High school principal accepts new position with DPI

Sharp working with Response to Intervention program
By: 
Miriam Nelson
News Editor

WITTENBERG — Continuous improvement is a theme that has always been a part of Principal Jill Sharp’s career in education.

It is a theme that will she will be taking with her as she leaves her position at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School and begins work as the assistant director of the Wisconsin Response to Intervention program Monday Oct. 7.

During the past eight years at WBHS, Sharp has been working toward better training for teachers and meeting the needs of each student.

“What I’m most pleased with is that we have been working as a team to develop strategies and goals that work for both teacher and student,” said Sharp.
Part of that work includes having in place a checklist for seniors to help make their post-high school goals — whether it’s an apprenticeship or two- or four-year degree.

Twenty-two years ago, Sharp started as a special education teacher in Clintonville and credits the school with the foresight to pair her with a seasoned teacher that first year. She felt it was the best training she could get and helped her develop a deep compassion for students who struggle.

From her position as assistant principal in Shawano to principal in Wittenberg, Sharp has had the opportunity to see firsthand the needs of staff and students and has stayed true to her belief that it’s never OK to just be OK.

“It’s been a ride,” said Sharp. “All of my experience has lead me to this goal of working at the center.”

The center is a federally funded through a grant which functions as an arm of the Department of Public Instruction. It collaborates closely with state initiatives and improvement projects and works with DPI and districts to support schools with research-based models so that all students can reach their potential.

“We’ve already done a lot of system work at WBSD to see that the social, emotional, academic, behavioral and cultural needs are being met.” said Sharp. “The work the center does is the work I believe in, that has to be done.”

Generally positions in education are posted, interviewed and decided in early June or July so that the vacated positions can be filled before the beginning of the school year. Scheduling issues pushed the posting to Aug. 1, and Sharp was not offered the job until Sept. 19. This created an issue for WBSD because the school year is underway and her position needs to be filled, leaving little time for the transition.

According to Superintendent Garrett Rogowski, Birnamwood Principal Bill Hass is moving into Sharp’s position and Randy Berndt, currently a dean of students, will become the Birnamwood principal.

“We are in a bit of a reactionary mode, but I’m very confident Hass and Berndt can lead in these respective roles,” said Rogowski.

The two will need to get acclimated to new staff and the student policies and procedures each building follows, according to Rogowski. The plan is to address the dean position once the administrative team is in place. The position covers both Birnamwood and Wittenberg elementary and middle schools, which is approximately 800 students.

“We feel very appreciative of the leadership Jill Sharp has provided for our district, especially at the high school,” said Rogowski. “She’s been a valuable member of our administrative team.”

He noted that Sharp has moved forward all things academic for staff and students, and though he’s sad to see her go, he knows people need to make decisions in their own best interests.