April 1 Spring Election - MAPS Board of Education race

On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, residents in the Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) District will go to the polls to elect three individuals to the MAPS Board of Education. Four candidates are in the running for those three spots. Candidate profiles for each of those four candidates follow. Reminder: Voters will be asked to VOTE FOR UP TO THREE candidates.
Brady Loos is challenging incumbents Paul Proulx, Jacqueline Gremler, and Jon Smith for three open positions on the MAPS Board of Education.

Name: Brady Loos
Age: 27
Family: Parents Steve and Marta Loos, grandparents Bill and Laurie Johnston

Employment/position: Attorney with the Wisconsin State Public Defender Agency
Past or present elected offices held, dates served: None
Membership in religious, service, fraternal, etc., clubs or organizations, and offices held, dates served: Member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Lincoln County Bar Association, Volunteer for Merrill Golf Booster Club
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: Having been born and raised in Merrill, I attended Merrill Area Public Schools from kindergarten through high school. After graduating from Merrill High School, I attended UW-Madison and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. I then received my Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. After law school, I moved back to Merrill, the community that I love, to begin my career as a criminal defense attorney. I decided to run for MAPS School Board because I believe we need a younger perspective. My education through Merrill schools gave me many opportunities and laid the foundation necessary to become a productive member of our community. I believe that every Merrill student should have access to the same opportunities that I was presented. Whether students decide to pursue post-secondary education in the form of college or trade school, or enter the workforce, I believe we should be doing everything we can to set them up for success. Beyond supporting students, I believe we need to emphasize support for our educators and other district employees, along with students’ families. If I am elected, I intend to prioritize student success, employee support, school safety, and fiscal responsibility. I humbly ask for your vote during the April 1st election.

Name: Paul C. Proulx (incumbent)

Age: 77
Family: Wife Cheryl Proulx, three daughters, four granddaughters (including a set of triplets), and two grandsons
Employment/position: Retired - self-employed
Past/present elected offices:
– Held four years as Sheriff of Lincoln County 1997-2001
– Six years as a member of the Merrill City Council 2002-2008
– Lincoln County Coroner 2005-2023
– Merrill Area Board of Education two terms with second term 2018-Present
– Northcentral Technical College Board of Trustees 2005-Present (Current Board Chair)
Other memberships/offices: Member of Saint Francis Catholic Church, member of Father Rene Menard Council Knights of Columbus, member of Merrill Lions Club, and member of Lincoln County Sports Club
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: I have spent a majority of my life believing in the need for education. With my experiences, I feel I can offer knowledge learned from my time working for the public in all the areas I have been involved in. Education is not just one time in your life but is a life-long learning process. I will continue to work for the people of the Merrill Area Public Schools to reach the goals that will make our children productive members of society. Thank you for your support.

Name: Jon Smith (incumbent)
Age: 52
Family: Wife Michelle Smith, two adult children Mason (25) and Allison (23)
Employment/position: Chemistry/Physics Teacher, Newman Catholic High School - Wausau. Administrative Pharmacist, Young’s Drug Stores - Wausau

Past or present elected offices held, dates served: MAPS school Board 2016-2021 serving as Treasurer and Vice President. Resigned in Oct, 2021 to focus on obtaining a teaching license. Reappointed May 2024 due to a vacancy.
Membership in religious, service, fraternal, etc., clubs or organizations, and offices held, dates served: Current member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Wausau. Past President, St. John Lutheran Church Merrill, 2021-2023. Central Wisconsin Education Theater Alliance musical set designer and carpenter, 2018-2024. DC Everest set designer and carpenter fall 2024.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: When a vacancy occurred April, 2024, I applied to be reappointed as to offer the Board an experienced replacement as I always enjoyed serving on the Board. It is my hope that my new role in teaching and my past experience in business provides a worthy, balanced contribution to Board discussions and decisions. Merrill is blessed to have a very well-functioning Board which demonstrates the utmost professionalism to each other and to those it serves. I wish to continue to foster those ideals. I would describe myself as a fiscal conservative and believe the district has made considerable efficiencies without sacrificing the student experience. I am a proponent of balanced budgets, operating within the monies granted, and designing the district to reflect the priorities of the Merrill community. I value technical education and preparedness to enter the workforce or trades at the same level as pursuing a college degree. Merrill has always held their schools in high regard with an expectation that students might achieve lofty goals. I would welcome the opportunity to ensure that continues.

Name: Jacqueline Gremler (incumbent)
Age: 41

Family: Spouse Bob Gremler, children Abner (11) and Milo (8)
Employment/position: Children’s WI, Child Advocacy Center of NCW, Forensic Interviewer and WI Department of Justice (DOJ) Training/Curriculum faculty member
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a focus on Children, Youth, and Families, from Southern New Hampshire University. Additionally, I am a Certified Social Worker in the State of Wisconsin. For the past 12 years, I have worked at Children’s Wisconsin, Child Advocacy Center of North Central Wisconsin, as a Forensic Interviewer. In this role, I conduct developmentally sensitive, legally sound, trauma-focused interviews of children, adolescents, and delayed adults who are alleged victims of abuse or witnesses to criminal activity. These interviews are recorded with both video and audio.
Beyond interviewing, my responsibilities include facilitating and coordinating best practice responses in criminal and child abuse investigations, providing training and education on abuse and maltreatment to professionals and community members, and organizing case reviews and multidisciplinary team meetings. I also provide fact and expert testimony during court proceedings.
Past or present elected offices held, dates served: MAPS School Board Member December 2021-Present, serving on the MAPS Policy and CTP Committees
Membership in religious, service, fraternal, etc., clubs or organizations, and offices held, dates served: Currently serving as a member of St. John’s Eagle’s N.E.S.T., American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Lincoln County Multidisciplinary Team, Marathon County Sexual Assault Intervention Team, Marathon County Sexual Assault Response Team, Marathon County Multidisciplinary Team, Marathon County Anti-Human Trafficking/At-Risk Youth Task Force, and Marathon County Drug Endangered Children Team.
Why have you chosen to run for the office you seek: “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” -Nelson Mandela
This powerful quote reminds us of our collective responsibility to humanity to create a better future for our children. As our world and community evolve, we need leaders who are collaborative, innovative, and firmly rooted in strong values to continue building a brighter tomorrow.
As a parent of two children currently navigating their educational journeys in this district, I am deeply invested in the success of our youth. I am passionate about supporting public service workers and the broader community. As both a parent and an advocate for children, my priority is to ensure that every student receives the support they need to thrive. I recognize that empowering our school employees is essential to student success and that meeting the individual needs of students strengthens the fabric of our entire community.
With my background as a social worker, I understand the importance of addressing these needs in a thoughtful, strategic way. I believe I bring a unique perspective to the Board, helping to guide both short-term decisions and long-term growth for our district and students.
For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving on the School Board, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue this important and meaningful work. I would greatly appreciate your ongoing support in this next chapter.