School Board appoints former member Jex to fill vacancy

By K. L. Klein

Posted: Feb. 23, 2010 |(0) Comments

Germantown — She dove right in. They even had her old nameplate.

Former School Board member Erin Jex, 33, is filling the spot created by Michael Schultz's resignation. After board members appointed her Monday night, she took her oath of office and got to work. Board members joked about recycling, presenting Jex with her old nameplate.

The board had appointed Jex, N11807 Daniels Drive, in September 2007 to fill the vacancy created when Ric Ericksen resigned after being hired as the school district's business manager.

However, she lost the seat to Cari Brust in April 2008. Jex then mounted a comeback last April, making it through the primary, but ultimately lost to Tom Bowe.

Jex said she had decided not to run in April again because of her husband's coaching commitment and time constraints, but couldn't pass up a chance when Schulz's seat opened up. She said the hiring of a new superintendent is of particular interest to her.

"There is a lot of changes coming up," Jex said.

Superintendent Kenneth Rogers, 58, announced his retirement, effective June 30, earlier this month.

Jex, who has lived in the village for about six years, is a math teacher at Badger Middle School in the West Bend School District. She obtained a bachelor's degree from Xavier University, her teaching certification from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and her master's degree from Marian University. She and her husband have two daughters - the oldest will attend first grade at MacArthur in fall.

Board member Michael Erdmann said the board didn't consider waiting until after the April election because it is committed to providing the community seven representatives.

"We have a lot of things we are dealing with," he said.

In April, Brust, who is finishing her second year on the board, will face challenger Diana Kline. Members Michael Erdmann and Bruce Warnimont are running unopposed.

School Board members serve three-year terms and earn $3,500 a year. Because the board appointed Jex, she will serve until April 2011. Coincidentally, that is when Schultz's term expires.

Barb Mendenhall also had applied to fill Schultz's seat, but arrived about 30 minutes after the meeting began and 15 minutes after the board had interviewed Jex and took a vote.

Schultz, 53, resigned because he is moving to Ashville, N.C.