NEW GLARUS - After about a month without a superintendent, an interim schools chief took over the New Glarus district Tuesday.
Bill Conzemius, Fitchburg, was hired to replace Barbara Thompson, who left the district in August to become superintendent of Montgomery, Ala., schools.
He described his leadership style as transparent.
"My philosophy is to be as open as you possibly can," Conzemius said. "The more open and accessible you are, the less suspicious people are about what goes on in the district."
With 37 years in education, including four as a superintendent in the Verona area and one year as interim superintendent in Mauston, Conzemius brings a lot of experience to the district.
This school year, he'll not only oversee the district on a daily basis, but also will help the school board in its search for a full-time administrator. Conzemius said the school district didn't have a lot of time after Thompson left to find a full-time replacement.
"It's a unique role." he said of his job. "It gives me an opportunity to listen and understand the needs of the district."
School districts typically post a superintendent's job in December or January and begin the interview process in March, he said.
"You want to be ahead of the curve as other schools start to look for superintendents." Conzemius said.
Conzemius received his undergraduate diploma at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
He and his wife, Anne, live in Fitchburg.
Bill Conzemius, Fitchburg, was hired to replace Barbara Thompson, who left the district in August to become superintendent of Montgomery, Ala., schools.
He described his leadership style as transparent.
"My philosophy is to be as open as you possibly can," Conzemius said. "The more open and accessible you are, the less suspicious people are about what goes on in the district."
With 37 years in education, including four as a superintendent in the Verona area and one year as interim superintendent in Mauston, Conzemius brings a lot of experience to the district.
This school year, he'll not only oversee the district on a daily basis, but also will help the school board in its search for a full-time administrator. Conzemius said the school district didn't have a lot of time after Thompson left to find a full-time replacement.
"It's a unique role." he said of his job. "It gives me an opportunity to listen and understand the needs of the district."
School districts typically post a superintendent's job in December or January and begin the interview process in March, he said.
"You want to be ahead of the curve as other schools start to look for superintendents." Conzemius said.
Conzemius received his undergraduate diploma at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
He and his wife, Anne, live in Fitchburg.