Ziegler Will Not Seek Re-Election to Elmbrook School Board

One of the two most veteran Elmbrook School Board members said Tuesday he will not run for re-election in spring, while another said he will seek another term.

Bob Ziegler, who joined the board in 2003 along with Meg Wartman, announced at Tuesday's board meeting that won't run again in order to spend more time with his family and his work.

Glen Allgaier, a board member since 2007, said he will ask voters to re-elect him on the April 2 ballot.

Anyone interested in running for office can begin circulating nomination papers on Saturday after filing a registration form.

Ziegler, who has found himself on the minority end on some of the board's most controversial votes in recent years (Hillside Elementary School closing, Chapter 220 enrollment and 4-year-old kindergarten among them), said he was "excited" about the district's current strategic direction and efforts.

"Quite frankly, it's time for someone else to help carry all this forward," Ziegler said.

Time to focus on family

The biggest reason for not seeking re-elecdtion, he said, was his desire to focus more on family.

"During my nine years on the board there have too many family life events where I was at best an attendee or a casual observer than an active participant," he said. "It's time to refocus more completely on my immediate and extended families."

He said he also plans to devote more attention to his "engaging and energetic" job at Northwestern Mutual.

Ziegler became active in the district in the mid-1990s as a member of teams studying facilities needs at Wisconsin Hills Middle School and later the two high schools before joining the board in 2003.

While serving on the board did include some "frustrating" times, Ziegler said "overall, it's a rewarding way to give back to the children of our community."

Wartman and Board President Tom Gehl thanked Ziegler for his service.

"We'll miss you," Wartman said.

"We honor and respect your service... your decisions... and you both," Gehl said to Ziegler and Allgaier.

Allgaier said he will seek a third three-year term on the School Board because he wants to continue working on district initiatives.

"I just want to say to the board one of the reasons — the major reason — for doing that is because I enjoy working with the board and I enjoy working with the administation," Allgaier said. "This has just been a great six years."

Candidates sought for open seat

Residents interested in running for Ziegler's at-large seat can live anywhere within the Elmbrook School District boundaries.

Candidates running for the Area II seat currently held by Allgaier must live in that area, which is the northwest quadrant of the district, roughly north of North Avenue and west of Calhoun Road plus a small area east of Calhoun Road north of Capitol Drive. (see map)

To get on the spring ballot, candidates must file proper paperwork, available at the district's business office at 13780 Hope St. in Brookfield, including a campaign registration statement. Valid signatures of 100 to 200 district electors must be submitted by Jan. 2.

If more than two candidates file, a primary election will be held on Feb. 19, before the general election April 2. The winners serve three-year terms with a $3,600 annual salary.

The district also will hold two informational meetings for prospective board candidates to learn about the commitment and work involved in serving on the School Board. Those meetings will be at 8 a.m. Dec. 13 and 7 p.m. Dec. 18, in room 133 at 13780 Hope St.