Schools

New Elmbrook Superintendent Welcomes Challenges, Invites Input

New Elmbrook Superintendent Mark Hansen thanks many people for helping in his transition and outlines areas where he plans to focus his efforts. He also invites people to follow him on Twitter at @ElmbrookSUP.

Editor's Note: Below is a message from new Elmbrook Schools Superintendent Mark Hansen as he looks forward to the start of the 2012-13 school year and advancing the district's mission.
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It is with great humility and honor that we begin our journey toward continued excellence together. As each of us has a stake in the district’s future, I look forward to collaborating with you to deliver on our mission – to educate and inspire every student to think, to learn, and to succeed. It is a true privilege to be joining the School District of Elmbrook, and I am fully committed to working with the entire community toward high standards, collaboration, and innovation.

The transition to the School District of Elmbrook has been very rewarding. I've had the opportunity to spend time in the district at athletic and fine arts functions, Board meetings, administrative hiring sessions and other meaningful events. I am getting to know the key leaders in our schools and across the entire district, which will prove invaluable on our journey toward excellence. The opportunity to interface with the Board of Education, community leaders and members of our administrative team has helped add context to the superintendent transition and I am thankful to each individual who has taken time out of their busy schedule to meet with me and members of our transition team.

During the transition we've had the chance to identify a few key areas where rapid results will be our focus early in the 2012-2013 school year. First, we will work extensively on identifying and launching an ongoing, focused continuous improvement system for our schools and each district department. Secondly, we will work quickly to respond to the changing landscape regarding performance appraisal for our three largest groups of employees – teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators. Additionally, we will increase the visibility and accessibility of our district office leaders to help with implementation of the aforementioned efforts. Finally, we will begin a five-year journey on establishing a guaranteed and viable curriculum that includes interventions for all students.

I would like to extend a special thank you to outgoing Superintendent Dr. Matt Gibson and the district administrative team for their generous help and support during the superintendent transition. I could not imagine a more helpful, dedicated and supportive team during such an important time period in the district. From face-to-face and digital communication to on-going and regular meetings with various constituent groups, everyone on the team has been especially patient with the questions and comments that are inherit to transition periods.

At any time, please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss how we can work together to have an even greater level of success on our journey toward excellence for Elmbrook.

Mark Hansen became Elmbrook's superintendent effective July 1 following Dr. Matt Gibson's retirement. Visit www.elmbrookschools.org/superintendent for Mr. Hansen's Superintendent Entry Plan and updates to stakeholders.

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