Oak Creek Guidance Counselor Named Greendale School Board Member

An guidance counselor is the newest member of the Greendale School Board.

The school board on Monday appointed Melanie Kuzmanovic, a mother of three and 20-year resident of the village, to fill a vacancy on the board. She replaces Jim Schutte, who resigned in April because he moved outside of the district.

Kuzmanovic was one of five people who interviewed. Board members asked questions about how to handle budgets, where the district could improve, technology and communicating with parents.

Kuzmanovic has been a guidance counselor at OCHS for more than 20 years. In her interview, she said her role helps her understand the trials and tribulations of working with teachers, students, parents, district personnel and the difficulty of budgets.

Before she was a counselor, she was a manager at Procter and Gamble, where she developed cost-effective programs, she said.

Kuzmanovic has a graduating senior and a freshman at Greendale High School.

"It was a very difficult decision," School Board President Joe Crapitto said. "I was very encouraged that we had a strong number of candidates put themselves forth and throw their names in the ring. I think all the candidates were strong. Any of the five that were there could have easily been contributing members of the board.

"I look forward to working with Melanie. I encourage and hope that the other four candidates stay involved with the education of our community."