Greetings Yorkville Parents, Community, Staff, and Students:
I am so excited to serve as your superintendent.
Effective June 30, 2021, as a retired superintendent in Wisconsin, I have reached the point in life where I can be selective. When I decided to retire, I strongly suspected I would continue to work in the field of education. I was uncertain if my part-time path would be teaching graduate level courses to aspiring principals and superintendents, serving as an educational consultant, or tackling an interim position as a principal or superintendent. I did not know where, when, or why, but I had faith I would be led to the opportunity. I trusted the right match would present itself. It did.
A few opportunities were presented to me but it was evident to my wife (Ann) and I that these did not fit my strengths and purpose. Patience persevered and the School District of Yorkville became the fit. I am so confident this is a match. The interview, the tours, the conversations, the interactions with students, staff, and parents, and the smiles were comforting. The needs of our Yorkville community appear to fit my wheelhouse. I am excited for the challenge, relationships, adventure, and student-centered successes.
I have served in public education since 1989 with the bulk of my career in Jefferson, WI. Teaching science and coaching baseball were my beginnings in the late 80’s and 90’s. All in Jefferson, I then served as high school associate principal, high school principal, middle school principal, back as high school principal, and most recently as superintendent. It has been so rewarding. Relationships with students, staff, parents and community members fueled the drive for success. I aspire to experience the same in Yorkville. The Yorkville tours and interactions of the staff, students, and community resonated with me as important. Yay Rams! Yay Broncos!
My wife, Ann, served 18 years as the administrative assistant of Sullivan Elementary School in the School District of Jefferson. Yes, my wife was my employee but more importantly my best friend! We live in the small town of Sullivan which is a part of the School District of Jefferson. We live in a small 1878 farm house that was in significant need of TLC. We have poured blood sweat and tears into the home and property to make it a wonderful and beautiful home.
We have a daughter, Ashley, who is married to her husband, Chris, and two grandkids. We have a son, Mitch, who is married to his wife, Kate, and two grandkids. Additionally, my mom, Donna, and dad, Chuck, live in Oconomowoc and very close to us. Family is super important to us. I have already learned that the board of education is in need of a long term strategic plan complete with goals and actionable steps to achieve those goals. This is something I have done before and am confident to bring to Yorkville. Additionally, as I understand it, we are in need of a long term facility and grounds maintenance plan. This too is important to the long term vitality of a school system.
Lastly, but most importantly, student opportunity and achievement must always be front and center with well-thought-out actionable steps to reach those goals is important. I intend to listen to staff, students, parents, board members, community members, and business partners.
This approach may seem slow but methodically we can then establish a strategic plan complete with goals and action steps to achieve agreed upon outcomes.
I look forward to working with you all!
Go Rams!
Mark
|