Cliff Thompson retires after 28 years

Former Sauk Prairie School District superintendent Cliff Thompson retired at the end of June after 28 years of service to the district and community. Thompson’s education quest took him from Concordia University-Chicago, IL (B.A.) to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI (M.S.) and finally to Edgewood College-Madison, WI (Ed. Leadership Certification and Ed.D.). Although he taught elsewhere as well, his career in the SPSD began as Activities Director 6-12 at the Middle and High Schools (1992-2003), Principal at Black Hawk, Tower Rock, and Merrimac Schools (2003-2005), Community Ed. Co-Director and Merrimac Community Charter School Principal (2005-2007), Spruce Street Elementary Principal (2007-2012), Sauk Prairie School District Superintendent (2012-2019), and Senior Advisor to the Superintendent and School Board this past school year. “I will fondly remember the gifts, talents, and the life-changing contributions of the students and staff in the Sauk Prairie School District along with the love and support the families expressed for their children,” Thompson said in his typical optimistic and energetic manner. His most enjoyable part of working in education has been, “Serving our outstanding students and supporting their devoted families while celebrating the dedicated employees and community partners.” When asked to respond to a question about challenges in education, Cliff answered, “The challenge has been to meet the learning and emotional and social needs of each and every student entrusted to our care. Even though that is a challenge, we never stop trying. Each student is a gift that we will treasure forever. Our calling is to teach and reach until they have the knowledge, confidence and courage to soar and live a life of promise and hope.”  “The (pandemic) challenge has been the uncertainty of instructing and caring for the students during these unprecedented times with an undetermined time frame. The positive has been the collaborative response to be a school district that has provided support in online learning, food services, along with family, student, and employee care,” Thompson responded.  What is Thompson most proud of accomplishing while working in the SPSD? “I am so proud to be a member of the Sauk Prairie community as they place people first. That is practiced in the school district by the fact that the District’s top priority is instructing, supporting and serving our students. Combine this while partnering with our families and we create an optimal environment for learning and growth.” “It has been an honor and privilege to lead, teach and serve in the Sauk Prairie School District and for Cindy (wife) and I to live and raise our family in the community. Sauk Prairie has provided mentors, role models, partners, and friends for me to grow and learn in knowledge and wisdom as I have served in multiple leadership positions during the time of service in the District. Without these people in my life to guide the necessary growth for each position I accepted and served in, I would not have been as able to do this important work in a special place we all love called Sauk Prairie,” shared Thompson. At the June 22 School Board meeting, board members spoke about their appreciation of Thompson. Member Mary Ann Marx said “It feels like we need to have a bigger time and place,” to honor Thompson. She added, “I can’t even being to express appreciation for all that you taught me and all that you’ve been as a mentor friend, and leader.”   Joe Block contributed to this story.