Martha Siravo

Martha Siravo

Nonpartisan

Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education Seat 3

Tenure

2025 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

0

Predecessor: Laura Simkin (Nonpartisan)

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Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 1, 2025

Education

Other

Madison Area Technical College, 2017

Personal

Birthplace

Springfield, IL

Religion

Evangelical Lutheran

Profession

Advocate

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Personal TikTok

Martha Siravo is a member of the Madison Metropolitan School District school board in Wisconsin, representing Seat 3. She assumed office on April 28, 2025. Her current term ends on April 24, 2028.

Siravo ran for election to the Madison Metropolitan School District school board to represent Seat 3 in Wisconsin. She won in the general election on April 1, 2025.

Siravo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Martha Siravo was born in Springfield, Illinois. Siravo earned a degree from Madison Area Technical College in 2017. Her career experience includes working as an advocate.

Siravo has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Madtown Mommas & Disability Advocates
• Wheels & Heels Inc.
• Wisconsin Public Education Network
• Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin
• Disability Pride Fest Madison
• Arts For All Wisconsin
• ILCW Independent Living Center Council of Wisconsin
• BPDD Board for People with Developmental Disabilities
• NSM National Seating and Mobility Consumer Council
• RAB Resident Advisory Council (CDA)
• Madison Parks Foundation

Elections

2025

See also: Madison Metropolitan School District, Wisconsin, elections (2025)

General election

General election for Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education Seat 3

Martha Siravo defeated Bret Wagner in the general election for Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education Seat 3 on April 1, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Martha Siravo (Nonpartisan)	54.5	60,807
		Bret Wagner (Nonpartisan)	44.8	49,951
		Other/Write-in votes	0.8	848

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 111,606
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Martha Siravo and Bret Wagner advanced from the primary for Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education Seat 3.

Endorsements

Siravo received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Siravo's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here.

• State Rep. Francesca Hong (D)
• Madison Metropolitican School District Board Memb. Nicki Vander Meulen
• Madison Metropolitican School District Board Memb. Ali Muldrow (Nonpartisan)
• Dane County, Wisc., Democratic Party
• Madison Teachers Inc.
• Wisconsin AFL-CIO
• Wisconsin Education Association Council
• Wisconsin State AFL-CIO
• Dane County AFSCME
• Madison Teachers, Inc. (MTI)
• Progressive Dane
• Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC)
• Wisconsin Progress

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Martha Siravo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Siravo's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a dedicated single mom and have become a well-known community leader in Madison, typically in areas regarding accessibility or special education advocacy.

My daughter and I are two peas in a pod, I am a wheelchair user due to a traumatic car accident in 2002, and Jaz is a 12-year-old sixth grader with cerebral palsy and epilepsy- we are experts at adapting almost anything at this point- never a dull moment!

My personal experiences as a parent and advocate have fueled my relentless efforts to ensure that all students -especially those with disabilities- receive the support and attention they need to thrive. My daughter's academic journey, which includes an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that provides services and staff to accommodate her while at school, has been my driving passion to make things better for us now and for future students who might have similar needs. I am a peer parent advocate with Madtown Mommas & Disability Advocates, working on the ground with students and parents who need assistance during IEPs, a connection to resources, or troubleshooting with administrative staff.

I am also the founder of Wheels & Heels, which supports adaptive dance across Wisconsin. I train professionally, perform in the community, offer workshops, and look for ways to connect existing studios to embolden inclusion and create adaptive content for people with disabilities.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• As your advocate now or as a future Board of Education member, I pledge to listen to you and work together to find solutions for our children, even if we don’t agree at first. Set High Expectations: Create inclusive, effective and consistent classrooms using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Integrated Comprehensive Systems (ICS) to focus on every student’s learning.
• Support Teachers: Reduce administrative burdens, and provide tailored professional development. Hire more Special Education Assistants.
• Spend Smarter. Advocate Harder: Direct funds to classrooms, technology, and inclusive materials through transparent budgets focused on student success. Actively engage the community, amplify family voices, and work with legislators to secure increased funding for schools.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. Helping Every Student Win

Every child deserves the chance to achieve great things. I will champion teaching methods that work and build classrooms where every student feels included and supported. There is clear and consistent evidence that inclusive educational settings can confer substantial short- and long-term benefits for students with and without disabilities.

Unified Classrooms: Implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Integrated Comprehensive Systems (ICS) across the district to eliminate barriers between Special and General Education.

Actionable IEPs: Simplify Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to focus on each student’s strengths and challenges while reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.

Advanced Learners: Combining

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

As a parent, I suggest looking at what Sesame Street is doing to try to capture characters from all walks of life- including new characters that have an array of disabilities where they find way to talk about what 'normal' is to a particular character, I suggest watching Crip Camp- a film that shows how society has changed in the not so distant future along with all of the activism that needed to happen to create a shift in the way we operate as a community, and to read the book "Sitting Pretty" as it is from a perspective of a young woman who uses a wheelchair.
These are things that I connect to as it makes me feel seen and encouraged to add more creativity and content. If you are interested in looking at my personal content, you can look me up on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok! I believe political philosophy is drawn from our personal and inner passions about how we want others to see us and how we want influence change in those respects.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official must be transparent, ensuring that policies and decisions are clear, accessible, and accountable to the public.

They should be student-centered, advocating for what every student needs to thrive in the classroom- especially those with the highest needs, including students with disabilities, IEPs, and advanced learners. When we support those with the greatest challenges, the entire school community benefits.
They must be supportive of teachers and all other school staff, recognizing and uplifting the essential work they do every day to educate and care for our students.
Collaboration is key. A strong and effective school board values open dialogue, where all voices- students, families, educators, and board members- are heard, respected, and considered in decision-making.

As a school board member, I will strive to be visible and active, engaging directly with students, staff, and families to understand their needs and advocate for meaningful inclusion in our schools. My leadership will be rooted in listening, learning, and taking action to create a stronger, more equitable education system for all.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My unique views as a person with an acquired disability has really given me some a lot of personal experience and empowerment over the years. I am a problem-solver at heart, and strongly believe being an active listener. I hold myself to high expectations every day, I enjoy multitasking, and I don't get easily discouraged. The world needs positivity and inspiration, and I want to be a big part of that while recognizing those same characteristics in those around me.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A school board member must be consistent and fully engaged, attending all meetings, staying informed, and ensuring accountability in decision-making.

It is essential to maintain open communication by following up with students, families, and organizations that have concerns or want to connect, ensuring that every voice is acknowledged and valued.
A core duty is to uplift the voices of those not in the room, advocating for all students- especially those from underrepresented communities- to ensure equity and inclusion in education policy and decision-making.

Above all, a school board member must be committed to do what is best for students while always striving for improvement. Education is dynamic, and we must continuously reflect, learn, and work to do better for our schools, our staff, and most importantly, our students.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered as a fierce momma bear, a disability activist, and an adaptive dance artist!

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was technically working for my dad when he owned his Christian book store, Abiding Word in Watertown. While it was a really great way to instill work values and a general sense of responsibility in a variety of ways, it was a really calm & quiet environment. I have always felt better in places that are busier, which was a key factor when I worked in the kitchen at Luther Preparatory School.
Ultimately, my favorite community job was at Pick'n Save where I started as a Utility Clerk and worked my way up to an Assistant manager when I was 18 years old.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy. She's bad-ass, green, and driven.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

One of my daughter's favorite songs, Smile, by Avril Lavigne.....my daughter is the DJ when we are driving so I get a lot of music repetition from her on a daily basis!

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

I believe the primary job of a school board member is to ensure that students receive the best possible education while maintaining strong financial responsibility. As the 2nd largest district in Wisconsin, MMSD must ensure that funds are allocated effectively to support students, teachers, and school operations while advocating for the necessary resources to meet our district's needs.

A school board member must also advocate for strong, inclusive, and effective curriculum that prioritizes core academic success in reading, writing, and math, while also recognizing and supporting the diverse learning styles and needs of every student.
Beyond academics, a school board member must prioritize teacher recruitment and retention, ensuring that educators feel valued, supported, and have the resources they need to succeed. Maintaining an open and collaborative relationship with MTI and other education stakeholders is critical to fostering a strong, well-supported teaching workforce.

At its core, a school board member's role is to work for the good of ALL, constantly seeking new opportunities to improve education while ensuring that every voice- students, families, educators, and community members- is heard and respected. Education thrives when we create space for open dialogue, innovative thinking, and collective problem-solving.

Who are your constituents?

There is no singular answer to this question because our schools serve the entire community. Constituents include all taxpayers and education voters, as public schools are funded by public dollars and exist to serve the collective good.

Constituents also include those directly engaged with our schools, such as students, educators, school staff, families, and community organizations that support education. Whether it's a student in the classroom, a teacher shaping young minds, a family member attending a school event, or a local organization collaborating with schools- each plays a role in our education system.
Ultimately, schools are the heart of the community. They prepare students for the future while being influenced by the generations that have come before them.

As a school board member, my role will be to ensure all voices- past, present, and future- are recognized and valued in decision-making, so that our schools continue to serve everyone.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Meaningful equity must be at the center of every decision we make as a school district. To truly support the diverse needs of students, faculty, staff, and the community- especially those from marginalized backgrounds, including people of color and individuals with disabilities- we must take intentional, action-driven steps to address disparities and ensure that every individual has the resources they need to succeed.

1. Prioritize Inclusive Education- every student, regardless of background or ability, deserves access to high-quality education that meets their unique needs. This includes advocating for culturally responsive teaching, expanding special education resources, and ensuring students with IEPs and advanced learners receive the individualized support they need. UDL (Universal Design for Learning) would compliment our district and focus on finding ways to engage each student and discover their strengths as early in their academic career.
2. Support Educators and Staff- Our teachers and staff are the foundation of our schools. I will work to ensure that educators receive anti-racist, trauma-informed training, and that staff from diverse backgrounds feel valued, respected, and supported. This includes working to recruit and retain diverse faculty who reflect the students they serve.
3. Engaging the Community- Marginalized voices must be heard and uplifted in decision-making spaces. I will work to create accessible opportunities for students, families, and community organizations- especially those historically left out- to share their perspectives and be part of shaping the policies that impact them.

The core of this work is the belief that when we uplift those with the greatest needs, we strengthen our entire school system.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I'll tell you a story about Jack & Ory, and now my story's begun.

I'll tell you another about his brother, and now my story is done!

(told to me often as a child from my Godfather)

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Nicki Vander Meulen- MMSD School Board, MTI- Madison Teachers Union, Dane Dems, Representative Francesca Hong, Ali Muldrow- MMSD School Board
(to-date)

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Financial transparency is essential for maintaining trust and ensuring that resources are used effectively to support students, educators, and schools. This means maintaining openness in decision-making, asking tough questions, and addressing challenges head-on to ensure responsible fiscal stewardship.

Government accountability is directly tied to our schools, particularly in areas like shared funding and reimbursement for special education services. Our district cannot improve without advocating for better funding structures and pushing for systemic changes.

True accountability requires bold advocacy- taking the conversation beyond normal routine discussions and into spaces where these issues are often overlooked. We must be willing to engage in difficult conversations, challenge the status quo, and push for change at every level to secure the funding and policies necessary to provide a high-quality education for all students, especially in our public schools.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Other survey responses

Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Siravo completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.

• Madison Cap Times
• Vote411 Voter Guide
• Wisconsin State Journal

See also

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