A Wausau middle school principal with military experience has been selected to replace Dave Polashek as superintendent of the Oconto Falls School District.
After conducting interviews with two finalists Thursday night, the School Board offered the position to Dean Hess, John Muir Middle School principal.
“There are a lot of good things going on in Oconto Falls. I look forward to working there,” Hess told the Times Herald by phone.
The Oconto Falls School Board on Monday extended a contract to Hess, contingent upon his release from the Wausau School District. At a meeting Monday night in Wausau, Hess was granted that release. His base salary will be $140,000.
School Board President Ron Leja said Hess is a good fit for the district.
“I think his experience in the way he’s dealt with difficult budget and building situations there and where we’re headed here makes him a good choice,” he said.
Leja said the board heard positive feedback about Hess from personnel in the Wausau district.
“He’s very good at looking at all the information with staff and community and doing what’s best for kids,” Leja said. “It looks like he has strong leadership qualities.”
The other finalist interviewed Thursday was Peggy Jones, principal of Bonduel Elementary School. A third finalist opted out of the process before the interview session.
Hess said taking on a superintendent role was something he wanted to do, but he was “pretty choosy” in selecting where to apply. Last year, he applied for an administrator role in the Sturgeon Bay School District.
Hess is a graduate of Elcho High School. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in broadfield science and a minor in biology and military science from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He earned a master’s degree in education leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a doctorate in education leadership from Edgewood College in Madison.
Hess taught high school science in Plainfield before coming to Wausau, where he spent seven years as an assistant principal at Horace Mann Middle School. He has been principal at John Muir Middle School for 10 years.
“My wife and I are both in education,” Hess said. “We’ve devoted our lives to helping children.”
His wife, Lucy, is a school counselor.
In addition to his educational career, Hess served 20 years in the Army Reserves and the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Thirteen of those years were devoted to Army aviation with the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment Unit in Madison, where he was a pit leader, company commander and task force commander, and filled various positions in personnel and training.
Polashek will retire June 30, after a 45-year career in education. He was employed 15 years as superintendent in Wauzeka and is completing his 22nd year at Oconto Falls.
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