UPDATE: A profile for Sophia Williams was added on March 25.
Election Day is fast approaching, and I am happy to again provide candidate profiles for local races. We started last week with candidates for South Milwaukee Municipal Judge: Incumbent Kelly A. Martyka and challenger Megan Zienkiewicz.
Today it’s the South Milwaukee School Board.
Thanks to the candidates for submitting information! Note: Just two of the four did, and I share their information below. Also running are incumbent Sophia Williams and challenger Matthew Scales.
Election Day is Tuesday, April 1, and in-person absentee voting begins today (Tuesday, March 18). Absentee ballots are already in the mail.
More information on the city’s Elections web page. Sample ballot
Steve Hansen
- Age: 46
- Campaign website/social media URL(s): Steve Hansen for South Milwaukee School Board Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571216284298
- How long have you lived in South Milwaukee? I grew up in Waukesha and have lived in Southeast Wisconsin almost my entire life. My wife and I bought a home in South Milwaukee in 2011. We love this community and consider our house on 15th Avenue to be our forever home!
- Family: Married, kids, etc. I will be married to my wife for 15 years in October. Together we have two beautiful daughters; our oldest attends South Milwaukee Middle School and our youngest attends Blakewood Elementary School. Together with our dog, a miniature poodle mix named Belle, we’re a pretty typical South Milwaukee family.
- Occupation: I work in the exciting world of Medicaid compliance! This means I make sure medical facilities get what they need from State Government, and ensure that Medicaid HMO’s treat their members and providers fairly. I’m also the proud owner of 1:5,204,625th of the Green Bay Packers.
Relevant experience for this role
I have worked for non-profits and social service organizations throughout my career. I always wanted a career that offered a chance to support those in need and one that would reflect my values. My family attends First Congregational UCC on N. Chicago Ave. After 2 years on the Board of Trustees, this year I became the Chair of the Board of Trustees. The board oversees the operating budget and staff salaries for the over 170-year-old church. Most Sundays, you will also find me behind the control panel running the AV equipment for our YouTube stream. I am also wrapping up 5 years of being on the board of Wisconsin APSE (Association for People Supporting Employment First), which advocates for greater employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As a former non-profit program manager, I oversaw a program budget of over 2 million dollars and was responsible for more than 10 employees. I’ve managed diverse, interconnected teams at organizations with complex structure.
Why are you running for office?
In December, a longtime resident of South Milwaukee asked me if I would be interested in running, and expressed a need for someone like myself to be on the school board. I’m proud to say that when asked to help serve my community, I said yes. I was the first to officially declare candidacy this year and am excited at the chance to give back and ensure our school board continues to balance the needs of district administration, our teachers, students, and the community.
Why should voters vote for you?
My candidacy is supported by current School Board Members Angie DeFord, Andy Simmons and Sophia Williams, as well as former School Board Member Sarah Brooks. Around South Milwaukee you will find my signs in the front yards of at least 15 different families who are current or former teachers/school district employees. A lot of people with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to be on the South Milwaukee School Board know that I am prepared for the job.
I guarantee you that I will work collaboratively with the rest of the school board, district administration, and our teachers to make our South Milwaukee School District the best it can be. I will be open and accessible to our community and I am always willing to find common ground. We can’t make the world perfect, but we can always make it a little better, and I’m committed to doing everything I can to improve our schools. I want South Milwaukee to be a school district that the very best teachers retire from, not a stepping stone to a job in another city. To get there we need to work together towards a common goal.
After declaring my candidacy, I made a point of attending every school board meeting in person from that point forward. I want to hit the ground running, fully up to speed with recent actions by the School Board. I am committed to making our schools better for our community.
What is the most important issue in your race?
The district’s top priority should be improving our State Report Card scores. These scores give a big-picture view of how well students are doing and whether things are improving or getting worse. Right now, too many schools aren’t meeting expectations, achievement growth is down, and some schools have seen their overall scores drop. Schools across the US are struggling to regain their footing following the disruption of the pandemic. Creating more successful schools will take everyone’s buy-in and full effort. We all need to work together to improve the academic performance of our schools.
What is the biggest challenge facing the school district?
Teacher retention. Our teachers need better support, more resources, and a career path that encourages them to stay and grow with South Milwaukee School District. Seeing teachers leave mid-semester is heartbreaking. I’ve seen the impact teacher retention has on my own family and my friends’ families. A teacher leaving mid-semester should be viewed as a “canary in a coal mine.” Our School Board needs to be engaged in conversations with other teachers, school administration, and the affected families to figure out how to prevent it from happening again. I’ll say it again, I want South Milwaukee to be a school district that the very best teachers retire from, not a stepping stone to a job in another city.
What is the biggest opportunity in front of the district?
I’m always optimistic about the future, and I believe our biggest strength is our community. South Milwaukee is a great place to raise a family, and I truly believe our best days are ahead of us. Our downtown is on the upswing and our school district has a solid Strategic Plan with clear goals to improve our schools. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to make that vision a reality.
Last fall, I attended a public listening session and School Board meeting about possible plans to create a home construction program for South Milwaukee High School. The overwhelming sentiment shared by my neighbors and I at the meeting and listening session was that this program is vital to the long-term success of our high school students, but also that the deal presented was not a good one. It benefited Oak Creek far more than South Milwaukee and would have permanently taken away valuable community greenspace for the creation of a couple homes by mainly Oak Creek students. “Back to the drawing board,” was how the public discussion ended. I look forward to creating a home construction program for the benefit of our high school students that preserves community greenspace, serves South Milwaukee students, and continues the economic and residential redevelopment of South Milwaukee.
Does the issue of public school funding need to be addressed? If so, how?
Yes. In 2024 there were 241 referendum initiatives to increase funding for our schools. School districts all across the state asked for increased funding from their communities to fill the gap left by State funding; from the reddest districts in Northern Wisconsin to the bluest districts in Dane County. South Milwaukee passed a referendum a year ago and overall has done a good job of doing more with less in recent years, but the current funding from Madison is not sustainable in the long-term. Right now, the answer isn’t another referendum but to continue to lobby State Government to do more to fund public schools with some of the surplus. Let’s lean on our elected officials in Madison to do more to support our public schools.
Of the four core values of the school district, what is one you are passionate about and why?
I could write about how all four core values are important to our school district, but growth is the one speaking loudest to me right now. As I stated above, I am always optimistic about the future. South Milwaukee School District has the potential to do some amazing things. Our new STEM program is already literally building stuff that will go into outer space, the community is calling for a home building program, and now there’s an opportunity to build a Recreation Center. There are some amazing opportunities in front of us! Growth—it’s more than just academic growth. It’s greater community impact, and creating exciting new educational opportunities. Together we can make it happen!
William Sakalaucks
- Age: 39
- Address: 816 Manistique Ave
- Campaign website/social media URL(s): Facebook
- How long have you lived in South Milwaukee? 2 and a half years.
- Family: Married for 5 years, no children
- Occupation: Elementary Music Teacher in Racine Unified Schools
Relevant experience for this role
I have been a teacher for 12 years, have served as a union representative for my building for 7 years, currently the secretary for Racine Educators United, and chairman of a non-profit in northern Wisconsin for 7 years.
Why are you running for office?
I had considered running after last spring’s local elections. I saw how groups that have been openly hostile towards our public schools had supported candidates in Racine, Oak Creek, Germantown, and other districts across southeast Wisconsin, and wanted to ensure we had a candidate who fully supports the public schools within South Milwaukee
Why should voters vote for you?
During my time teaching in Racine, I have been actively engaged as a teacher and an advocate for Racine Unified Schools, as well as for my students and families. I have worked with administration in the hiring of a new superintendent, engaged in budget discussions that impact classroom environments, and led student groups in voicing their concerns. Additionally, I have been working with the South Milwaukee PAC for the last 7 years through their Summer Youth Theater program as music director for the elementary-age shows and sound technician. I consider South Milwaukee home, and that our schools deserve leadership who will listen and act on input from all who are impacted.
What is the most important issue in your race?
Engagement with all stakeholders in the education process. Staff, students, parents, and administration should be working together as a team to improve and promote our schools as THE institutions of learning for all learners within our district.
What is the biggest challenge facing the school district?
The continued underfunding of our schools by the state of Wisconsin, along with the diversion of public funds to private schools.
What is the biggest opportunity in front of the district?
South Milwaukee is one of the most walkable districts in southeast Wisconsin. Our schools are truly neighborhood schools, and we should be able to leverage parent engagement within their children’s education. As a teacher, my students who lived near their schools had a greater connection to learning. Parental engagement and participation is crucial to our students’ learning.
Does the issue of public school funding need to be addressed? If so, how?
Yes. Our board has been vocal about state funding not keeping pace with inflation. With the additional funds being sent from South Milwaukee to Parental Choice Program (voucher) schools, South Milwaukee now has to do more with less. Our public schools are required to provide all necessary services for all students (speech therapy, occupational and physical therapies, deaf/hard of hearing services, etc), and we aren’t reimbursed at a rate that is equitable to private schools.
Of the four core values of the school district, what is one you are passionate about and why?
This is the hardest question to answer, as all four values are important in learning and engaging. Community without empathy is a group of people without connection to each other. Without equity of access, not all will grow to their fullest potential. These four values are interdependent. As a teacher, I have to be aware of all four in my classroom, in my planning, and in my engagement.
Sophia Williams
- Age: 51
- How long have you lived in South Milwaukee? I’ve lived in South Milwaukee for 23 years. The first election I ever participated in as a resident was the referendum to build the new high school. At the time, I didn’t have children—but I still supported it because I’ve always valued education and understood its impact on a strong, thriving community. My commitment to this district has never wavered. From that very first vote to now serving as School Board President, I’ve remained deeply invested in ensuring that all students in South Milwaukee have access to the opportunities they need to succeed.
- Family: Married with two children, both of whom are proud recent graduates of South Milwaukee High School. Raising our family here has deepened my connection to this community and strengthened my commitment to ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education and a supportive school environment.
- Occupation: Regional Campus Manager – Milwaukee Area Technical College
Relevant Experience for This Role
I currently serve as the President of the South Milwaukee School Board and have been a board member committed to ensuring our district remains focused on what matters most: student success and teacher support. I bring over 15 years of professional experience in education, including leadership in student services, academic support, and operations.
As board president, I played a key role in onboarding our new superintendent and worked closely with the South Milwaukee Education Association (SMEA) and district leadership to establish monthly meetings—strengthening communication, building trust, and facilitating a strong, collaborative working relationship between administration and staff. During the leadership transition in our district, I made it a priority to ensure that teacher and staff voices were heard and respected throughout the process. I believe those closest to our students are essential partners in shaping the future of our schools.
In my role as Regional Campus Manager at Milwaukee Area Technical College, I lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets, and partner with educators across K-12 and higher education. This role gives me a unique perspective on how well high school students are being prepared for college and careers, and it allows me to build stronger partnerships between our district and post-secondary institutions. I bring a strategic, student-centered mindset to the board, with a focus on accountability, innovation, and long-term planning.
Beyond my professional and board experience, I’ve also been an active community volunteer—serving as a scout leader, participating in local cleanup projects, and supporting neighborhood and school-based initiatives. South Milwaukee is not just where I live—it’s where I lead, serve, and give back.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running for re-election because my commitment to the students, staff, and families of South Milwaukee remains as strong as ever. We’ve accomplished incredible things this year—hiring a new superintendent, launching a five-year strategic plan, and passing an operational referendum that allows us to invest in the people and programs that make our schools strong. But I’ve realized that my work isn’t finished.
In a time of uncertainty and change, what our district needs is consistency—leadership that listens, understands our history, and remains focused on doing what’s best for students. I bring that steady leadership, along with a collaborative mindset and a deep belief in the potential of every child in our community.
I’m running to continue building on the progress we’ve made—to strengthen academic opportunities, support our educators, and ensure that every student leaves our schools prepared for a successful future.
Why should voters vote for you?
I bring experience, consistency, and a deep commitment to our schools. I’ve helped lead South Milwaukee through a period of transition, worked to establish a long-term strategic plan, and supported the successful passage of an operational referendum. I lead with empathy, I listen to all voices, and I make decisions based on what’s best for students.
I also believe deeply in accountability—not just for our teachers and staff, but for our leadership. One of the most important responsibilities of a school board is hiring a superintendent who can guide the district forward. We invested significant time and care in that process, knowing the impact it would have on our future. Our focus was finding a leader who listens—to our students, to our educators, and to our families—and who leads collaboratively, with the goal of uniting the district around shared values and goals.
Our new superintendent reflects that vision. Together, we’re working to build a school district that others look to for hope, strength, and the understanding that—no matter the challenge—we will face it head-on and overcome it, together.
What is the most important issue in your race?
Student success. The children in our district are the future of South Milwaukee, our state, and our nation. Supporting our students by ensuring educators have the tools they need and are empowered to do their best work is the most important issue in this race. When teachers are supported, students thrive—academically, emotionally, and socially.
After years of transition, we now have a stable and collaborative leadership team in place. This gives us a critical opportunity to focus on what matters most: addressing student mental health, strengthening academic support, and preparing every graduate for success beyond high school. We need steady, student-centered leadership on the board to build on this foundation and make lasting progress for our schools.
What is the biggest challenge facing the school district?
Balancing student needs with available resources continues to be the biggest challenge facing our district. We are being asked to do more with less—supporting student mental health, academic recovery, staff retention, and safety—while navigating rising costs and ongoing funding constraints. At the same time, our district is being measured by academic outcomes, and our students’ preparedness and test scores must improve.
Recognizing this, we developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan that directly addresses these areas—focusing on academic growth, student wellness, and equity. We also passed an operational referendum to ensure we could dedicate funds toward teacher retention, classroom support, and student-focused initiatives. Strategic planning, transparency, and community trust are essential as we work to show meaningful, measurable growth and give all students the opportunities they deserve.
What is the biggest opportunity in front of the district?
We have the opportunity to reimagine education to better serve today’s students by making thoughtful, student-centered decisions that reflect the diverse goals, strengths, and needs of all learners. This means expanding career pathways, strengthening partnerships with families, and integrating social-emotional learning across the district.
We are committed to building programs that support every student—from those pursuing college to those seeking alternative paths. That includes developing a GED Option 2 program, ensuring access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and creating career pathway opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials before graduation. By using data to guide our planning and investing in programs that meet students where they are, we’re preparing them not only for graduation—but for a meaningful future beyond high school.
Does the issue of public school funding need to be addressed? If so, how?
Absolutely. Public school funding is one of the most urgent and complex issues we face. The current state and federal funding formulas often fall short of what it truly takes to run a high-quality school district—especially when we’re expected to support academic growth, mental health, special education, safety, and teacher retention, all while costs continue to rise.
We must continue to advocate for long-overdue school funding reform at the state level. This means pushing for fairer funding formulas that recognize the unique needs of each district and provide consistent, adequate resources to support all students. But while we work toward that goal, we can’t afford to wait. That’s why we’ve also focused on finding local and creative solutions to bridge the gap.
These solutions include passing an operational referendum to protect class sizes and invest in teacher retention, partnering with local businesses to develop career pathway programs, exploring grants and alternative funding streams, and leveraging community partnerships to expand services and opportunities for students.
Most importantly, we’re committed to full transparency and accountability—ensuring that every dollar is tied to student outcomes and aligned with our strategic plan. Sustainable school funding isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about securing a future where all students have access to the opportunities and support they need to thrive.
Of the four core values of the school district, what is one you are passionate about and why?
I truly believe all four core values—Community, Growth, Equity, and Empathy—are equally important. They were chosen with intention and are embedded into our five-year strategic plan, which I was proud to help shape by supporting the creation of a policy that now requires strategic planning every five years. These values are not just guiding principles—they drive the decisions we make and the direction of our district.
Each value plays a unique and vital role:
- Community strengthens our partnerships and keeps us connected to the families and residents we serve.
- Growth reflects our dedication to continuous improvement for both students and staff.
- Equity ensures every child receives the resources and support they need to succeed.
- Empathy creates the foundation for a safe, welcoming school culture where students feel heard and valued.
These values are not stand-alone—they work together to create a school system that serves the whole child. As a board member, I’m committed to ensuring that every decision reflects these core commitments and builds a stronger future for all students.
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