A steady, humble voice, presence making lasting impact in Wittenberg

Sue Grossardt

Contributor

April 20, 2026

WITTENBERG – Some people bring a steady, reassuring presence from the moment you begin working or volunteering alongside them.

Jessica White Wing Clark said Laura Magee is one of those individuals – a trusted friend, fellow school board member and a deeply impactful member of the community.

Before retiring from a career in the dental field about 15 years ago, Magee said she balanced her professional responsibilities with family life and community involvement – a commitment she has continued ever since.

Much of that community involvement, she said, has long been rooted in service to the Wittenberg-Birnamwood School Board – 21 years of service that was recently recognized by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards.

Magee said she started getting involved with the school board initially as a concerned parent simply wanting to learn more about what was going on.

“My kids were in fourth and second grade at the time, and things were beginning to change within the district,” she said. “So, I decided to start going to meetings, which I found to be very interesting.”

Describing herself as someone willing to roll up her sleeves, Magee said it’s fulfilling to see efforts come to fruition and know she’s making a positive impact – something that fueled her growing involvement in the community.

The greater good

From the beginning, Magee said she approached her role on the school board with intention and purpose.

“I didn’t get on the school board with my own agenda,” she said. “Many times, people want to be on a board [for more personal reasons], because they don’t like their taxes or they are not in favor of something. But it wasn’t [about] that [for me].”

Magee said her priority was student-centered decision-making, which she found engaging despite the steep learning curve.

“The budgets are always evolving – the formula has changed, and the government changes its federal landscape, so you really have to keep on top of things,” she said. “But that’s where getting on the board gave me more of an insight than when you’re just a person in the audience.”

Magee said she and Clark are the only two women serving on the school board.

“We would sit together as I would [share what I knew] about the whys and hows, and Jessica would nudge my elbow [when things needed a further explanation],” she said. “I kind of gave her a little insight as to how things worked and helped her out a bit.”

Clark said Magee’s impact continues to ripple across the district, influencing decisions that shape its direction – including open enrollment, expanded academic and co-curricular opportunities, the addition of 4-K and early childhood programs and greater financial stability. 

Over time, Clark said Magee’s role has grown alongside the district, giving her a significant voice in leadership searches and critical hiring decisions for superintendents and principals.

Fellow board member Richard Olson describes her as someone unafraid to ask questions, noting that her approach fosters strong discussion and thoughtful decision-making at the board table.

Through her work on the school board, Magee said she has also served on several committees supporting district initiatives, including the Nature Center Committee and the Darwin E. Smith Community Aquatic Center Committee – helping guide projects that enhance educational and recreational opportunities for students and the broader community.

A lifelong learner, Magee said she recently completed Level 2 certification through the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to further strengthen her role in educational leadership.

Extended service

Clark said Magee’s service extends beyond the boardroom into emergency medical response. 

In 2012, Magee became a certified emergency medical technician (EMT), stepping in to help meet a critical need that she said continues today.

“I think I have a sense of empathy,” she said. 

Magee said her interest in serving the medical community – and the motivation behind it – grew organically out of her own household.

“My son had some pretty heavy medical needs, starting when he was in elementary school,” she said. “So, I always was kind of on top of [his] medical needs and knowing the ins and outs of [the circumstances]. I’m not a doctor, by any means, but I lived through a lot of [various] conditions. You could say I may be a kind of ‘Dr. Mom.’”

Before retiring, Magee said she always worked part-time, which allowed her to be available for day shifts as an EMT.

“I knew there was a big shortage trying to cover those challenging hours,” she said. 

Magee said serving the community’s medical needs has always been a central part of her ongoing commitment.

“I always thought it would be a good fit, and I enjoy it,” she said. “It’s exciting and rewarding. It’s  quite a rush.”

Clark said Magee’s dedication spans a wide range of community initiatives, reflecting a longstanding commitment to service across multiple areas.

She said her work has included serving on the Wittenberg Area Historical Society, where she also holds the role of secretary; contributing as a volunteer and committee member with the Walls of Wittenberg WOWSPACE – an event space that hosts concerts, art shows and craft fairs; and previously serving on the CESA 8 Board of Control, where she contributed to regional education leadership.

“In these roles, she contributes her time and energy to projects that celebrate and preserve the community’s history, while continuing to foster both lifelong and new relationships, helping to usher in the next wave of collective community volunteering,” Clark said.

Strong values, steady leadership

Magee said she balances her community service alongside her current part-time work, which includes a position at Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, running a side business on Etsy selling antiques and collectibles and serving as an EMT.

She said her family and its strong roots helped shape her natural inclination to give back. 

Growing up in a family grounded in strong values within a small-town environment, Magee said, influenced her commitment to community service.

The pride of the Wittenberg-Birnamwood community, Clark said, is in large part due to Magee’s significant contributions.

“In communities like ours, progress is often shaped by individuals who quietly give their time, year after year,” Clark said. “For more than two decades of service in leadership on boards and continued involvement across the community, Magee’s steady leadership continues to support and shape all of us.”