My Pleasure, My Privilege, My Honor
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 16, 2022
Most SAA members have already heard the story because I have told it at conferences and meetings many times over the years. A little over twenty years ago, I interviewed for the position I currently hold with the SAA. The first question in the interview was asked by Don Mrdjenovich, former Janesville superintendent and, at that time, WASBO Executive Director. He asked, “John, what do you know about the School Administrators Alliance?” I quickly responded, “You’re the good guys!” And, for more than twenty years it has been my pleasure, my privilege, but, most importantly, my honor to represent “the good guys” before the Governor’s office, the state agencies, and the legislature in support of your efforts to meet the needs of the children you serve.
About a month ago, I informed the SAA Board of Directors of my intention to step down as SAA Executive Director at the end of this calendar year, December 31, 2022. At that time, I will be 63 years of age and will have served the SAA for 21 years. Over the years, I had a few opportunities to leave the SAA for more money but, not a better job. Ultimately, it was always an easy decision to stay with the good guys.
Why am I choosing to step down now? There are several reasons. First, twenty years in the legislative and political trenches has taken its toll. Second, I no longer have the patience to deal with the current highly-charged partisan environment inside the State Capitol. Also, as I have shared with you before, finding consensus inside the SAA on strategy and major policy issues is becoming increasingly difficult. Finally, it’s time for me to turn the page and open the next chapter in my journey. It’s also time for the SAA to turn the page as well. It’s time for a new SAA leader with fresh eyes, new energy and passion, a new skill set and new ideas.
I have chosen to make this announcement nine months in advance of my retirement because the SAA Board, with my full support, is moving forward with the succession with all deliberate speed. The Board intends to post the position opening by the middle of next month, make a hiring decision early this summer and facilitate a lengthy transition period for the new executive director.
I have also chosen to make this announcement at this time because it is extraordinarily liberating! For the next nine months, you will have a short-timer as your SAA Executive Director. I intend to operate as if I am a retired interim administrator. I plan to put my foot on the accelerator and do the things I think need to be done with just one objective in mind: To plow the ground for the next SAA Executive Director and place the SAA in the strongest possible position for success in the future.
Friends, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the opportunity to serve the good guys these past 20 years. Thank you as well for all of your efforts on behalf of the children you serve. We have a lot of work to do. I know I can count on your help. Stay tuned.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Petrowski Won’t Seek Reelection
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 10, 2022
From WisPolitics.com …GOP state Sen. Jerry Petrowski, who first won a seat in the state Legislature nearly 24 years ago, announced today he won’t seek reelection this fall.Petrowski, 71, was elected to the Assembly in 1998. He then won a June 2021 special election to the state Senate after fellow Republican Pam Galloway decided to resign as she faced the prospect of a recall election.Petrowski is the sixth member of the Senate to decide against seeking reelection.He is one of five members retiring, including Republican Kathy Bernier and Dems Janet Bewley, Jon Erpenbach and Janis Ringhand.Meanwhile, Sen. Roger Roth, R-Appleton, is running for lieutenant governor.See Petrowski’s release here.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Retirements and Changes in Congress, State Legislature
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 10, 2022
From The Wheeler Report . . .
Sen. Janis Ringhand announced she will not seek re-election to the Senate. Rep. Mark Spreitzer announced he is running for her Senate seat.
Tuesday night Sen. Dale Kooyenga announced that he is unable to run for Senate again since redistricting has taken him out of his current Senate district. The district he now lives in is in year two of the four-year term, meaning the senator in that district is not up for re-election so he is unable to run.
Below is the most current list:
Congress
- District 3 – Ron Kind – Retiring
Senate:
- District 5 – Dale Kooyenga – Redistricted
- District 15 – Janis Ringhand – Retiring
- District 25 – Janet Bewley – Retiring
- District 27 – Jon Erpenbach – Retiring
- District 23 – Kathy Bernier – Retiring
- District 19 – Roger Roth – Running for Lt. Governor
Assembly:
- District 5 – Jim Steineke – Retiring
- District 6 – Gary Tauchen – Retiring
- District 10 – David Bowen – Running for Lt. Governor *listed on the Candidate Registry
- District 13 – Sara Rodriguez – Running for Lt. Governor
- District 31 – Amy Loudenbeck – Running for Sec. of State
- District 45 – Mark Spreitzer – Running for Senate
- District 52 – Jeremy Thiesfeldt – Retiring
- District 54 – Gordon Hintz – Retiring
- District 59 – Tim Ramthun – Running for Governor
- District 68 – Jesse James – Running for Senate
- District 74 – Beth Meyers – Retiring
- District 79 – Dianne Hesselbein – Running for Senate
- District 84 – Mike Kuglitsch – Retiring
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
The Gavel Falls
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 10, 2022
From The Wheeler Report . . .
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Senator Ringhand to Retire
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 9, 2022
From WisPolitics.com …
Senate Assistant Minority Leader Sen Janis Ringhand, D-Evansville, announced today she won’t seek reelection.
Ringhand, elected to the Assembly in 2010 and the Senate in 2014, told WisPolitics.com it was a combination of age and it being time to do something different.
She turned 72 in February and noted serving another four-year term would put her at nearly 77 years old when she’d retire.
Ringhand is the fifth member of the Senate to decide against seeking reelection this fall. That includes Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley, D-Town of Mason. Her departure means the top two leadership spots in the Senate Dem caucus will be up for grabs after the fall election.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »