentions, with opportunities to learn, empathize and grow is critical. Additionally, we must continuously strive for a rigorous and unbiased curriculum that provides a broad worldview which teaches our children about our shrinking world while preparing them for success in our global economy.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic continues to worry some students and staff. What do you think the best approach is to address the concerns of students and staff who are worried about safety related to the pandemic?

Hassan:
Pandemic worry is best mitigated with transparency and clarity. As a physician on the school board, I have offered my insight on our reopening strategy in a safe and resilient manner. I also chair our medical advisory board to best respond to the latest science. Masking, social distancing and hand washing remain central to our strategy. Access to vaccinations for as many people as possible is also paramount. Ongoing dialogue with our staff and families for reassurance and education, work that I have been doing since August, will also remain vital. Our model is resilient and I think a model for the region.

Wied:
Providing families and staff the option of in-person or virtual learning meets the specific needs of families, helps retain valuable staff and results in smaller in-person cohorts. Those attending our schools should be provided with the safest environment possible, one that follows established science-based protocols. This includes high quality air filtration systems, smaller class sizes allowing for distancing, and a strong partnership with the community. Timely and transparent district communication combined with consistent science-based metrics fosters trust and confidence. I am optimistic with the vaccine rollout underway, but we must continue to be vigilant and not relax our protocols.

The Elmbrook School District was labeled as the best school district in Wisconsin in 2020, according to Niche. How would you plan to continue this success into the future as a school board member?

Hassan:
Our continued success as a district must recognize the excellent work of our previous boards. Elmbrook has a track record of leading with programs and policies. I think our ongoing success will center around expanding LAUNCH opportunities and strands while building our bench of community mentors. Continued focus on elementary school numeracy and literacy skills is paramount. This will require us to attract and retain talented faculty and staff to keep our standing. As a board member with experience on professional and volunteer boards, I recognize the value of collegial and respectful debate and discussion to achieve meaningful results.

Wied:
The district is understandably proud of its Niche rating, though I hope to learn more about Niche and their business model. Data appears to be reported by users and a more critical analysis is reasonable. I place greater emphasis on consistent, objective performance and achievement metrics and trends such as school report cards, MAP scores, AP results, college and career readiness and achievement gaps, among others. We have much to celebrate with some metrics and opportunities for improvement with others. As a board member, my experience in education would provide a necessary perspective making decisions that best impact student success."

Elmbrook Schools

The Elmbrook School Board candidates discuss the district's practices on racial justice and the coronavirus pandemic.

01/09/2021

Please copy and share my flyer electronically with family, friends and neighbors.

Elmbrook Schools

01/06/2021

I am very excited to announce that I am running for the Elmbrook School Board At-Large Seat!

I remain committed to and passionate about our public schools, our children and our community, and I will wholeheartedly serve and work on behalf of the entire community and all of our children.

My insight through years of involvement with the Elmbrook School District as a parent, a teacher and now as an involved and committed community member will strengthen the Board and our District by adding a unique and valuable perspective to the important decisions Board members will make. I believe Board members must be responsive, responsible, and accountable and those objectives will guide my work.

And last but not least, I want to profoundly thank those people who signed my nomination papers and who circulated my nomination papers on my behalf. Getting signatures under normal circumstances is challenging, but to do so in the midst of a pandemic is daunting. I cannot thank friends and supporters enough for your help and support. You have provided me with this opportunity and I will work hard serving our community!

Dates to put on your calendar:
Primary: Tuesday, February 16, 2021
General: Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Elmbrook Schools

05/13/2020

The interview process was held tonight for the open At-Large School Board Seat. I would like to thank everyone who encouraged me to apply for this position and who supported me in this process.

While I was not ultimately chosen, I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Mushir Hassan for being chosen as our new School Board member. I wish him the very best and thank him in advance for his service to the community.

Thank you, again, and continue to stay healthy and safe.

04/14/2020

While the results did not turn out as I had hoped tonight, I congratulate my opponent, Jen Roskopf, and wish her the very best on her election to the Elmbrook School Board. Again, thank you all so very much for your support. Together, we have raised issues and awareness and we will continue to work together to maintain the excellence we treasure in our public schools. Thank you.

04/12/2020

As we wait for the election results to be reported tomorrow, I want to take the time to thank a multitude of people for the support they showed me during this School Board Race.

From December to April, so many of you offered help, encouragement and advice. You signed and circulated my nomination papers. Numerous people put signs in their yards and helped me get signs out to other homes and businesses. Countless supporters, those I know and those I have never met, helped to distribute literature and reached out to their friends, neighbors and colleagues. I was welcomed on front porches, into homes and coffee shops, at meetings, events and forums. So many of you liked and shared my page and posts, which helped get my message out. You shared with me both your concerns and what you love about our schools.

I was humbled by the support I received from community members all over the political spectrum. This School Board race truly reinforced my belief that we have more in common than what divides us. We all care about our own children and the children in our community, and we want the very best for them. We believe our excellent public schools strengthen our community and are the heart and soul of our community. Our public schools and our children bring us together and keep us together.

Win or lose, it has been a privilege to have the support of so many. Thank you.

Elmbrook Schools

04/07/2020

It was exactly a month ago that my large family got together for the last time before the quarantine. It was the last time that I was able to give my son and daughter a hug. Our phones keep our family together, thankfully, and some quick (keeping our distance) drop offs help as well.

Suddenly, this is the night before the election--I wasn't prepared for that. Things change so rapidly these days.

While there is so much anxiety and worry about everyone's health, it is also an opportunity for perspective and gratitude. Thank you so much to our essential workers for keeping us going, thank you to our medical professionals who risk so much to care for us, thank you to our teachers who are working so hard to teach our children, thank you to the parents juggling work and home and children, and thank you to our neighbors who are helping each other out.

Be safe and take good care.