February 13, 2023
Dear Chairman Brush and Weiser Board of Trustees,
After careful consideration and reflection, I am informing you of my intent to retire from the Weiser School District at the end of the 2022-23 school year, effective June 30, 2023. This year I will finish my 33rd year in the Weiser School District, a place where I have served my entire professional career.
I will be forever grateful for the opportunities provided to me by you, former Trustees, past superintendents Wil Overgaard and Jim Reed, and for my colleagues in the District. And our community has been amazing. Weiser has afforded me a special place to work, raise a family, and live with a sense of pride.
I have been blessed to serve the District in a number of roles throughout my career. I spent 11 wonderful years teaching math at WHS, spent 18 incredible years serving as the principal at Pioneer School, and have spent the last 4 years serving as the superintendent of schools, a role that has been both challenging and rewarding. Along the way I coached baseball and basketball at WHS, basketball and football at WMS, and coached my own children in their youth league endeavors. I have taught summer school, taught in at-risk programs in our community, served as summer school administrator for the District, worked summer maintenance for the WSD, and served as the District Academic Achievement Director. I have served on a number of committees, boards, and teams, and helped develop enrichment programs such as our Elementary Student STEM Camps and other school based after-school programs and activities.
Each position that I have held allowed me to obtain new and unique experiences, all of which added various perspectives to my development and to my perspectives as a school leader. I have been provided support and acceptance by my colleagues and by our community in each endeavor. I was accepted by the staff at Pioneer School with virtually no credibility as an educator at that level. I believe that speaks to the incredible quality of our staffs, the District as a whole, and the Weiser community.
The last four years have been accompanied by numerous challenges as the influence of COVID tested elements not experienced before. I am proud of the efforts of the Weiser School District, and especially the efforts of our administrative team, Board of Trustees, and others who accepted the challenges, stood tall, and provided unwavering dedication, leadership, and service during what many would consider our most trying times in recent history. We weathered the storm, and I am confident that we have many initiatives that are headed in the right direction. The Weiser School District appears to be growing, financial support from the State is improving, we have plans to address aging facilities in the District, we continue to grow new opportunities for our students at all levels, and we are working toward reimagining the District’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. All of these things are positive, and I look forward to the progress that we will continue to make in the coming months.
My decision to retire was not an easy one to make. Although I planned to continue for another year, recent events in my life seem to signal that this is the right time. I look forward to giving
my wife and family a little more of my time and attention – it seems as though they have been unbelievably patient. And I’m excited for new opportunities for the District to experience change as well.
I don’t know yet what the future holds for me, but I am excited for the future and at peace with the decision. I’ve never really had an exit plan, I’ve just taken things day by day and year by year. But I knew the day would come when I had to make a difficult decision. I love my job, have passion for the profession, and I love the Weiser School District.
When I accepted this position Mr. Overgaard made himself available to help with my transition. Rest assured, I will do the same for your next superintendent, should they desire any assistance.
Once a Wolverine – always a Wolverine.
Thank you so much for everything.
Respectfully,
Wade Wilson
