Maria Carrillo, a Hispanic candidate for the Waukesha School Board, says she is stepping back from campaigning after what she describes as a baseless ethics complaint that falsely frames her job as a conflict of interest.
Carrillo said she learned last week that a request was filed with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission asking for a review of her candidacy based on her employment at La Casa de Esperanza, a nonprofit that operates a charter school. Carrillo insisted the allegations are misguided and misrepresent her role.
“They’re alleging conflict of interest,” Carrillo said to the Waukesha Freeman. “There’s nothing that I’m doing wrong. I haven’t even gotten elected.”
The complaint letter — signed by a parent — asks the commission to assess whether Carrillo’s candidacy poses an actual or apparent conflict under Wisconsin’s Code of Ethics for Local Public Officials. It cites her involvement in enrollment, staffing, public communications, media appearances on behalf of the organization, and a press release issued after the School District of Waukesha voted to close schools with dual-language programs.
“I am submitting this in good faith and for the purpose of ensuring transparency, ethical governance, and public trust in the School District of Waukesha,” the complaint letter said.
Carrillo said critics have incorrectly claimed she oversees the charter school or could use a board seat to influence enrollment. “I don’t oversee the school. I don’t operate the school,” Carrillo said. “I used to do enrollment, absolutely. That was my previous position. I am no longer in that position. So for them to target that … none of that goes to what I do.”
La Casa de Esperanza’s website states Carrillo “serves as the Director of Operations at La Casa de Esperanza, overseeing facilities management, including maintenance, cleaning, and food services.” (RELATED: Anti-ICE ‘Watch’ Group Linked to Woman Killed During Federal Operation)
After the complaint surfaced, Carrillo said she emailed the district to say she would no longer actively campaign, though her name will remain on the ballot. “I decided to not pursue running, which was, it’s a little late because I’m in the ballot anyways,” Carrillo said. “At this point, I am not considering campaigning any longer.”
Carrillo said she has not used her employer to promote her candidacy. “When I decided to run, it was on my own time,” she said. “I’m running on my own, just like a Waukesha County resident who pays property taxes.”
She said that if elected and faced with matters involving her employer, she would abstain, and argued the broader issue is why families feel pushed away from the district. Carrillo said she ran to represent Hispanic families and others who feel disconnected from district leadership, especially those facing language barriers.
“When you don’t see anyone that looks like you in a board, you will be scared to go up and ask a question,” she said. “You don’t feel like you fit in.”
Carrillo described the backlash as personal and overwhelming, especially on social media. “It creates a lot of stress,” she said. “You type my name, and there’s so many articles and posts talking about me and how I’m trying to sway kids away to our school. It’s really unfortunate.”
School board president Kelly Piacsek defended Carrillo’s eligibility, saying, “Eligibility to run for school board is clear and simple. A candidate must be 18 years old and a resident of the district at the time of election. Employment status does not disqualify an individual from seeking local public office, nor does any perceived or actual conflict of interest.
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