MONROE — The search for a new District Administrator for the School District of Monroe is down to three top candidates, and those candidates spent most of a day in the district last week meeting with students, faculty and staff.
Interviews also were conducted with the candidates during a special board meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The new district administrator would take over as the district continues to push for a referendum to build a new high school and amid a dip in academic performance at the middle and high school level that has officials and parents concerned.
“I think I would be a great fit,” said Dr. Shawn Galvin, a former Rockford resident and educator; and the first candidate of the three to visit the district said last week. “I’m very passionate about serving.”
Galvin is an elementary principal from the Janesville School District. The other candidates include Rodney Figueroa, superintendent at Pittsville School District, and Laura Jackson, the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning with the West Bend School District.
The new leader would replace Waski, who was principal of Monroe High School from 2010 to 2013. He left Monroe for a time to serve as district administrator for the Adams-Friendship school district. Waski decided to leave his post this year, citing long-term health issues.
In the first of the three meetings held last Monday, Galvin was peppered with questions from a diverse group that included teachers, staff and community members. He was asked about districts that use a trimester system, how he handles certain situations; and what type of leadership style he would bring to the schools during a time of transition.
Challenges he cited for Monroe included passing the referendum and construction of the new high school, as well as boosting lagging academic performance in the middle and high schools -- as well as fostering a spirit community pride in Monroe schools.
The realities of the modern economy mean that education may not look the same going forward, and the virtual learning component brought on by COVID-19 is a good example of that.
“We have to rethink ourselves in terms of a school district,” he said.
The process that produced the top three candidates was organized by Mike Richie, a former school superintendent with the firm Hazard, Young and Attea, which was contracted by the district. A district-wide survey was produced to build a professional profile and chart the community’s leadership needs — and all of that data culminated in the selection of the three candidates.
The timeline established for hiring the new candidate has the decision being made by the board sometime in May.
Figueroa is in his 6th year as Superintendent in the Pittsville School District, which is located in central Wisconsin.
“My central mission is to be the biggest advocate for my students and provide relevant, engaging, and rigorous educational opportunities and experiences for all of them, he said in a profile provided to the district. “My educational career started as a mathematics teacher and coach in Manitowoc Wisconsin where I truly learned to love my students and understand how important it is to help them take ownership of their learning.”
Figueroa also is an athlete, boasting a 10th place finish in the Olympic Games in Freestyle Wrestling and with USA Athletes in Action.
Jackson, who owns land in Green County, serves the West Bend School District as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. She also has spent time in West Bend as the interim superintendent.
“Under her leadership the district has addressed program evaluation, systemic strategic planning, and research based effective practices improving support and access for all students,” said her online profile. “During her career, Laura has also served at the director of special education, pupil services, and curriculum as well as a principal, teacher, interventionist, and coach.
Meet the Candidates
Rodney Figueroa
I am excited to have the opportunity to determine my fit to lead the School District of Monroe into the future. I am in my 6th year as Superintendent in the Pittsville School District, which is located in the exact center of the state. I believe strongly in College and Career educational programing which increases future opportunities for student success. My current district asked for and supported the construction of a new 24,000 square foot, modern, state of the art, Career and Technical education Facility. I have additional administrative licensure and experience as a Principal, Special Education Director, and Director of Curriculum & Instruction. My educational career started as a mathematics teacher and coach in Manitowoc Wisconsin where I truly learned to love my students and understand how important it is to help them take ownership of their learning. My central mission is to be the biggest advocate for my students and provide relevant, engaging, and rigorous educational opportunities and experiences for all of them. Stakeholder input, communication, and data are central in decision making for me and those I serve. My focus as an educator, has always been to provide students and staff with the resources needed to best prepare our students for their future, because they are the most important students in the world.
I have traveled extensively as a world level competitor, including a 10th place finish in the Olympic Games in Freestyle Wrestling and with USA Athletes in Action. I have had the privilege and blessing of being surrounded and impacted personally and professionally by many people with growth mindsets, and share that philosophy; all children can learn and grow. My wife and I ran an elk farm in Manitowoc Wisconsin for almost 20 years and I served as president for the Valders Athletic Association supporting athletics and arts. I love my work, and the fact I get to be part of communities who value their children and want to improve their lives.
Dr. Shawn Galvin
Dr. Shawn Galvin has served as the Principal of Lincoln Elementary in the School District of Janesville since 2010. Prior to his current role, he served as an Assistant Principal in Rockford Public Schools. He has also served as an elementary teacher in Rockford Public Schools. Dr. Galvin started his teaching career in 2000 as a 5th grade teacher in the South Beloit Community United School District 320. Dr. Galvin has an Associate’s degree from Rock Valley College, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rockford College, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership both from National Louis University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College. He holds Wisconsin educational licenses in District Administrator, Director of Instruction, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Principal, and Teacher.
Dr. Galvin has 3 children, his oldest son attends UW-Whitewater for music education and plays saxophone in the UW-W Jazz band, his daughter is completing her first year at Olivet Nazarene University studying elementary education and is active in the college show choir, and his youngest son is a senior in high school and plays drums in the jazz orchestra. Dr. Galvin enjoys home renovation projects as well as spending as much time as possible outdoors hiking, camping, sitting around a campfire or working on projects. He spends many fall and winter weekends working at an area Christmas tree farm which is where he started working at age 13 and hasn’t missed a year since.
Laura Jackson
Laura Jackson currently serves the West Bend School District and community as the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning. In her time in West Bend Laura also served as the interim superintendent. Under her leadership the district has addressed program evaluation, systemic strategic planning, and research based effective practices improving support and access for all students. During her career, Laura has also served at the director of special education, pupil services, and curriculum as well as a principal, teacher, interventionist, and coach. These roles have provided Laura with the opportunity to utilize her leadership, knowledge, and training to facilitate growth in student learning, build capacity of educators and administrators, create comprehensive improvement plans, and develop and implement a systematic budgeting process. In each role she has demonstrated a deep commitment to remain fiscally responsive to the needs of the district and community while serving all students through building professional capacity and community partnerships providing the programs and supports needed to ensure that each student can succeed.
Laura and her family have enjoyed Green County since the 1970’s as landowners. The natural beauty, recreation, resources, and people have made it evident that Monroe is a place they desire to plant roots. While she is a devoted fan of the Milwaukee Brewers, in her free time she also enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, reading, cooking and volunteering in her community.