SHAWANO, WI- When newly appointed Interim Superintendent Kurt Krizan was preparing for the start of the school year, it was as Director of Personalized Learning. With four new building principals and a large number of new people in administrative roles, Krizan said coming into the year, he was planning on being a support system for the administration. Krizan woke up Friday morning with a new role, but some of the same goals.
“I informed the board that I intend to use servant leadership,”Krizan said. “My number one priority is helping to support our principals so they can help our teachers and our teachers can help our kids.”
Krizan was named Interim Superintendent of the Shawano School District on a unanimous vote Thursday night. “Kurt will have unlimited support from CESA 8,” said board President Mike Musolff. “He will be that position as we evaluate how Kurt is doing in that position.”
Krizan takes over for Randi Anderson who has resigned as of Friday. Anderson came under fire and criticism as the district was facing a large, surprise budget deficit and a wide open flood gate of resignations of staff in the past 8 months. The community also showed their dissatisfaction by attending meetings and addressing issues, signing a petition for her removal and a petition to recall two board members. Anderson was accused of doing similar actions that she did in the district that she did in the Pelican Rapids, Minnesota school district, which led the her leaving there.
Musolff said the district is in the need of some healing from the black eye that it received and that process is now underway. Musolff said the board has complete faith that he will be able to lead the recovery process that the district will be undergoing. “He will start the process of mending all the concerns that are out there and building trust among the community, staff and students.”
Krizan said that process starts with understanding the team that they have in the district. “We hired well and we have a lot of great individuals in those positions, so we have been able to hit the ground running.”
Much like a sports teams that cleans house, fan can not expect a championship season that first year. Krizan said it will take some time to get things back to what the staff and community expect the district to be, but he is up for that challenge. One way that is happening is by how he is spending his day. “The staff is looking at this role being a visible one.” Krizan said he was in all four buildings on Thursday and spent Friday morning helping staff with kid drop-off at Hillcrest Primary School.
Krizan was hired in the Shawano School District 13 months ago as the Director of Personalized Learning, he said when he started, the COVID-19 pandemic had restrictions on how visible administration could be. “That is not the case anymore and it was always my intent that whatever position I was in, I was going to be visible to students and staff.
Krizan said he also told the board that a focus of his would be better communication and making sure that the messages are getting to the correct people. “I have always viewed the Superintendent as that person that connects the school and the community and being a person that can provide the support that is needed so that we can leave an impact on our students,” Krizan said. “I see the role as one that helps foster relationships and remove barriers for our staff so our students can succeed.”
Krizan plans to be as available as he can and can’t wait to get into the classrooms and be active in the community. “I always try to be as transparent as I can and it has always been a focus of mine,” he explained. “We have amazing staff here, and we have to put our focus there,” Krizan said. He also said everyone is going to have to be patient. “We might not have all the answers right now, but we are going to do our best to get some solutions.
He said the last 7 months has affirmed that the Shawano community cares about their students. “They want what is best for the district and we have a supportive community for public education.”
Musolff said he feels confident that is a good way to start the process. “We believe that Kurt will do wonderful job that has occurred within the educational system.”
The next process will include using CESA 8 to help in the hiring of the next permanent superintendent.
Comments