By Jacob Mathias

At their first official meeting with new interim Superintendent Dr. Lee Bush, the Stevens Point School Board outlined goals that they would like to achieve for the 2015-16 school year.

The board met casually with Bush for a retreat style meeting at The Windsor Clubhouse where they brainstormed ideas for the upcoming school year and goals they’d like to see him and the board work toward. Board members Kim Shirek and Lisa Totten were not in attendance.

“It’s a very hefty list, but every single item on it is something that’s very important for our district moving forward,” said Board President Meg Erler.

The board outlined 10 goals they’d like to see the superintendent pursue throughout the year:

1. Build bridges of communication between the superintendent, school board, school district, constituents, administrators and staff groups.
2. Institute a plan for hiring a new superintendent.
3. Move forward on stalled initiatives such as the district pay plan and consolidated task force.
4. Get represented employee contracts up to date.
5. Help the school board be successful.
6. Grow revenue in the district.
7. Assist new administration teams with transitioning.
8. Promote the district for inward open enrollment.
9. Focus on, recognize and reward positive aspects of the school district.
10. Create a vision and voice that the whole district can stand behind.

The first goal, focusing on communication was a high priority for all the board members.

“That’s the key to getting all this other stuff finished,” said Board Member Jeff Ebel.

“Everything on there is certainly achievable,” said Bush. “There’s so many good parts to the school district. The staff, the students, the parents…now if we can just get the leadership going in the right direction which they already are. There’s some great things happening here and that hasn’t come from frivolous decisions. They’re very thoughtful people.”

Bush will hold the position of superintendent for the next year, during which the board will go through the process of hiring a permanent replacement for Dr. Attila Weninger who recently left the position.

“I’m very excited that he’s here with us and I’m very optimistic about us moving forward,” said Erler.

“I’m very excited with the reception,” said Bush. “I think everybody is open to my tenure here, trying to be a bridge builder between the board and the superintendent office and the administration and the staff. That’s what we really want to try and do. We want people to feel like they can be engaged and let me know how things are going and we can work together.”

Bush was hired at a board meeting on April 21.

“He has a lot of experience as a superintendent and a lot of experience as an interim who helps heal,” said Board Member Angel Faxon at the April meeting when Bush was hired.

The next regular meeting of the school board is on August 10 at 6:30 PM in the Bliss Educational Services building.