Madison Reporter

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has appointed Dr. Tracey Scherr as its new director of mental health and well-being, effective immediately. Dr. Scherr was previously the district's mental health partnerships coordinator and brings over 20 years of experience in school psychology, higher education, and community collaboration to her new role.

In this position, Dr. Scherr will lead MMSD's student mental health strategy. Her responsibilities include overseeing trauma and depression screening, implementing school-based mental health interventions, providing professional learning for educators, and maintaining partnerships with healthcare providers and universities. She will also work on integrating behavioral and social-emotional supports across departments while focusing on equity for historically marginalized students.

“Dr. Scherr brings to this important position a deep understanding of school systems and student support, combined with an unwavering commitment to equity,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “Her leadership will help ensure that every student in our district has access to mental health supports that are not only effective but affirming and culturally responsive.”

Before joining MMSD in 2022, Dr. Scherr was the assistant coordinator of the school psychology program at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater for 18 years. There she helped prepare future school psychologists, some now working within MMSD. Her career also includes significant work with K-12 schools.

Dr. Scherr holds degrees from Colorado Mesa University and the University of Northern Colorado in psychology fields and is a licensed national school psychologist with leadership roles at various levels focused on improving mental health services for underserved students.

“Dr. Scherr has the rare ability to build bridges between schools, families, and the mental health community,” said Leia Esser, executive director of student and staff supports. “Her background in higher education and deep ties to MMSD uniquely position her to lead this work with both expertise and heart.”

She succeeds Dr. Kristen Guetschow who retired last month after many years of service.