This bio is part of Tiger Times Online’s coverage of the 2025 school board election. The election will take place on April 1. For more information, click here.
For a full Q&A with Matt Breihan, click here.
Matt Breihan is one of two candidates running for a seat on District 7’s School Board from outside the largest Edwardsville Township in the 2025 Consolidated Madison County elections, with the other being Jacob Goebel.
Breihan is a former police officer who served at District 7 for six of his 20 years, and is running for the school board due to a “strong desire to continue contributing to the school district and our community.”
“Like many parents, I have concerns about the education my child receives, the district’s safety, and its overall direction,” he said. “I’m running for the school board to deepen my understanding of the district, share my experience and values, and advocate for the community’s interests.”
If elected, Breihan would like to see a policy change which would allow and encourage board members to directly engage with the community and the schools.
“It is essential for board members to connect directly with teachers, school leadership, and students,” he said. “They should not rely solely on the superintendent’s comments and perceptions as their primary source of information. … Instead, they should have a clear understanding of the daily challenges faced by teachers, students, and staff before casting any votes.”
Breihan has mixed feelings on changing the school start times and class schedules — which was the most prevalent issue among polled EHS students — he says other districts have implemented it, but he has concerns that haven’t been addressed yet.
“As a board member, if faced with this decision, I will seek clear answers to my questions and work with the superintendent to find a solution that minimizes the impact on the quality of life for students, staff, and parents,” he said.
Overall, Breihan says that as a former police officer and school resource officer with children in the district that he can bring a wide range of experience and expertise to the board, and that he is “not afraid to say no, challenge the status quo, and advocate for those who have not been heard.”