Former School Board President Back In the Fold

Brian Kaminski has been chosen to replace Jim Gilmeister on the School Board.

School Board members Frank Carini, Kathleen Borchardt, Paul Mason and Mark Verhalen voted unanimously Monday night to appoint Kaminski to the position. He previously served on the board from 1998-2007, including several years as president. 

He was selected over Sheryl Cerniglia, who was also vying for the position and, like Kaminski, had previous experience.

"Both are very, very qualified. Both have great track records with our district," Mason said. "In the end, Brian has served as president of this board for a number of years. With his track record of being a strong school board member and president, I think he will fill this vacancy very nicely for us."

Borchardt mentioned Cerniglia's leadership of the Spirit Club, which sells Oak Creek Knights apparel, and issues that needed to get cleared up, though she didn't elaborate.

"We just went through the whole thing with Jim and I'm worried about Spirit Club. I feel like that needs to get resolved," Borchardt said.

"I feel like we would be muddying the water if we were to choose to bring Sheryl to the board after we told Jim he had to decide between the two."

Board members made comments and took the vote after interviewing both candidates in closed session. 

Kaminski, who left prior to the vote being taken and was unavailable for comment afterward, will serve the remaining four months of Gilmeister's term before the April 2012 election.

Cerniglia was . She said she thought board members would have wanted someone who was on the School Board recently, rather than four years ago like Kaminski.

Cerniglia has said that she plans to run again for the board in next spring's election.