Shawano School District Superintendent Todd Carlson has submitted his resignation, leaving the district’s top spot vacant just days before the new school year begins.
Carlson sent an email to local media late Wednesday night, saying he is going to a nearby school district but not specifying where.
The Shawano Leader received confirmation Thursday afternoon that the Gillett School District is interested in hiring Carlson as its superintendent. The Gillett School Board had scheduled a meeting Thursday night to offer Carlson a contract, according to its president, Miles Winkler.
“We do anticipate him being our superintendent,” Winkler said. “He has experience, leadership qualities — all the qualities we’re looking for.”
Winkler said he could not go into details about the proposed contract, and declined to speculate when Carlson would start, as his resignation from Shawano is not yet official.
The Shawano School Board must vote to accept Carlson’s resignation to make it official. The next regular board meeting is Sept. 3.
The board called an emergency closed session Tuesday regarding a personnel issue but took no action. The agenda did not specify if Carlson was the subject of the closed session.
Carlson did not provide details on why he was leaving Shawano.
“After much thought and consideration and for a variety of reasons I have decided to pursue a position that has been offered me in a nearby school district,” Carlson said. “This has been a very difficult decision as I am extremely proud of the numerous positive achievements put in place in the Shawano School District over the past several years from people working together.”
In his announcement, Carlson said he is leaving the district on very sound financial footing, demonstrated by increasing student growth and local tax rates that are below the state average.
“There are countless relationships that will be very hard to leave,” Carlson said. “I will always have a place in my heart for the many fine dedicated professional people who have supported and made a commitment to the students and community of the Shawano School District.”
Assistant Superintendent Gary Cumberland said on Thursday that he is not officially the acting superintendent until the board takes action, but he is running things in Carlson’s absence.
“I just know I’m the assistant, and things need to get done, so they’re getting done,” he said.
Cumberland said he was caught unaware by Carlson’s announcement.
School Board President Julie Van Dyck could not be reached for comment.
Carlson took over Shawano’s superintendent position in August 2007 after being in the Suring School District for 20 years.
Carlson was receiving $135,294.16 in salary and $37,955.58 in benefits annually at the time of his resignation.
Carlson received his superintendent certification from Winona State University. He received his master’s degree from Marian College in Fond du Lac, and his bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
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