4betterDDschools---I am not sure that Dr. Overturf was responsible for the supervision of the Associate Principals nor (from what I hear) was she solely responsible for hiring them. I believe other, including Dr. Schmitt were involved. That being said, there are many teachers in the district who have a high level of respect for those individuals about whom you are speaking. I did do some checking about the middle school Associate and I do think that the situation is a bit different. He had completed his program, but could not get a license as he needed to complete his plan for the DPI. I also was told that the first year then he did not function as an administrator and was not called such.

I have been watching this whole thing in Delavan for the past several months and have chosen not to get involved. However, today I feel that I must add a comment. I worked in Fort Atkinson with Mr. Overturf for many years. You would be hard pressed to find anyone more student centered. He was extremely effective in his position and missed by staff. He never was about control--only what was good for students and families. For someone to think that he would be angry about losing control is not seeing it right. As I said, I don't know all that is going on, but if he seems angry it is because he wants all students to be successful and has spent his entire life working toward that goal and it seems right now that perhaps not all students are being successful in Delavan.

Valid point TruthinDelavan. Why was that article in the paper? My theory is that the Overturfs and their supporters are using their connections with the media to print stories with a negative spin. Was there an article when Overturf hired a teacher without an Admin License for the middle school AP position in 2009? Let me answer that for you. NO, there was not. If you have noticed Joe Overturfs letters in papers then you should realize that the Overturfs intend to be as disruptive as possible in the district. Many have believed for years that it was really Joe that was calling the shots while Wendy did the grunt work and collected the paycheck. I guess Joe is mad as hell that he has lost his power and is going to stir up as much ugliness as possible.

I think Honest Abe's suggestion is a great idea! Make Craig Lodahl superintendent. No doubt his leadership skills combined with his high moral and ethical characteristics would have proven more effective than what was demonstrated by the former superintendent. In all honesty,, I expect to see Mr. Lodahl in a superintendent role one day. He is the type of leader who finds success at any level because of his character and because he works so damn hard at everything he is tasked with. Go ahead, call me a Lodahl supporter. I am damn proud to know him.

All of you clowns trying to tear down Mr. Lodahl obviously do not know the man. He is a man of the highest integrity. He is not the cure to all of the districts ills, but his hiring will be a great start. After all, it takes a team of quality professionals and true leadership at the helm to run a successful school district. I am sure Mr. Lodahl will prove to be a much better AP than the departing AP, whose teaching career was limited to the elementary grades. Her 4th grade disciplinary attitude did not work well in the HS. Makes you wonder what the former superintendent was thinking putting her in that position!. The departing AP 's predecessor was also ineffective in his AP role and had to be moved to the elementary level. Proof positive that the former superintendent hired poorly. This new board is challenged with replacing the talent lost under the Overturf administration and I know that most of the community will agree that hiring Craig Lodahl will be a great start in that process.

Sorry..part missing....If the new board talks about transparency one has to wonder why the hiring of Craig Lodahl is on the consent agenda. The consent agenda is designed to allow the board to handle items of “a routine nature” that do not require extensive individual deliberation. Items on a consent agenda are typically approved as a group and without discussion. If it was controversial enough to merit an article in the paper, then it should be discussed in the public. Or was that all done behind the scenes????

the consent agenda is designed to allow the board to handle items of “a routine nature” that do not require extensive individual deliberation. Items on a consent agenda are typically approved as a group and without discussion.

Kind of funny how the high school assistant principal vacancy is being filled by Mr. Lodahl who has worked almost exclusively
with students in advanced classes instead of underachieving students. Class warfare, likely! Are the Board's personnel decisions being aligned with district, building, program, and students' needs? Don't think so. Lodahl has been far more of a teacher advocate then an advocate for all students. Very, very little administrative coursework. No administrative experience. Scherer and Peyer fulfilling their campaign promises to bring Lodahl back. They're the ones that are dividing this community(remember, this is their victory). Small town politics and small town ignorance at its ugliest. What a joke and what a mess this so-called Board is making. Lodahl chose to leave the District, his choice, he was not fired and now we're pandering to bring him back. I have a better idea Mr. Peyer and Dr. Scherer, appoint Mr. Lodahl district administrator, that's just as ludicrous!!!

Some on the "new" Board seem to think that Mr. Lodahl is "god-like." He may have been successful in the classroom with "upper" level students. However, in this role he will need to be concerned about the achievement and success of all students. It doesn't sound to me that he has experience with that. It also doesn't sound to me that he has any proven expertise or knowledge about those iniatives. With achievement as low as Delavan has, one would think that the Board would be looking for candidates that have a passion and knowledge for helping schools make a turnaround. If the Board does go ahead and hire him, the good news is that Mr. Lodahl will be held accountable for the success of all the students under the new waiver and principal evaluation rules that were just put in place by the DPI.

Don't forget that when they calculate benefits, things they must pay for are considered benefits. So not only the 5.8% of his salary that goes to WRS, but also FICA, Medicare, etc. get figured into that total.