About US

Brian Kersten

Brian has been an educator for over three decades. He served as the principal of Waunakee Community High School for 26 years until his retirement in 2019 and was named the State of Wisconsin High School Principal of the Year in 2001. Currently, he mentors new teachers in the district and coaches new building administrators through the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators. Brian and his wife, Julie, live in Waunakee. They have two adult children, Marjorie and Nathan, and a young French Pointer named Dash.

Tim Decorah

I recently retired from a 32-year career in public education, which began in August 1992 in the small school district of Hillsboro, Wisconsin. After three wonderful years there, I joined the Waunakee Community School District, where I spent the next 29 years as a teacher, coach, advisor, mentor, and colleague. Over the past two years, I have also worked as a keynote speaker, sharing my story of mental illness and recovery with communities, businesses, school districts, and universities across Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. I am passionate about using my experiences to support others and foster understanding around mental health. I hope to bring a skill set that aligns with the vision, mission, and values of the WCCC and look forward to the work ahead.

Maddy Zaleski

I graduated from Waunakee High School in 2021 and went on to attend Madison College before earning my degree in Psychology from Edgewood College in 2025. I am currently pursuing a graduate degree in the Family & Marriage Therapy Program at Edgewood College. During high school, I was actively involved in the ATI group for all four years. Now, I serve as the Advisor for SEE (Students Empowering Each Other) at Waunakee High School. I am passionate about supporting student well-being and fostering a positive school community.

Jeff Lafferty

Jeffery S. Lafferty serves as the Executive Vice Board Chair for WCCC. He is an environmental epidemiologist for Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC), where he provides data and policy analysis support. Prior to joining PHMDC, Jeffery worked in cancer research and pharmaceutical development. His current focus is on environmental health and policy for Dane County. He was also involved for nearly a decade in developing the Dane County Youth Assessment, which is administered in middle and high schools throughout the county, including Waunakee High School.

Jessica Arline

 I currently work for the Waunakee Community School District as the ATODA Prevention Coordinator, Homeless Liaison, and 4K Social Worker. I am originally from Monroe, Wisconsin but got my Bachelors in Social Work & Gender and Women's Studies and then Masters in Social Work from UW-Madison. I like reading, taking care of my houseplants, and going on walks with my dogs. 

Tanner Weber

Tanner Weber serves as the School Resource Officer for the Waunakee School District. He holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. His graduate research examined law enforcement responses to school violence incidents. Officer Weber has contributed to the community through coaching high school wrestling and football, as well as working with his local church youth group. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and has presented within the Waunakee School District on topics including alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA), sexual assault laws, the Fourth Amendment in law enforcement, and cybercrime. Dedicated to fostering a secure and supportive educational environment, Officer Weber seeks to share his expertise with the WCCC and to provide resources that support the safety and well-being of students and the broader community.