Declaring he will not stand watch while public schools go through a “systematic dismantling” due to state funding policies, Dave Polashek last week announced his plan to retire as superintendent of the Oconto Falls School District.
In a letter to the School Board dated March 9, Polashek said support of well-rounded, comprehensive opportunities for students is no longer a financial priority for state leaders, a decision that he said will have long-term ramifications for Wisconsin.
“The state budget currently being considered by the Legislature includes another reduction of public school support for the coming school year,” he wrote in his retirement letter read by the School Board in closed session March 9.
Polashek, 67, will retire June 30.
His retirement will end Polashek’s 45-year career in education, 37 of those years as superintendent. He was employed 15 years as superintendent in Wauzeka and is completing 22 years at Oconto Falls.
“I don’t think there’s any question about it, he’s going to be missed,” School Board President Ron Leja said. “He was a cheerleader for the school district, and I think that showed — his enthusiasm.”
Leja also said Polashek’s impact extended beyond the school.
“His community involvement was just unselfish,” he said, also noting that Polashek is well-respected throughout the state and among his peers.
“I can honestly say there never was a day I did not look forward to coming to work,” Polashek stated in his letter.
Polashek gave credit to board members, administrators, teachers and support staff who helped make the schools great places to learn. He also praised community members who believed that investing time and financial resources in the schools “paid great dividends for society in the long run.”
“Together we have been able to accomplish a great deal and I leave this district in much better shape than I found it,” he wrote. “I am proud of the many accomplishments of teachers and students in this district and will always have many bright memories of the time we had together.”
Leja said programming and student achievement were among Polashek’s highest priorities, which is reflected in the results of the state report card released in September. The Oconto Falls School District reached the Exceeds Expectations rating for the district overall and for three of its four schools.
“He’s always had students in mind first,” Leja said.
The School Board will begin the search for a new superintendent by interviewing consultants at 5:30 p.m. March 24 in the district office conference room. Leja said hiring a consultant is worth the expense, because of the consultant’s experience in attracting and screening candidates.
“It’s a job you want to get done right,” he said.
Leja is the only board member who has hired a superintendent. He was a School Board member when Polashek’s predecessor, Victor Rossetti, was hired but not when Polashek was selected.
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