Introducing the 2026-27 Superior Board of Education
By David Coy
The School District of Superior Board of Education is ready to take on the 2026-2027 school year. Since the latest elections, there are a few new faces in this edition of the school board. Let’s meet the people who will help guide the school district. These responses are the views of each individual board member and do not reflect the School District of Superior or the Board of Education’s policies.
Steve Olson – President steve.olson@superior.k12.wi.us
- Elected: April 2020 (Term ends: April 2029)
- Why did you want to join the school board? In June 2019, Steve retired after a 40-year career in the school district. As he settled down, he realized he missed the day-to-day interactions with students, staff and the administration. In his way of giving back, Steve was elected to the school board and continues to make a difference in the lives of all the children attending Superior’s seven public schools. Steve is a former teacher, paraprofessional, coach, athletic administrator and an Assistant Principal.
- What is one goal you would like to accomplish? As a school district, we are responsible for all students’ access to the best education we can provide. As school board members, we are responsible for providing our teachers, students, administrators community with the resources needed to enhance the learning styles of all of our children. He believes it’s the school board’s responsibility to clearly and concisely communicate the learning expectations of academic excellence while the children in Superior spend their young lives in our schools.
- About Steve: He is married to his longtime wife Wendy and raised three children who attended Superior schools.
Laura Gapske – Vice President laura.gapske@superior.k12.wi.us
- Elected: April 2024(Term ends: April 2027)
- Why did you want to join the school board? Laura joined the school board because her background in domestic violence and child abuse has shown her both the profound impact of trauma and the incredible resilience of children. Laura wanted to bring a trauma-informed perspective to board decisions, while also representing single-parent families, whose voices are often underrepresented. Serving on the board is Laura’s way of giving back by advocating for educators, public schools and the students they support.
- What’s one goal you would like to accomplish? After attending the Wisconsin Board of Education Convention, Laura learned about salary structures that created equity for staff and created with a lens of fiscal responsibility. She anticipates no financial help from the state legislature, so Superior has to be creative to retain quality staff. Superior children deserve the best and her goal is to continue to fight for what they need to be successful.
- About Laura: Laura Gapske has spent more than 20 years working to prevent violence against children and families through advocacy, systems change and restorative justice. She currently serves as a Child Safety Consultant with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, where she facilitates statewide child protection and oversight initiatives. Laura has extensive expertise in child advocacy, forensic interviewing, domestic violence intervention, multidisciplinary collaboration, training,and program development. She holds a Master’s in the Study of Law from Hamline University, and is the proud mother of two soccer-loving young men.
Sara Schubert-McKone – Treasurer sara.schubert-mckone@superior.k12.wi.us
- Elected: April 2025 (Term ends: April 2027)
- Why did you want to join the school board: Communication was at the forefront of Sara’s campaign. As both a community member and a parent of three students, she felt it was important to bring a strong parent voice to the table. Sara wanted to better understand how decisions were made, how the district funds are allocated, and how student performance data impacts our schools and community.
- What’s one goal you would like to accomplish? Communication continues to be one of her primary focuses. While the district has made significant strides in improving communication, there is always room for growth. Sara believes it’s important to be present in our schools and throughout the community, building relationships with administrators, staff, students and parents. Sara hopes to strengthen trust, transparency, and engagement across the district.
- About Sara: Sara is a proud parent of three children in the school district and is married to John McKone, a 1999 Superior High School graduate. Professionally, Sara is a full-time real estate agent with RE/MAX Results and the owner of Simply Superior Nutrition. You can often find Sara attending local events and supporting activities throughout the Superior community.
Shelly Moen – Clerk shelly.moen@superior.k12.wi.us
- Elected: April 2025 (Term ends: April 2028)
- Why did you want to join the school board? Shelly ran for the school board because she wanted to make a meaningful difference. As a parent, community member and experienced leader, Shelly is committed to listening, collaborating, and making thoughtful decisions that support student success, fiscal responsibility and educational excellence.
- What’s one goal you would like to accomplish? Her goal is to help ensure that every student graduates prepared for success in whatever path they choose after high school. Shelly is committed to supporting educational opportunities that build academic achievement, life skills and career readiness so students can confidently meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
- About Shelly: She was born and raised in Superior and comes from a family with five generations from rural Douglas County. Shelly, her husband and two children live on their family’s beef farm. She is a graduate of Superior High School, UW–Superior, and holds a master’s degree in health administration. With 28 years of healthcare experience, including 21 years in leadership, Shelly has developed strong skills in managing people, budgets and complex challenges that has served effectively as a school board member.
Nick Olson nicholas.olson@superior.k12.wi.us
- Elected: April 2024 (Term ends: April 2027)
- Why did you want to join the school board? Nick originally submitted his name for a special appointment because he wanted to get involved and learn more about the educational system.
- What’s one goal you would like to accomplish? Nick really enjoys being in conversations around the district’s budget. He also brings a unique perspective to the district’s Buildings and Grounds department. Nick has discovered a passion for the personnel committee, working with the Superior Federation of Teachers (SFT), and all of the staff that are a part of the district.
- About Nick: Nick and his wife have been married for 19 years and have two children. Matthew is a 2018 graduate, Hattie is attending Superior High School. He owns Anderson & Hammack Construction and Carlson Floor Center. Nick loves to travel, watch sports and spend time with family and friends.
Kathryn Guimond kathryn.guimond@superior.k12.wi.us
- Elected: April 2025(Term ends: April 2028)
- Why did you want to join the school board? Kathryn chose to run for the school board because she cares deeply about the Superior community and has a genuine passion for K–12 public education. Through her work in formal and informal learning spaces and partnerships with school districts, she’s had the opportunity to see firsthand the dedication of teachers and staff and the impact they have on students every day.
- What’s one goal you would like to accomplish? In her second year on the board, Kathryn’s goal is to more directly apply her passion for K-12 public education and professional strengths to support the district’s continued progress.
- About Kathryn: Kathryn is a proud graduate of Superior High School. After nearly 20 years of educational, professional and life experiences elsewhere, she returned to Superior in 2017. Kathryn serves as the Director of the Center for Continuing Education at UW-Superior, where she leads a team dedicated to providing lifelong learning opportunities across the Twin Ports. Kathryn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology, and a Master’s degree in Education. Her background includes working with youth, educators, and school systems — including roles with the Science Museum of Minnesota and the College of Charleston — and has remained closely connected to the School District of Superior through the UWS high school college credit program, a regional grant focused on elevating student voice around climate impact and resilience, and a high school youth leadership program.
Lisa Paulson lisa.paulson@superior.k12.wi.us
- Appointed: June 2026 (Term ends: April 2029)
- Why did you want to join the school board? As a teacher, parent and a researcher in education policy, Lisa has seen education from multiple perspectives. She wanted to serve on the school board to help ensure that board-level decisions reflect the realities of the classroom and are informed by the experiences of students, staff and families.
- What’s one goal you would like to accomplish? Lisa’s goal is to contribute positively to the community by listening, learning, and working collaboratively to support students, staff, families, and our schools. She cares deeply about helping create conditions where students can thrive, educators feel supported, and community members feel informed, heard and connected.
- About Lisa: Lisa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth and previously worked as a public school teacher and coach. She earned her Ph.D. in Physical Education and Physical Activity Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado. Her work has focused on health and physical education, school-based physical activity promotion, policy, and advocacy, with the goal of helping schools create environments where all students can learn, grow and thrive.
David Coy is Communications/PR Specialist for the School District of Superior.
