Jonathan Curtis and Melinda Lemke defeated Amber Cox and Jeff Nelson for two seats on the seven-member Wrightstown Community School District Board of Education in Wisconsin on April 1, 2025. Lemke received 28.7% of the vote, Curtis received 25.4%, Cox received 23.3%, and Nelson received 22.7%. Curtis and Lemke, an incumbent, ran a joint campaign for the two seats up for election, with the slogan “TLC for WCSD” meaning “Together for strong schools Lemke Curtis.” All four candidates were on the same ballot, and the two who received the most votes won. The other incumbent, Nelson, was defeated.
The Wrightstown Community School District covers Outgamie and Brown counties in the Green Bay area of Wisconsin. During the 2023 school year, 1,320 students attended one of the district’s three schools.
The school board race happened against the backdrop of a recall campaign against school board president Angela Hansen-Winker. School board member Rayn Warner filed the petition, which alleged that Hansen-Winker misused the board’s legal counsel and investigated former superintendent Andy Space without board approval.
Curtis earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering and worked as a strategic planning manager at the software company Aspen Tech at the time of the election. Lemke earned a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s degree in education, and a master’s degree in library and information science. She worked in education for 25 years. Cox earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human development and worked as a director of employment staffing at the time of the election. Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science and worked as a business owner.
Curtis and Lemke supported the recall against Hansen-Winker. The Green Bay Press Gazette’s Nadia Scharf wrote that Lemke, Warner, and a third board member, Tiffany Van Vreede, “alleged Hansen-Winker relied on the district’s lawyer for personal use, racking up taxpayer-funded legal fees over twice the district’s legal budget for 2024-25.” According to Scharf, Lemke also said “Hansen-Winker has ignored her requests to discuss requiring board approval before obtaining legal services.” Curtis said, “It’s not something that’s retaliation to Andy Space resigning there have been little pieces along the way that have led up to this starting back Angela was an awesome school board member and when she became president this year things kinda of took a turn.”
According to Scharf, Cox told the Press Gazette that “she supports the board’s decisions around former Superintendent Andy Space’s investigation and retirement, which is one of the reasons behind a recall petition filed against Hansen-Winker.” Nelson said, “When issues arise, the board is obligated to consult with attorneys, and we should listen to their guidance. I believe the board acted appropriately and effectively to get ahead of the issue.”
Curtis and Lemke’s campaign website stated, “Why vote for us? Because we don’t run with personal agendas. It’s about caring for everyone—not our own beliefs. We are for the students, staff, and community. We listen, research, and do what is best.” Cox and Nelson each pointed to communication as a priority. Cox said, “We’ve got a great foundation to build on. My first priority is simple: Listen to the community, restore trust, replicate what has gone well and focus on enhancements that optimize student success.” Nelson stated on his campaign website, “I will strive to restore trust between parents and the school board by working to build a positive and open communication channel between the community and the school board.”