School Board leadership likely to change after Election results
Last Tuesday, voters in the Franklin Public School District sent incumbent Board member Aimee Schlueter packing and made a strong statement by electing newcomer Jeff Lewis with a commanding 33% of the vote. In comparison to his challengers, Lewis' numbers bested current Board President Janet Evans, who won the 2nd seat in the race, by 8%.
What does this mean for the current Board leadership? Several things, most likely. First, the Board will need to elect a new Clerk since Schlueter held that position. Second, the Board Presidency could be on the line since Schlueter, a close Evans ally, is gone and Lewis, who received the support of Evans opponents on the Common Council along with County Supervisor Steve Taylor, isn't likely to back her.
To keep her Presidency locked in for another term, she'd need to rely on wooing one of the other Board members for their support. Linda Witkowski has already made several pro-Evans votes in the past, so that's a lock. Don't expect Melissa Klein or Debra Larson to come to her aid. They've stood firmly against Evans for years, and also supported Lewis and challenger Jessica Kent. That leaves Tim Nielson and Alan Aleksandrowicz. Nielson, the current VIce President, could logically make a move to seek the top position. Or the unknown Aleksandrowicz could make a statement and say NO to Evans representing a Board that doesn't agree with many of her positions. Regardless, if Nielson or Aleksandrowicz support Klein, Larson and Lewis, Evans is bumped out of her seat.
This site has taken the position that the Board should remove Evans from her role as Board President, based on her positions being the single minority on many issues within the district. It makes zero sense to have a Board President that truly doesn't represent the majority of Board votes and positions.
What does this mean for Evans? The Board isn't that heartless. She'd likely retain a post in the leadership, but Treasurer or Clerk would be in her sights. And Evans can't worry too much about Board politics at this time to make an impact - the aldermanic district she represents voted her 3rd place behind Lewis and Kent. Facing a likely recall election for her Council seat should keep her focused on improving her image on the city level if she expects to overcome it.