Wisconsin Heights chooses next District Administrator

The Wisconsin Heights Superintendent search all but wrapped up as board president Barb Statz confirmed on Monday, “We have an accepted offer from Michelle McGrath to become our next superintendent.” McGrath brings 27 years of educational experience to the job. McGrath will be replacing interim Administrator Craig Gerlach, who was hired in the wake of Jordan Sinz’s departure in the spring of 2023. After Sinz left, the board conducted its first round of interviews for a District Administrator. In an email to district staff on May 31st of that year, Board President Barb Statz announced there had been a change: “After several hours of interviews, discussion and contract negotiations, our desired candidate chose not to accept the position. While disappointing, the Board is committed to finding someone who is energized to lead and capable of upholding the high expectations we have for our district and its continued progress.” Gerlach was then picked to be the interim District Administrator by the board. Around the same time there were some administrative changes at Wisconsin Heights. Scott Moore, former Elementary Principal, accepted a position with the River Valley School District in August. Dale Green stepped in and now serves as Elementary Principal, and applied to be the new District Administrator. Cheryl Knowles, the Business Manager, also left during the summer. The district hired a consultant and a someone from CESA to assist them with the business side of things and the budget. “When we hire our new Superintendent, we’ll be better situated to identify our needs as it relates to hiring [Knowles’] replacement and what that role will look like,” explained Statz. Greene retired at the last school year; the district internally promoted Kelly Santell to Director of Student Services. Just a few weeks ago, Middle School/High School Assistant Principal and Athletics and Activities Director Kindra Zuberbuehler resigned. Zuberbuehler cited an “unalign[ment]” with the board for her departure. In Zuberbuehler’s absence, Gerlach said “We will meet the needs of our athletic programs by utilizing current staff for the remainder of the year. Much of the work preparing for next year is done, however, it will result in additional responsibilities for a number of staff that have experience with managing athletic events for the next semester. Principal Liz Dostal and I will be involved in any necessary hiring of coaches.” Gerlach spoke more generally about Wisconsin Heights’ more recent staffing changes: “Staffing today in public education continues to be a challenge. Building and sustaining a strong administrative team has a significant impact on quality education. As you are aware, we have experienced administrative turnover which is an increasing theme throughout the state and country. I believe the national tenure of a school superintendent is around three years and the state [average is] five years.  Much like the NFL, gone are the days of educators (players) staying long term in the same school district (team). We have lost an administrator over the past year as a result of retirement, a change of career path interest, as well as stress of the job. This has been an unintended consequence of Act 10. With that said, I am confident that we will build a strong team that will continue to provide great leadership for Wisconsin Heights.” Towards the goal of hiring a new District Administrator the board hired the firm HYA to assist and conduct the search. In November of last year HYA presented the board with a “Leadership Report” which catalogued the district’s characteristics. The report could be used by candidates, in turn, to learn more about the district. In early December HYA presented the four finalists to the board. After a snow-delay, those candidates toured the district for the day on January 10th, and the community got to meet them that evening. The board then met several times and ultimately decided on McGrath. The other finalists--from a “deep slate of qualified candidates,” according to the District, were:   Wisconsin Heights’ Elementary Principal and EC-5 Curriculum Director Dale Green threw his hat in the ring. Green holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. He has been with Wisconsin Heights since 2006. He formerly served as Middle School Principal in Nekoosa School District for three years. Prior to that, he was Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Nekoosa High School for two years. Duy Nguyen holds a Master of Science in K12 & Policy Strand - K12 Principal Certification from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Studies from Teachers College at Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Pre-K – 3 Teacher Certification from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He currently works as the Assistant State Superintendent for Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, where he has been for the last two years. For three years he held the position of Principal at Northside Elementary School in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District. Prior to that, he was Principal for two years at Hawthorne LAB School in Waukesha. Garrett Zimmerman holds a Certification in Educational Leadership-Superintendent from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Masters in Education Leadership Principal and a Bachelors in Secondary Education Social Students both from the University of Wisconsin in La Crosse. He is currently an Elementary Principal in the Neenah Joint School District, where he has been since 2022. For three years, he held the position of Secondary School Principal at the School District of La Crosse Poly Technic Charter School. Prior to that, he was the K-12 Online Principal at the School District of La Crosse, a position he held for one year. McGrath, who holds an Educational Doctorate Degree from Edgewood College, Master of Arts in Education from Marian University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, obviously impressed the board. She is currently a Project Coordinator for Waunakee Community Cares Coalition, where she has been for 2.5 years. She formerly held the position of Executive Director of the Wisconsin Association of School Councils. She held that position for 15 years. Prior to that, for seven years she was an Assistant High School Principal at Waunakee Community School District. At the candidate forum, McGrath told community members in attendance that “Service is one of my passions.” She said she “believe[s] in community,” and “you will see me at all the things.” McGrath told the gathered community members that she was attracted to Wisconsin Heights due to the single campus, the small size, and its high test scores, referring to the district’s high scores at the High School level on the Department of Public Instruction’s report cards. She also recognized, and was asked, about the challenges she might face, such as the lack of housing, issues with retention of quality staff, and the systemic problem of funding. McGrath acknowledged she had never been involved personally in a school district referenda in Wisconsin. She said all-day 4K was “important to have.” The board will hold a meeting soon to approve McGrath’s contract.