Chris Featured in Support Our Schools Wauwatosa Voter Guide
Thank you to Support Our Schools (SOS) - Wauwatosa for organizing the SOS School Board Candidate Voter's Guide. Download the guide below to learn more about the eight candidates running for school board in the upcoming election. Read the featured responses from Chris Merker, Canidate for Seat 7, below.
Q&A from Chris Merker
1. Summarize your experience, qualifications and community involvement that you believe will help you be a successful board member.
Merker (Seat 7): As a financial advisor, educator, and community leader, I bring over 20 years of experience working with boards and committees on governance, financial sustainability, and mission alignment. I teach governance and finance at Marquette University, co-lead its S-Lab program, and serve on the CFA Institute’s ESG Advisory Panel. My involvement in Wauwatosa schools as a parent and advocate has deepened my understanding of our district’s challenges and opportunities. My focus is ensuring financial stewardship, academic excellence, and alignment with community values.
2. Please describe your priorities for the Wauwatosa School District over the next three years. What are your specific strategies for achieving these goals?
Merker (Seat 7): My priorities include improving academic performance, addressing the district’s budget challenges, and supporting teacher retention. To achieve this, I will advocate for transparent financial reviews, data-driven decisions to address achievement gaps, and policies that foster a collaborative and supportive workplace for educators. I will prioritize engaging the community to align district goals with their needs and values.
3. The WSD Administration has recommended reducing the number of open enrollment students accepted into the district, which would reduce revenue and increase student capacity in our buildings. Considering the impacts, do you support this recommendation?
Merker (Seat 7): I believe the decision must balance financial responsibility with maintaining manageable class sizes and ensuring quality education. I support a measured reduction in open enrollment if data shows it will improve student outcomes, reduce overcrowding, and align with our district's long-term financial goals. Any decision must include community input and a clear understanding of the trade-offs.
4. WSD has aging facilities and varying student capacity in schools (with some schools over-capacity and others under-capacity). How would you address our building needs?
Merker (Seat 7): I would prioritize a thorough facilities assessment to align building needs with projected enrollment and community input. This includes consolidating under-utilized spaces, investing in critical upgrades, and exploring funding options, such as grants and public-private partnerships. The goal is to create equitable, modern learning environments across all schools while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
5. Which school district policies and/or curriculum decisions made by the school board over the past three years would you change, if any? Why?
Merker (Seat 7): I would revisit decisions that deprioritized academic excellence and transparency. For example, eliminating, changing or weakening programs such as “STEM” and “STEM For All” without institutional and community input erodes trust and diminishes educational opportunities. I would advocate for restoring such programs and establishing clear benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum changes.
6. Using the governance tools available to you as a school board member, how would you work to support and improve academic excellence? What specific policies would you recommend/support to improve academic achievement?
Merker (Seat 7): I would champion policies that focus on measurable student outcomes, such as evidence-based interventions for struggling learners and opportunities for advanced students. Regularly reviewing academic performance data, supporting professional development for teachers, and ensuring curriculum rigor will be priorities. Governance tools like performance reviews and strategic planning will guide these efforts.
7. How do you intend to help the district attract and retain teachers?
Merker (Seat 7): I will advocate for competitive pay, supportive working conditions, and a strong professional culture. Prioritizing teacher development, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring clear paths for career growth are essential. Additionally, creating a culture where teachers feel valued and heard will improve retention and attract top talent.
8. Accountability and oversight of the school district and board are important to the community. What suggestions do you have for accomplishing this?
Merker (Seat 7): I will push for transparent governance, including publishing insightful budget reports, creating accessible dashboards for key metrics, and holding regular town hall meetings. Encouraging active participation from parents, teachers, and community members will foster trust. The board must also commit to regular performance evaluations for district leadership, including the board members themselves – something that has never been done, to ensure accountability. Additionally, I would explore breaking new ground with out-of-the-box ideas such as informal advisory boards or the creation of special task forces to break complex problems into digestible and addressable sizes.
