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Joey Balistreri
Joey Balistreri was a candidate for District 7 representative on the Milwaukee Public Schools school board in Wisconsin. Balistreri was defeated in the by-district general election on April 4, 2017.
Biography
Balistreri moved to Milwaukee in 2016. His work experience includes serving as a teacher through Teach For America and as an instructional coach for teachers in Indianapolis Public Schools. Balistreri earned a bachelor's degree in violin performance from George Mason University. He and his husband have one son.[1][2]
Elections
2017
Four of the nine seats on the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of School Directors were up for general election on April 4, 2017. In her bid for re-election to District 4, incumbent Annie Woodward defeated challenger Aisha Carr. In District 5, incumbent Larry Miller defeated challenger Kahri Phelps Okoro. District 6 incumbent Tatiana Joseph and District 7 incumbent Claire Zautke did not file to run for re-election, leaving both seats open for newcomers. Tony Baez and Jonatan Zuñiga ran for the District 6 seat, and Joey Balistreri and Paula Phillips ran for the District 7 seat. Baez and Phillips won election to the board.[3][4]
Results
| Milwaukee Public Schools, District 7 General Election, 4-year term, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Paula Phillips |
61.24% | 3,512 |
| Joey Balistreri | 38.24% | 2,193 |
| Write-in votes | 0.52% | 30 |
| Total Votes | 5,735 | |
| Source: Milwaukee City Election Commission, "April 4, 2017 - Spring Election: Final Official Results," accessed May 2, 2017 | ||
Funding
Balistreri reported $14,534.95 in contributions and $14,534.95 in expenditures to the City of Milwaukee Election Commission, which left his campaign with a $0.00 balance in the election.[5]
Endorsements
Balistreri was endorsed by the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (MTEA), the Milwaukee Administrators & Supervisors Council, and the Shepherd Express.[6][7][8]
Campaign themes
2017
Balistreri highlighted why he ran for school board on his campaign website:
| “ | As a teacher, I worked every day to ensure my students received a quality education. As a union member, I worked for my school to ensure our voices were heard. As a teacher-coach, I ensured my teachers were supported as they raised student achievement.
As the parent of a special needs child, I advocate for my son to ensure he is afforded the same opportunities as his peers. Now—as a School Board candidate in our district—I advocate for you and your family to ensure Milwaukee Public Schools are the best in Wisconsin. I am neither a career politician nor a partisan politics insider; I am an educator and product of life-changing teachers. Let’s work together to ensure we increase enrollment in MPS, focus on high-quality early childhood education, ensure accountability at all levels of MPS, and recruit and retain great educators. This election is about perspective and priorities—and I want to hear yours. I believe in our teachers. I believe in the power of our community. I believe in MPS. But most of all, I believe in our kids. That’s why I am asking for your continued support, your voice, and your vote for the District 7 seat of Milwaukee School Board on April 4, 2017.[9] |
” |
| —Joey Balistreri (2017)[10] | ||
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Balistreri Milwaukee School Board District 7, "About Joey," accessed March 23, 2017
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Eight candidates vie for four Milwaukee Public Schools board of directors seats," March 19, 2017
- ↑ City of Milwaukee Election Commission, "2017 Spring Election Candidates," accessed January 4, 2017
- ↑ Milwaukee City Election Commission, "Latest Election Results: April 4, 2017 - Spring Election," accessed April 4, 2017
- ↑ City of Milwaukee Election Commission, "Campaign Finance Reports 2017 Election Cycle," accessed August 1, 2017
- ↑ Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, "MTEA Endorsements," accessed March 14, 2017
- ↑ Facebook, "Joey Balistreri for Milwaukee School Board post from January 24, 2017," accessed March 14, 2017
- ↑ Shepherd Express, "Four School Board Seats Up for Election on April 4," March 28, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Balistreri Milwaukee School Board District 7, "Why I'm Running," accessed March 14, 2017
| Milwaukee Public Schools elections in 2017 | |
| Milwaukee County, Wisconsin | |
| Election date: | April 4, 2017 |
| Candidates: | District 4: • Incumbent, Annie Woodward • Aisha Carr District 5: • Incumbent, Larry Miller • Kahri Phelps Okoro District 6: • Tony Baez • Jonatan Zuñiga District 7: • Joey Balistreri • Paula Phillips |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
