Crowded School Board Race Requires February Primary

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from candidate Ross Larsson.

Seven candidates are running for three open spots on the Port Washington-Saukville School Board, meaning all races will be contested and some candidates will even face a primary.

John Soper is the sole new candidate running for the spot that represents the village of Saukville, and will face off against incumbent Carey Gremminger.

Soper — a former candidate for the 60th Assembly District and Saukville attorney — has no children in the district, but said he decided to run because the residents of this area deserve a board that focuses its energy on issues that are both in the best interest of the children and the taxpayers. Gremminger was not immediately available for comment.

The other two spots opening were left vacant for the election season after both Board President Patty Ruth and board member Myron Praeger decided not to run again. Ruth had served 14 years and Praeger had served 15; the spots represent the city of Port.

Hoping to fill their shoes are: Leo Duffrin IV, 919 Fairview Dr.; Brenda Fritsch, 1716 Terrace Dr.; Earl Kelley, 201 E. Whitefish Rd.; Ross Larsson, 228 N. Garfield Ave.; and Michelle Mueller, 1027 W. 3rd Ave.

Duffrin has three daughters in the school district — a senior, sophomore and seventh-grader — and also graduated from Port Washington High School in 1984. It's because of these connections to the district that he wants to run for the board.

"I just want to be more active in what goes on in our schools," he said.

Larsson, who also has three children in the School District, said he is taking a similar focus on his run for the spot.

"I would like to assist the schools in this district in providing the best possible educational environment for the children, while at the same time making these actions transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible to the taxpayer," Larsson said on Facebook. None of the other candidates were immediately available for comment.

Because there are five candidates for two spots, a primary election will be held Feb. 21 to narrow the field. The top four vote-getters will move on to the general election on April 3.

School Board members serve three-year terms, and are paid $1,200 annually for attending one regular monthly meeting as well as one monthly committee meeting. The members are paid extra for attending extra meetings, at a rate of $25 for meetings less than two hours, and $50 for meetings that go longer.