The Board of Education for the West Bend School District announced today that Erik Olson will serve as the Superintendent of the West Bend School District starting July 1, 2016. Olson replaces Ted Neitzke, who will begin his new role as Chief Education Officer at CESA 6. Neitzke has served as the superintendent since 2011.
“The school board conducted a very thorough recruiting process, with significant community input, and Erik Olson stood out as the candidate considered best qualified to lead the West Bend School District as Superintendent,” said Rick Parks, School Board president. “He brings extensive classroom experience which complements his deep administrative background. I’m excited to begin working with Erik.”
The Board approved a two-year contract for Olson with a salary of $155,000.
“I felt a positive connection to this dedicated and mission-driven board and feel that the West Bend School District is absolutely the right move for me,” Olson said. “The organizational values and philosophy guiding the West Bend School District align with mine, particularly those centered on fostering and supporting a collaborative, professional culture that helps all children pursue excellence. I look forward to connecting with people in our schools and in our community and welcome the opportunity to serve the students, teachers, staff and citizens of the West Bend School District.”
Since 2014, Olson has served the Sun Prairie Area School District as the Assistant Superintendent for Operations and Continuous Improvement. In 2013-2014, he served the Sun Prairie Area School District as the Director of Assessment and Continuous Improvement. Olson has also worked as a consultant for Performance Fact since 2012, offering support to educational leaders to build stronger schools and accelerated learning.
Prior to his work with the Sun Prairie Area School District, Olson served as principal at Bay Lane Middle School for the Muskego-Norway Schools from 2008 – 2013. From 2005-2008, Olson served as Associate Principal at Greenfield Middle School in Greenfield, Wisconsin. He was an adjunct professor with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from 1997-2005. From 1998-2005, Olson taught eighth grade mathematics, social studies and literacy at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse. From 1994-1998, he served as a Reading Specialist at ISD 300 in Minnesota. Olson began his career in education as a reading teacher at Black River Falls Middle School in Wisconsin in 1993.
“In our interviewing process, it was quickly apparent that Erik Olson cares deeply for the education of all students, emphasis on the ‘all,’” said Therese Sizer, School Board member. “He has the talent, compassion and energy to work with the Board, staff, teachers and the community to continue leading a great school district.”
“During the interview and selection process, it became apparent to me that Erik Olson fit all the criteria we set out as a board, staff and community,” said Monte Schmiege, School Board member. “He is thoroughly dedicate to students and all stakeholders. He is personable and will be able to represent the district well. He is nothing but professional and extremely knowledgeable. I look forward to working with him”
Olson received his Superintendent Certification from Viterbo University in December 2015. He earned his Educational Leadership Certification from Viterbo University in May of 2005. He also received his Master of Science in Reading with a Reading Specialist certification from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1996. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in December 1992.
Olson’s professional accomplishments include:
· Contributing author for two articles, “Mississippi River Chautauqua…Past, Present, and Future” and “The Wolf Pack: Power Shared, Power Earned – Building a Middle School Nation.”
· Facilitator for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
· Facilitator for the Action Research for Learning Community.
· Presenter for Integrating Reading and History at the Wisconsin Association for Middle Level Education (WAMLE) State conference
· President of Phi Delta Kappa Chapter 1081
· Member of the City of Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Commission
· Examiner for the Wisconsin Forward Award
· Member of Community Schools Executive Team
· Member of Literacy Curriculum Revision Committee
· Facilitator for Mathematics Curriculum Revision Committee
· Member of Shared Decisions Team
· Supervisor of Pre-Service Teacher
Olson’s professional memberships include American Society for quality (ASQ), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials, Wisconsin Center for Performance Excellence, and Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association.
“I am very thankful for the leadership and efforts that Rick Parks put forth throughout the search process,” said Ryan Gieryn, School Board member. “Rick put a lot of time and consideration into the whole process which, in the end, resulted in a fairly smooth process for the rest of the board members.”
Bart Williams, School Board member added, “I sincerely appreciate Ted’s support for innovative methods of student learning, staff morale and retention, and building partnerships within our community. He will be missed.”