Board approves Nathan Wiernicki as Winona Senior High principal; some directors call for more board input in hiring

The Winona Area Public Schools Board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to appoint Nathan Wiernicki as principal of Winona Senior High School.

Superintendent Pruzanski presented Wiernicki’s candidacy, noting the selection followed interviews that included staff, parents and students. The motion to appoint was made and seconded and passed by voice vote.

Board reaction: members offered both congratulations and procedural critique. One director said the appointment “continues to concern me” because they would prefer more board participation on hiring committees for more visible leadership positions. That director also said the issue is about nuance and the degree of board input rather than rejecting administrative recommendations outright.

Why it matters: Principal appointments shape school leadership, curriculum execution and staff morale. The board’s approval finalizes the district‑level administrative decision for Winona Senior High and sets an expectation for how future high‑visibility hires might be handled.

Next steps: the board administered the standard motion, second and voice vote to confirm the appointment at the meeting. Several directors said they would like to discuss the board’s role in future hiring processes.

No salary or contract details were presented in the public portion of the meeting transcript.