I am deeply honored by the Board of Education’s decision to appoint me as superintendent of the School District of Monroe. I want to sincerely thank the Board for their confidence, our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts, and the community for the incredible encouragement and support I’ve received throughout this process.

This position holds tremendous personal meaning for me. The School District of Monroe and this community have been extraordinarily supportive of me and my family, and I am deeply grateful. I want to see our school district continue to grow and achieve results that place us among the very best in the state of Wisconsin. More than anything, I want to help restore and strengthen trust across our community and our schools..

There is much to celebrate in the School District of Monroe. Our district and school report cards issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction are very strong, and the soon-to-be-released 2025 results will give us even more to celebrate. Recent staff surveys also show exceptionally high levels of satisfaction, a reflection of the pride and passion that our team brings to their work each day.

We are also seeing incredible progress in career and technical education. Our CTE programs are preparing students for high-quality, in-demand jobs that serve both their futures and the needs of our local economy. The LAUNCH program continues to connect students directly with area businesses, giving them authentic, real-world experiences and helping build stronger partnerships between our schools and community.

The excitement continues to grow as we near completion of the new Monroe High School, a modern learning facility that will be among the most impressive in southern Wisconsin. The District has also received incredible community support — more than $2.8 million in sponsorships — demonstrating just how deeply Monroe values its schools and its students.

As proud as we are of these accomplishments, I also recognize that challenges lie ahead. There are tough decisions to be made and important questions to be answered. To move forward successfully, we must continue earning the trust of our community. That means listening carefully, communicating openly, and respecting differing viewpoints. We must resist the temptation to vilify those who express concerns and instead work together to find common ground when possible.

I am genuinely excited about the future of our school district. We have incredible students, talented staff, and a community that truly cares. My commitment is to work hard, communicate with accuracy and transparency, and bring people together around a shared appreciation for all that makes Monroe such a special place. Together, we can continue strengthening our schools and our community in ways that make us all proud.

— Joe Monroe is the superintendent for the School District of Monroe. He can be reached at josephmonroe@monroe.k12.wi.us or by phone at 

608-328-7155.