Milwaukee board elects Zomber president, affirms leaders and freezes member pay for 2026–27

At its annual organizational meeting the Milwaukee Board of School Directors elected Director Zomber as board president and Director Ferguson as vice president and voted not to increase board member compensation for the 2026–27 school year.

The board met in person at the district’s Central Services Building and confirmed nine directors were present, establishing a quorum. The board also noted Spanish interpretation services for the public stream and told viewers the agenda and attachments were available on the district website.

Nominations for the temporary presiding officer produced Director O'Halloran, who was named Chair Pro Tem by unanimous consent to conduct the election of the president. Director Simpson nominated Director Zomber for president; Director Jackson nominated Director Ferguson but Ferguson declined that nomination. The roll-call vote resulted in nine ayes and President Zomber was declared duly elected.

President Zomber thanked Director Herndon for years of leadership and flagged “significant financial challenges, shaped by inadequate state funding,” rising student needs, staffing pressures and aging facilities in Milwaukee Public Schools. Vice President Ferguson also thanked Herndon and said she looked forward to working with the new president.

The board reaffirmed staffing and appointment items for the coming year. The board renewed the contract for board clerk Dr. Tina Owen Moore to serve through June 30, 2027. Under Wisconsin law the board president is an ex officio member of the Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees; President Zomber said it would be an honor to serve as the library representative. The board also reaffirmed Director Fonds as the district delegate to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) until WASB publishes notice of an upcoming election.

Other appointments approved by roll call included reappointing the district’s representative to CESA 1 and naming Director Reza as liaison to the Title I District Advisory Council; each was approved by a 9–0 vote.

The board discussed a list of unfinished business pending as of April 23, 2026. Administration recommended referring items 1 and 2 back to committee, placing item 3 on file because it will be addressed in the FY 2027 budget cycle, and holding item 4 as ongoing work with anticipated completion in June 2026. On a motion from Director Seamsen the board voted 9–0 to hold items 1, 2 and 4 as recommended.

The board waived Board Rules 1.01, 1.02 and 2.02 and adopted the tentative 2026–27 board calendar by a unanimous roll call vote.

On board compensation — reviewed annually per board direction — staff noted current pay is $23,095 for regular board members and $23,790.19 for the board president. Director O'Halloran moved not to adjust compensation for 2026–27. Director Ferguson offered a substitute to consider the topic in July after budget work; the substitute failed on an 8–1 vote. The original motion to leave compensation unchanged then passed 9–0.

Finally, the board referred one resolution — Resolution 26-27-R-001, on developing a school climate and culture measurement and improvement plan — to the committee on student achievement. The meeting adjourned with no further business.

Votes at a glance:
- President (election): Director Zomber elected, roll-call vote 9–0 in favor.
- Vice president (election): Director Ferguson elected, roll-call vote 9–0 in favor.
- CESA 1 representative: reappointment approved, roll-call vote 9–0.
- Title I District Advisory Council liaison: Director Reza appointed, roll-call vote 9–0.
- Unfinished business disposition (items 1, 2, 4 held; item 3 placed on file): motion passed, roll-call vote 9–0.
- Tentative 2026–27 board calendar (waive rules): adopted, roll-call vote 9–0.
- Board compensation: motion to delay consideration to July failed 8–1; motion not to adjust compensation for 2026–27 passed 9–0.

What’s next: The board referred Resolution 26-27-R-001 to the committee on student achievement; other referred items will return to the appropriate committees or be placed on file per the administration’s recommendations.