Candidate Profiles 2025

Alicia Shaw 

Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?

I am running for Whitnall School Board because I am deeply committed to the success and well-being of Whitnall's students, families, staff, and community members.

The School Board must be a steadfast advocate for all stakeholders. It must do this with a focus on children’s learning, achievement, and future preparedness.

I am a mother of three children in the district and a resident since 2015. I am passionate about ensuring every child feels welcome, valued, and empowered to succeed.

I am dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where we value and listen to staff expertise and perspectives. With their valuable input we can drive continuous improvement in our schools. 

I also am dedicated to preparing our students to become the future leaders and change-makers that our community, state, and country need. I prioritize fiscal responsibility and strategic investments to benefit our children, schools, community, and future generations.

I am committed to serving people, fostering collaboration and driving continuous improvement. All three will guide my work on the Whitnall School Board. I am ready to bring my passion, dedication, and vision to serve and uplift our district.

What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?

I have extensive experience to offer the Whitnall School Board. As a mom and community member for over nine years, and in my jobs as a nurse, a college instructor, and a Veteran, I’m skilled at improvement work. I know how to analyze data, set priorities, engage with stakeholders, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes. I lead teams, find opportunities, and teach others how to lead change.

First, as a mother of students in the district and a community member for over nine years, my family has experienced our schools first-hand. My children have been in Whitnall Schools since 2015 experiencing K4 - 12th grade. I’ve participated in school PTOs, fundraising, celebrations, sports, music and arts. Secondly, as a quality improvement professional and educator, my work focuses on gathering and analyzing data and prioritizing actions. I facilitate and lead improvement teams and identify opportunities for improvement. It also includes listening to and involving stakeholders and working with others to make decisions and evaluate outcomes. 

I've been working in improvement work in my role in the Quality department of a local hospital for over nine years.  During this time, I earned a master's degree in 2021 focused on systems change and handling complexity. I teach in the UW Milwaukee School of Nursing as a clinical instructor, teaching others how to use improvement tools and lead change. Colleagues describe me as a skilled communicator, team member, and leader. They also describe me as approachable, encouraging, and optimistic.

I'm dedicated to service. I served in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves for 8 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2003. I’ve continued serving in the community as a member, volunteer and leader in both HCE and WMS PTOs.  I’ve been a youth coach for multiple sports and teams, and am currently a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels, and continue to be active and volunteer in my kids' schools.
I'm a good communicator, work well with others, and participate in teamwork every day. I'm also always learning and growing through reflection, seeking research, and gaining knowledge to continuously improve.

All these skills and experiences make me qualified for a role on the School Board.

What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?

I have been a Whitnall School District resident and homeowner since 2015. I have three children currently attending Whitnall schools.  My family and I are active in the school district and community.

I have volunteered and held leadership positions in both the HCE and WMS PTOs. I have also coached youth sports teams. At Hales Corners Public Library, I have been a Friends and monthly book club member. I volunteer at school and community events. I also attend Whitnall School Board meetings. 

My family and I live here.  We are invested in the success of the community, the futures of all children and the Whitnall School District. 

Karen Mikolainis (Incumbent)

Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?

I want the children in our community to receive the best education. I am seeking re-election because our district needs experienced leadership as we continue to onboard our new superintendent and undertake multiple building projects. I will ask important questions and offer solid guidance as we work together to elevate our schools, expand opportunities, and prepare students for success. 

 
What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?

I have served on the Whitnall School Board for six years, including the past two as Board Treasurer. I understand our district’s needs, challenges, opportunities, and history. I’ve worked diligently to prioritize students and families, listen to stakeholders, and uphold fiscal responsibility. Taxpayers are making a huge investment in our schools, and we need to deliver great facilities and great experiences for our students and community.

Student achievement is my top priority, and I am proud of our efforts to raise reading and math scores. Recently, I played a key role in the superintendent transition, helping to hire a collaborative and results-oriented leader who has proven to be a great fit for our community. Our latest data shows improved employee satisfaction and positive gains in student engagement. I will continue to push for continuous improvement across all key performance areas.

 
What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?

My family has lived in Hales Corners for 26 years. As a parent and community member, I am deeply invested in the success of our schools. I currently serve as the Board’s liaison to the Music Boosters and I am passionate about the arts. It is incredibly rewarding to see so many Whitnall students excel in academics, athletics, and activities. I am committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive, feel safe, and be respected.

I’m excited about Whitnall’s future and confident that we can achieve great things. I support my colleague, Jason Craig, for the second seat. Please vote for Karen Mikolainis and Jason Craig to continue the great progress we’re making at Whitnall.

Jason Craig (Incumbent)

Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?

I’ve had the honor of serving on the Whitnall School Board for the past three years, including as Clerk and President. In that time, we’ve made real progress, and I’m committed to keeping that momentum going. I want to ensure Whitnall remains a place where students succeed and our community thrives. I also serve as an alderman in Franklin, where I focus on responsible, effective governance. With my experience and dedication, I’m ready to keep working for Whitnall’s future.

 
What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?

As a Whitnall Board member, I have delivered strong results for students, families, and staff. Over the past three years, we have reversed six years of declining student achievement, and made improvements to our reading and math programs, setting the stage for continued academic growth. We’ve also made meaningful strides in addressing teacher compensation in a way that’s both sustainable and responsive to staff input. As Board President, I successfully guided the district through a critical leadership transition, overseeing a collaborative and transparent superintendent hiring process that ensured the voices of key stakeholders were heard. I am committed to ongoing success for all Whitnall stakeholders, and if re-elected, I will continue to serve our community with that same focus and dedication. 

 
What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?

I’m a second-generation Whitnall graduate, and now my kids are becoming third-generation Falcons. This district means a lot to me, and I’m honored to serve our community. I’m proud to serve Whitnall and want to keep working to make it a place where students, families, and staff can thrive. Let’s keep building a stronger future together. Vote for Jason Craig on April 1! 

Joseph Hurkman

Why are you seeking election to the Whitnall School Board?

To help bring civility and non-partisanship to the board.

What experience do you have that you believe will make you an effective board member?

Multiple years experience as a supervisor in several fields and the military, as well as fatherhood.

What personal connection/history do you have with the Whitnall School District?

Even though I'm not from the area, my wife and I specifically bought a house in the whitnall school district so when we started a family we would be in a good school district.