UPDATE: Cale Bushman Announced as Official Superintendent of the Wausau School District (December 17, 2024)
We have an exciting announcement to share with you! During the School Board Meeting on December 16, 2024, members named Cale Bushman the official Superintendent of the Wausau School District!
“As a school Board, we have had the unique opportunity to watch and evaluate for the past several months a person in action. On behalf of the Wausau School District School Board, it is my privilege to identify Mr. Cale Bushman as our next Superintendent of Schools for the Wausau School District. Cale has demonstrated exceptional leadership as Interim Superintendent of the Wausau School District over the last 6 months,” said Wausau School Board President James Bouché. “We know that he will continue to do incredible work; guiding and positioning the Wausau School District for success.”
“I am honored to have the opportunity to officially serve as the Superintendent of the Wausau School District,” said Mr. Cale Bushman. “I remain committed to continuously developing our great schools through strong partnerships with our school board, staff, parents, students, and community as a whole. I am excited to continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to create a long-term vision for our school district that’s built upon transparency, integrity, and trust.”
Back in March of this year, the Wausau School Board announced that Mr. Bushman was hired to serve as Interim Superintendent following the retirement of Keith Hilts. Mr. Bushman has an extensive background in education that spans more than 20 years; most of which have been spent in the Wausau School District. In addition to serving as the Director of Pupil Services, he was also principal of Wausau East High School, principal of Eau Claire North High School, former Associate Principal of Pupil Services at Wausau West High School, as well as having experience as a Special Education teacher and coach.
CONGRATULATIONS, CALE!!
Job Posting (Application Window Closed Friday, March 15, 2024)
UPDATE on Wednesday, March 20: The Wausau School Board will convene into closed session once again pursuant to State Statutes: "to review applicant materials, consider applicants for possible interviews, and may select applicants to interview for the position of District Administrator Wis. Stat. s. 19.85(1)(c)" on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
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During a special meeting of the Wausau School Board on Monday, March 18, 2024, members convened into closed session pursuant to State Statutes: "to review applicant materials, consider applicants for possible interviews, and may select applicants to interview for the position of District Administrator Wis. Stat. s. 19.85(1)(c)."
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The Wisconsin Association of School Boards' (WASB) Involvement in the Search for a New Superintendent
The Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) hired to help with the Wausau School District's search for a new superintendent. The organization was established in 1921. Their mission is to support, promote, and advance public education. Superintendent searches are something they offer to school districts across the state and have since 1991. In fact, WASB has conducted more than 425 superintendent searches since 1991.
What was the Superintendent Search Process?
Staff and community input were critical to the process -- and with the help of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, the search was advertised and conducted on a national basis.
Superintendent Selection
The process to find the Wausau School District's next superintendent was discussed in great detail during the Education/Operations Committee Meeting on Monday, January 22.
Full Timeline of Events
Public Announcement
Search Process:
- Initial Meeting with the Board: Happened Monday, January 22, 2024. Click here to watch the discussion.
- Community Survey - Closed Thursday, February 8.
- Focus Groups: Professional Staff, Support Staff, Administrative Team, and Board. These focus groups were held the week of February 5-9.
- Meeting to Review Focus Group Results/Application Questions on February 15.
- Application and Brochure Posted: February 22, 2024
- Application Deadline: Friday, March 15, 2024
- Applications reviewed: Monday, March 18, 2024 and Thursday, March 21, 2024.
- Superintendent Search Closes: Thursday, March 24.
- Announcement of Interim Superintendent: Friday, March 22, 2024.
School Board Meeting Discussions
Announcement of
Dr. Keith Hilts' Retirement
WAUSAU, WI -- In closed session on Monday, December 18, the Wausau School District Board of Education accepted the notice of retirement of Dr. Keith Hilts, who plans to step down as superintendent effective June 30, 2024.
"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the incredible staff, students, families, community members, and Board of Education members I have worked with and met during my time in this amazing school district community," said Dr. Hilts.
"While I look forward to retirement, there is still much work to be done in the 2023-2024 school year. My commitment will continue to be doing everything I can to lead this school district effectively and keeping our collective focus on student learning and growth."
The board will immediately begin the process of searching for and hiring the district's next superintendent.
"On behalf of the board, I want to thank Dr. Hilts for his outstanding leadership of the Wausau School District over the past six years," James Bouché, Board President. "His steadfast commitment to our students, families, staff, and community have led our district through some difficult times, and he has always kept the focus on student learning and growth. We appreciate all he has done for our schools."
Dr. Hilts began serving as superintendent of the Wausau School District in July 2018.