We are excited to announce the selection of our Secondary School Ad Hoc Committee members, who were chosen after a thorough evaluation process.The selection criteria centered on candidates who have relevant experience and collaboration skills, contribute to balanced representation, and can commit the necessary time to effectively fulfill these important roles.
Selection criteria
The internal screening committee to select the committee members based on responses received through the application process consisted of the Chief of Talent, Chief Finance Officer, Director of Buildings and Grounds, Chief of Pupil and Family Supports, and Director of Strategy and Continuous Improvement (in place of the Chief Academic Officer due to a leave situation).
The panel utilized a comprehensive rubric to ensure a fair and objective selection process. Key factors included:
Relevant Experience/Expertise: Brings experience or background relevant to the committee’s goals. Focus on gaining construction and financial expertise.
Representation/Diversity: Contributes to balanced representation (role, background, perspective). Critical to have every school community represented.
Collaboration Skills: Demonstrates ability to work cooperatively and respectfully in groups.
Availability: Able to attend meetings and fulfill time commitments as needed.
Committee members
We are pleased to welcome the following committee members, who were selected from a total of 50 applicants:
One parent or guardian from each elementary school building and Wauwatosa Montessori (10):
Eisenhower: Vivian Dondlinger
Jefferson: Seth Flanders
Lincoln: Katie Triska Wiemer
Madison: No applicants to represent this group
McKinley: Abby Kortes
Roosevelt: Andrea Hoffman
Underwood: Patrick Zarling
Washington: Katharine Hudson*
Wilson: Jonathan Ference-Burke
Wauwatosa Montessori: Lindsay Schiller
*Note:The selection committee recommended Katharine Hudson after the representative who was initially identified indicated that they do not intend to be a Washington parent/guardian for the 2025-26 school year.
Two parents or guardians from each of the four District secondary school buildings (8)
Longfellow: Will Gilbert
Longfellow: Tyler Malzahn
Whitman: Pablo Bras
Whitman: Maura Riordan
East: Melissa Smothers
East: Martha Handrich
West: Charmina McGill
West: Sarah Noerenberg
Four Wauwatosa residents who do not currently have children attending schools in the Wauwatosa School District (4):
Liz Shickles
Martin McLemore
Edward Brennan
Sharon Muehlfeld
Four current secondary school staff members, one from each of the District’s secondary schools (4):
Longfellow: Dana Federmeyer
Whitman: Matt Troilo
East: Michael Hayden
West: No applicants to represent this group
Four current high school students (4):
West: Vinny Ortega
No additional applicants to represent this group
No additional applicants to represent this group
No additional applicants to represent this group
We are confident these 25 members will bring diverse opinions and unique perspectives to achieve the committee’s objectives. Thank you to everyone who applied to be a part of this important work. We look forward to the positive impact these members, and our greater community, will have on this important evaluation of our secondary schools.
The Secondary School Ad Hoc Committee kickoff meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Fisher Administration Building, 12121 W. North Ave. (Room C). All meetings are open to the public. The committee’s first order of business will be to tour the District’s four secondary schools on the following dates starting at 5:30 p.m.:
May 20, 2025: Whitman Middle School, 11100 W. Center St.
May 22, 2025: Longfellow Middle School, 7600 W. North Ave.
June 2, 2025: Wauwatosa West High School, 11400 W. Center St.
June 4, 2025: Wauwatosa East High School, 7500 Milwaukee Ave.
For more information, please visit wauwatosaschools.org/secondaryschooladhoc2025