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Nekoosa superintendent announces four teachers earned National Board Certification, outlines community "future search"
Summary
The Nekoosa superintendent told the board that four district teachers passed National Board Certification and described an upcoming April 'future search' of community conversations to guide 10-year goals; the board also heard about support for other teachers pursuing certification and discussed associated costs and supports.
The Nekoosa School District superintendent announced that four district teachers have passed National Board Certification and said the district will convene community conversations in April to shape a 10-year vision for the schools.
The superintendent said, “we just learned that 4 of the teachers in the district passed their national board certification,” naming Sarah Lawton at Humpke Elementary; Cheryl Eser at Alexander Middle School; Caleb Byle, a social studies teacher at Alexander Middle School; and Tori Josten, a seventh-grade math teacher at Alexander Middle School. The superintendent added that eight other teachers in the district are currently pursuing certification.
The superintendent described the certification as “an extremely rigorous” process involving videotaping classroom practice, analyzing data and writing reflections, and said the district views the accomplishment as a meaningful professional milestone for teachers. Board members and staff noted the district and a recent compensation-committee decision aim to encourage and reward national-board candidates.
A board member noted the out-of-pocket cost for candidates; one board member recalled the last figure he remembered was “close to $2,500,” and that historically about 40% of candidates pass. The superintendent and business manager said the district is tracking how many staff pursue certification and is supporting teachers with incentives and peer cohorts.
Separately, the superintendent told the board the district is beginning a “future search” process to solicit broader community input on goals and priorities. The superintendent said consultants Drew Hallock and Debbie Brewster will lead the process, with community conversations planned for April to ask where the district should be in 10 years and how schools can better serve the community.
The superintendent also reviewed operational items including the district’s snow-day plan: the district has two built-in snow days and will, if more are needed, call closures the morning of and use planned virtual or in-service days to make up time (grades 6–12 would learn online; K–5 would receive prepared packets). Families were notified via ParentSquare.
The board did not take further action on the certification announcements at the meeting; the superintendent said more updates on the future-search schedule and supports for teachers pursuing certification will be provided at upcoming workshops.
The board received the report and congratulated the teachers.
