Waupaca schools to find new administrator

By Robert Cloud

Waupaca School District Administrator Greg Nyen will resign at the end of the 2018-19 academic year.

Nyen sent a memo to district staff Friday, announcing his decision to leave.

“I am leaving to pursue other interests,” Nyen wrote. “I am proud of the work we have done together over the past three years and wish you all well as we journey to the end of another successful year.”

Stephen Johnson, president of the Waupaca School Board, said the board has contacted the Wisconsin Association of School Boards for help in finding another district administrator. The school board also plans to contact other search services.

Johnson said the search service provides a broader base for possible applicants than the board could reach through its own resources.

The service would also compile data and collect resumes for the board to consider.

“Our goal is to fill the position on or before July 1,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the board would also ask “key stakeholders in the community,” such as a Rotary members or business people who have worked with the district in the past to help with the interview process.

“They would not be making the decision, but we would certainly value their input,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Nyen and his team have made substantial changes in how the district approaches education.

“Greg and his team brought a different approach in how we prepare and develop our teachers and how we engage our students,” Johnson said.

Noting board members recently attended a state school board convention, Johnson said Waupaca is “in some respects on the leading edge of where some districts are going, and we have Greg and his team to thank for that.”

Nyen began working as Waupaca’s district administrator in the summer of 2016.

A Jan. 17 report in the Great Falls Tribune noted Nyen was one of two finalists for superintendent of the Great Falls public school district in Montana.

ABC Fox Montana reported on Jan. 24 that Nyen withdrew his name from consideration for the position.

Update
Nyen told the Waupaca County Post he is currently exploring a number of possibilities.

He said his youngest child will graduate from Stevens Point Area Senior High School in May, and all his children are now young adults, so there is “no barrier to moving at this time in my life.”

Nyen’s wife began working in Marquette, Michigan, about 1 1/2 years ago, so he is exploring opportunities in Wisconsin and Michigan.

“I think the board has certainly accomplished a lot,” Nyen said, regarding his three years as district administrator. “We have significantly increased student achievement levels, we have rebranded the district and we have improved the facilities and infrastructure of the district. We are in a sound financial status.”