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Two remain in running for Whitewater superintendent

WHITEWATER — The two finalists for superintendent of Whitewater schools believe the school district is headed in the right direction and would consider themselves fortunate to continue its momentum.

Being considered for the district's top post are:

-- Suzanne Zentner, associate superintendent for teaching and learning in the Isaac School District in Phoenix.

-- Dennis Pauli, the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Round Lake Area Schools District 116 in Round Lake, Ill.

Each will spend one day in Whitewater schools before a final interview with school board members and administrators. Zentner's visit is scheduled for Tuesday. Pauli's visit is scheduled for Wednesday.

The school board expects to make its selection no later than Thursday, and the new superintendent is slated to start work July 1.

Superintendent Leslie Steinhaus is resigning after seven years in the position.

Suzanne Zentner

Zentner said she is committed to bringing people together in support of educating children.

"It's all about giving them the best we can give them," she said.

Zentner describes her leadership style as energetic, innovative and forward-thinking.

"I really enjoy taking organizations to new places," she said.

Zentner has served as a K-12 physical education teacher, a middle school principal and a central-office administrator. She is associate superintendent for teaching and learning in the Isaac School District in Phoenix—an inner-city K-8 school district of about 8,000 students, of which 94 percent are Hispanic and 74 percent report Spanish as their primary language.

She said she was able to help transform the district by developing a mission and sticking to it.

"(The district) really has benefited from having a core vision," she said. "My philosophy is we stay committed to a few things, and we get good at those few things."

Zentner now describes the district as being "an inch wide and a mile deep."

"We've really gotten into a zone," she said. "It just feels smooth. It doesn't feel disjointed."

Zentner said if she is selected to serve as superintendent of the Whitewater schools, she would build on its assets, such as the university, the business community and the city.

"It's a community that's known for being very involved in its children's education," she said.

Zentner said she also would dive into the district's finances, making sure staff, administrators and the school board are preparing to go to referendum to continue to make ends meet.

Voters in November 2006 approved a two-part referendum allowing the district to exceed its revenue limit by $620,000 each year for four years. The authorization expires after the 2010-11 school year.

In addition to being a good career move, Zentner said the superintendent job would bring her closer to her old stomping grounds. She grew up in Fort Atkinson, where she co-owned a fitness center at age 17, and attended UW-Whitewater, where she played tennis.

"Of course it would be wonderful to be back by family and friends, but moreover … I think it would be wonderful (to work in Whitewater)."

Dennis Pauli

Pauli said he is dedicated to building strong relationships.

"It's about fostering an environment that's built upon a foundation of trust—people really working collectively and collaboratively toward common goals," he said.

Pauli described his leadership style as engaging: He doesn't tie himself to his administrative office; instead, he's out in the schools.

"I think most of the people I work with would say, ‘We see him around a lot,'" he said.

Pauli has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, an elementary school principal and a central-office administrator. He serves as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Round Lake Area Schools District 116 in Round Lake, Ill.—a suburban Chicago K-12 school district of about 7,000 students, of which 66 percent are Hispanic.

He said his accomplishments in the district include aligning curriculum with state standards; creating a professional development "academy" for staff; and helping adjust to a boom in Spanish-speaking students.

"I've done so much more than curriculum and instruction," he said. "I've had the opportunity to take on many of the responsibilities of a superintendent."

If selected, Pauli said he would build on the Whitewater district's assets, such as the university, the business community and the city.

"The community support for the schools is just excellent," he said. "There's so much opportunity, so much momentum in a positive direction right now."

Pauli said he also would bring key stakeholders together—the school board, administrators, city and university officials—to learn where they see the district going, especially as the district faces demographic changes. He also said if the district plans to go to referendum in two years, it will require careful preparation.

"The more knowledge I have about the district, the better," he said. "Big ideas will surface as to where we need to focus our attention."

Not only would this be a good career move, Pauli said the superintendent job would bring his immediate family closer together. The family lives in Oregon, and every day he makes the 190-mile round-trip commute to Round Lake, Ill.