If you are interested in serving as a school board member, the WCSD has prepared a packet of material that has been compiled to help get you started with your potential candidacy.  All the necessary forms and information regarding becoming a candidate are in this packet.  If you decide to become a candidate and to file the necessary forms, the District Office located at 905 Bethel Circle, Waunakee, WI 53597,  is the proper location to file the documents.
 
Each candidate for school board must collect between 100-200 signatures from qualified electors of the Waunakee Community School District. It is good practice to collect a few more than the minimum required, in case a signature is received from someone who is not qualified to vote. You are eligible to sign your own nomination papers. Nomination papers may not be circulated before Dec. 1.

Anyone can circulate nomination papers for a candidate (provided they are not a convicted felon). Example: a spouse can take papers to work; a friend can take papers to a basketball game, etc. However, nomination papers may not be left unattended. Example: left on a grocery store counter or posted on a bulletin board. Also, candidates may collect signatures from school staff before or after school hours. You may also mail or send via email this form to someone within the district to sign. You must have original signatures, so if you send this form via email it will have to be returned to you in person or mailed to you to turn in.

The forms prescribed by the Wisconsin Ethics Commission for the making of reports and statements under the campaign finance laws are available on the Commission's website.  

The staff in the District Office will make copies of such forms (and certain manuals prescribed by the Ethics Commission) available to candidates and candidate committee treasurers at no charge upon request.

All Nomination forms must be filed, along with a Campaign Registration Statement and Declaration of Candidacy form, with the School District no later than 5:00 pm on the first Tuesday in January (or the next day if the first Tuesday is a holiday) before the spring election (5:00 pm on Tuesday,  January 7, 2025).
 
The following items are required for anyone who would like to be considered a candidate.  The Declaration of Candidacy EL-162SD, Nomination Papers EL-169, and Campaign Finance Registration Statement CF-1L.

The following includes other pertinent information for candidates:

Campaign Finance Checklist and the 2026 Ballot Checklist

Contact the District Administrator’s office if you have any questions.

District Administrator’s Office
Rebecca McDonough, Executive Administrative Assistant
905 Bethel Circle
Waunakee, WI 53597
Phone: 608-849-2000 ext 8681
Fax: 608-849-2354
Email: district_administrator@waunakee.k12.wi.us

The WCSD school district office (905 Bethel Circle, Waunakee, WI) will have printed packets available for pick-up.   The packet may also be found at this link.

2026 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION: 
NOTICE OF INCUMBENTS WHO HAVE FILED A NOTIFICATION OF NONCANDIDACY

Waunakee Community School District 

The following incumbent school board member whose term of office expires in April 2026 and whose seat will be contested at the 2026 Spring Election has filed a Notification of Noncandidacy, as provided under section 120.06(6)(b)3 of the state statutes:

Dawn Heinrichs Board of Education, Village of Waunakee Seat Noncandidacy filed on 12/08/25

The above list reflects filings as of December 26, 2025. The deadline for filing a Notification of Noncandidacy is Dec. 26, 2025.

By filing the Notification of Noncandidacy, the incumbent(s) listed above have given advance notice that they do not presently intend to be a candidate for reelection to their school board office.

Except as otherwise provided under state law, a qualified elector of the School District who wishes to become a candidate and have their name appear on the election ballot for any of the school board seat(s) that will be contested at the 2026 Spring Election must file all necessary forms at 905 Bethel Circle, Waunakee WI by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Additional information about school board elections is available on the District’s website or by contacting the District office at 608-849-2000

 

TO:                 Municipal Clerks and Board Candidates

FROM:           Carlena Eaton, Waunakee Community School District Board of Education Clerk

DATE:           January, 2026

RE:                 2026 SPRING ELECTION

 The following candidates have been certified for the Waunakee Community School District Board of Education position to be elected at large from the Town of Westport and City of Middleton and City of Madison. The candidate’s name should appear as typed on the ballot for the spring election to be held on April 7, 2026 as follows:

Joan Ensign

The following candidate has been certified for the Waunakee Community School District Board of Education the position to be elected at large from the Village of Waunakee. The candidate’s name should appear on the ballot for the spring election to be held on April 7, 2026 as follows:

Kevin Thornberg

 Spring Election – April 7, 2026

If you have any questions, please contact the WCSD Office at 849-2000

 

Copies to:        Candidates                                         Municipal Clerks

                          Joan Ensign                                  Angie Volkman, Town of Dane

                        Kevin Thornberg                       Dianah Fayas, Town of Springfield

                                                                                    Kathleen Clark, Town of Vienna

                                                                                    Karla Endres, Village of Waunakee

                                                                                    Dean A. Grosskopf, Town of Westport

                                                                                    Lorie Burns, City of Middleton

                                                                                    Maribeth Witzel-Behl, City of Madison Clerk

                        Dane County Clerk                          

                        Scott McDonell                                  

                        Patti Anderson                                   

                        Rachel Rodriquez

Spring 2026 election results will be posted after the canvass. which will be held after the April 7, 2026 election.