As a stay-at-home mom, Melanie Ehrgott brings a unique point of view to the West Bend School Board.
First elected to the board in 2022, Ehrgott has enjoyed her experience on the board thus far. She originally ran to be an advocate for her child who is special needs, and hopes to continue being involved in the community for a second term.
Ehrgott has now been a stay-at-home mom for 15 years. She previously worked as a hairstylist and ran her own business. She graduated from Menomonee Falls High School and attended some college before ultimately deciding on attending school to become licensed in cosmetology.
She has lived in West Bend for the past five years, moving here at the end of 2019. She has five kids, ranging in age from three to fifteen.
Her children did not originally attend the school district, but her special needs child required certain services that the school district could provide. Her youngest child currently attends the district’s Rolfs Education Center for speech.
In her free time, Ehrgott enjoys being active, thrifting, decorating and painting. A particular hobby she enjoys is refinishing furniture. Her favorite genre of music is Christian music, and her favorite book is the Bible, specifically the New King James version.
Ehrgott’s favorite business in West Bend is Dunn Brothers Coffee, with her go-to drink being a lavender vanilla latte. Her favorite West Bend traditions are the Fourth of July parade and the Christmas tree that resides downtown during the holiday season.
How will your credentials and experiences help you be a constructive member of the school board?
FULL TRANSCRIPT: I think that it’s really good that school boards are made up of all different people in the community. I think we’ve already got the lawyer, the doctor, a lot of other things like that–and I think it’s good to have a good parent perspective. So, that’s kind of what I bring. I bring the parent perspective.
A bill passed by the Wisconsin Assembly in February would ban cell phones and other communication devices during instructional time in public schools. What are your thoughts about that proposal?
FULL TRANSCRIPT: I guess I don’t know much about the proposal since I haven’t seen it specifically. I think cell phones in between classes and lunch is fine, but I think during class, it’s good to be focused on schoolwork and not distracted by cellphones. They can be pretty distracting.
What is another significant challenge the district currently faces? How will you address it?
FULL TRANSCRIPT: I think the biggest significant challenge right now is the whole rightsizing and facilities referendum that passed. I just want to be an engaged member, and work through all those challenges and change moving forward. I would say that’s the biggest challenge coming up in the next few years.
Since the board is non-partisan, how will you approach the topic of political division in the district?
FULL TRANSCRIPT: I think that you just have to find a good balance. You’re obviously not going to please everyone perfectly, but if you can find somewhere to meet in the middle on a lot of the issues, in a kind and respectful way, that’s the way to go.
How do you plan to measure and evaluate the success of your tenure on the board?
FULL TRANSCRIPT: I suppose seeing what different goals are moving forward–have they been achieved or not been achieved.
Please say one nice thing about each of your opponents.
FULL TRANSCRIPT: I don’t really know much about Joe but he seems to be pretty positive, based on what I’ve seen on social media or read thus far. A lot of experience in finance and the public sector. I think that’ll be a good fit for the board.
John, I think, has a heart that’s really in the right place. I think he knows what’s important to him and isn’t afraid to go after it. He has a resilience for that.
Read about the school board candidates at The Current. The school board election is April 1.
(Photo courtesy of Melanie Ehrgott.)
The West Bend Current 
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