The Wauwatosa School Board consists of seven community members who are elected at-large by Wauwatosa voters.

Members are elected to a three-year term with elections held for three members one year, and four members the next year. There is no election in the third year unless there is a vacant seat to fill. Members serve on a voluntary basis with no financial compensation. 

At the end of three years, members may run for re-election. Elections are held in April and terms begin with the Board's next meeting. If a vacancy occurs during a term, the Board will appoint someone to the role until the next election for the district.

The Board holds an annual reorganization meeting on or within thirty (30) days after the fourth Monday in April. The meeting is called to order by the ranking officer of the preceding Board who shall serve as presiding officer until the election of the Board President. The Board also elects, from among its members, a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and a Clerk. Such election shall occur on or within thirty (30) days after the fourth (4th) Monday in April.

Candidates running for School Board in the April 2023 election are as follows: 

The Board meets twice a month and at other times upon the call of the School Board President or upon the filing of a request with the Superintendent signed by a majority of the School Board members.

Special meetings may be called by the secretary at the request of the President or by any two (2) members of the Board. Notification. No business is to be transacted at a special meeting other than that specified in the notification thereof.

 
The Superintendent and those administrators directed by the Superintendent shall attend all meetings, when feasible. Administrative participation shall be by professional counsel, guidance, and recommendation - as distinct from deliberation, debate, and voting of Board members.

The Board has the dual responsibility for implementing statutory requirements pertaining to public education and for meeting the desires of residents. While the Board has an obligation to determine and assess citizen desires, it is understood that when the voters elect delegates to represent them in the conduct of specified educational programs, they, at the same time, are endowed with the authority to exercise their best judgment in determining policies, making decisions, and approving procedures for carrying out the responsibility. Below are some of the Board's responsibilities:

• Establish policy for the District administration to implement and oversee.
• Set the annual school levy
• Set and approve the annual District budget
• Selection and evaluation of the District's superintendent who is charged with day-to-day operations of the District.
• Jurisdiction over any controversy or dispute that arises in the district in which the Board has authority over.
• Advocate on behalf of students and promote the cause of public education.
• Communicate with and keep citizens informed about the progress or any problems of the District.
• Work with the superintendent and administration to determine and set the educational goals of the District.

Our School Board members carry out a number of responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to: 

• Maintaining governance standards.
• Reviewing policies. 
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the District's work. 
• Approving expenditures.

The decisions the Board makes impacts the District's strategic plan and priorities, and how your tax dollars support public education in Wauwatosa. 

You can contact School Board members about District-related topics. Before contacting a member of the School Board, stakeholders are encouraged to follow the District's Steps to Issue Resolution, which includes speaking with the following individuals in the order listed: 

• Appropriate staff member (teacher, coach, educational assistant, etc.)
• Building principal
• Department director
• Department chief
• Superintendent

If your concern was not adequately resolved, then please contact any/all members of the School Board. 

If you wish to submit a public comment to the Board, please email publiccomment@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us. 

If you wish to ask a question related to a presentation made during a School Board meeting, please complete this form. Questions are due nine (9) days after the presentation was made to the Board.