Description

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Interim Superintendent of Schools

Watertown Unified School District - Watertown, Wisconsin

One-Year Appointment    2026–2027 School Year

 
Position Overview
The Watertown Unified School District (WUSD) Board of Education invites applications for the position of Interim Superintendent of Schools for the 2026–2027 school year. This is a one-year appointment reporting directly to the Board of Education.

The Interim Superintendent will serve as the district’s Chief Executive Officer and Primary Advisor to the Board, providing steady leadership and continuity while the district conducts a permanent superintendent search. The selected candidate will be expected to maintain momentum on WUSD’s strategic priorities, sustain positive community relationships, and ensure smooth day-to-day operations across all schools and departments.

About Watertown Unified School District
Watertown is located in southern Wisconsin in Jefferson County, 40 miles northeast of Madison, 50 miles northwest of Milwaukee, 110 miles south of Green Bay, and 135 miles northwest of Chicago. The community offers a welcoming, family-oriented environment with a strong tradition of public education.

For the 2026–2027 school year, WUSD serves approximately 3,000+ students and 500 staff members across the following schools:

•     Watertown High School
•     One middle school
•     Five elementary schools
•     eCampus Academy, Discovery Academy, and Endeavor Charter School

WUSD District Highlights:

•     Strategic Plan focused on reading, math, and all-in engagement of staff and students
•     96.9% graduation rate, above the national average
•     Achieved AP School Honor Roll as a Silver School with 58% of seniors taking an AP course before graduation.
•     88.8% of schools meet or exceed expectations on the Wisconsin Report Card
•     Recognized by U.S. News & World Report for achievements at Watertown High School
•     Home to Title I Schools of Recognition
•     US News Best Elementary School - Webster Elementary
•     Most recent report card score outperforms all benchmark comparable districts in Wisconsin (as identified by UW-Madison)
•     Nationally recognized performing and fine arts programs
•     Well-maintained facilities with recent additions and upgrades across several schools
•     $4.5 million referendum passed in spring of 2026
•     K–12 dual language, STEM, and virtual programming
•     Average teacher length of service of over 10 years

 
District Priorities for 2026–2027
The Interim Superintendent will be expected to provide leadership across the following priorities, which reflect the values and direction established by the WUSD Board of Education and school community:

1.  Navigating School Consolidation with Integrity

Lead the community through a school consolidation process that is transparent, inclusive, and grounded in what is best for students. The process must honor the traditions that define WUSD schools, leverage available resources wisely, and result in stronger educational outcomes for all learners.

2.  Ensuring Long-Term Financial Health

Continue collaborative efforts with the Board, administrative team, and community stakeholders to ensure the district’s long-term fiscal sustainability. This includes sound budget stewardship, strategic resource allocation, and transparent communication about financial priorities and trade-offs.

3.  Honoring Tradition While Driving Innovation and Transformation

Champion a district culture that respects what has made WUSD strong while embracing the innovation and transformation needed to prepare students for an ever-changing world. The Interim Superintendent will be expected to hold tradition and bold thinking together — not as opposing forces, but as complementary strengths.

4.  Building a Student-Driven, Data-Informed Culture

Continue developing a district culture in which every decision — instructional, operational, and organizational — is grounded in student needs and informed by data. The Interim Superintendent will model and advance the expectation that evidence guides practice at every level of the organization.

5.  Sustaining a Relentless Focus on Learning

Develop and strengthen systems that embed a relentless focus on learning throughout the organization — supported by high levels of collaboration among staff, a results orientation, and a continuous improvement process that keeps every school moving forward.

6.  Modeling Leadership for the Entire Community

Serve as a visible and authentic role model for students, staff, families, and the broader Watertown community. The Interim Superintendent will be expected to lead with integrity, consistency, and genuine care — demonstrating the values the district holds for everyone within it.

7.  Ensuring the Right People Are in the Right Places

Work to ensure that every role in the district is filled with the right person — and that every person in every role has the support, clarity, and accountability needed to thrive. Talent stewardship is a strategic priority, not an HR function alone.

8.  Unifying the Learning Community Around Shared Mission, Vision, and Values

Ensure that all members of the WUSD learning community — staff, students, families, and partners — are grounded in the district’s shared mission, vision, and core values. Every member of the community should understand what is expected, have the support to meet those expectations, and be afforded the professional autonomy to support learning and each other at the highest levels.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
Consistent with WUSD Board Policy 1400.01 and Policy 1230, the Interim Superintendent shall:

Strategic Leadership

•    Serve as Chief Executive Officer and Primary Advisor to the Board of Education
•    Keep the Board informed of school operations through monthly agendas, oral and written communication, and scheduling of management team meetings
•     Monitor and facilitate implementation of WUSD’s current strategic plan, ensuring mission, vision, and goals are fulfilled
•     Work with the Board to develop and communicate policies that define organizational expectations
•     Ensure all WUSD operations comply with State laws, regulations, Board contracts, and Board policies
•     Foster external partnerships to build targeted opportunities around identified student and district needs  

Instructional Leadership

•     Serve as the district’s instructional leader, overseeing curriculum, instruction, and assessment systems that promote high student achievement
•     Promote high expectations, student engagement, personalization, and integration of technology to maximize student learning
•     Sustain a culture of continuous professional development and student -driven, data-informed decision-making
•     Ensure curriculum, instruction, and assessment programs provide full access and opportunity for all students

Human Resources Leadership
       

•     Directly supervise all WUSD office administrators and all principals; indirectly supervise all district employees
•     Ensure consistent, merit-based processes for recruitment, employment, induction, and retention of high-performing personnel
•     Assign staff to achieve maximum benefit toward attainment of educational goals
•     Supervise and evaluate the performance of employees

Operations and Resource Management

•    Lead continued collaborative efforts to ensure the long-term financial health of the district through sound fiscal stewardship and strategic resource allocation
•    Demonstrate fiscal responsibility in the acquisition, allocation, and management of human, material, and financial resources
•    Ensure an orderly, safe, and positive environment conducive to teaching and learning

   Community Relations and Communications
         

•     Promote and maintain effective communication among the Board, staff, students, families, and the community
•     Work cooperatively with parent and community groups to maintain positive school–community relations
•     Model and promote respect, fairness, and equal treatment in the community 

Professionalism

•     Adhere to legal, moral, and ethical standards and demonstrate personal integrity in all interactions
•     Understand and demonstrate competency in the Wisconsin Administrator Standards
•     Engage in continuous professional growth and contribute to the educational profession

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

•         Valid Wisconsin Superintendent License (or eligibility for licensure)
•         Master’s degree in educational administration or a closely related field from an accredited institution
•         Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience in K–12 educational leadership (principal, director, assistant superintendent, or equivalent)
•         Demonstrated knowledge of Wisconsin school law, administrative code, and Board governance responsibilities
•         Demonstrated record of instructional leadership and improving student achievement
•         Competency in the Wisconsin Administrator Standards
•         Strong fiscal management and organizational skills
•         Excellent written and verbal communication and public relations skills
•         Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct and personal integrity consistent with Board Policy 1400.01

Preferred Qualifications

•         Doctorate (Ed.D. or Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership, Administration, or related field
•         Prior experience as a superintendent or assistant superintendent in a Wisconsin public school district
•         Experience leading or implementing a district-wide strategic plan focused on academic achievement
•         Experience with diverse student populations, including English Learners and Title I programming
•         Familiarity with Wisconsin DPI accountability systems and Report Card metrics
•         Experience with collective bargaining and labor relations
•         Demonstrated success building community partnerships and stakeholder engagement
•         Experience with dual language, charter, or alternative education programming

About the Watertown, Wisconsin Community
Watertown is a vibrant city of approximately 24,000 residents situated in Jefferson County in southern Wisconsin. Ideally located between Madison and Milwaukee, Watertown offers the warmth and connection of a small community with convenient access to major metropolitan resources. The city is served by local healthcare, retail, restaurants, and cultural amenities, with easy highway access to both Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Dane County Regional Airport.

Watertown has a proud civic history, a strong local business community, and active parent and community engagement in its schools. Residents consistently demonstrate a deep investment in the quality of public education. The community reflects a growing diversity, with approximately 22% of WUSD students identifying as Hispanic/Latino, enriching the cultural fabric of the district.

Outdoor recreation is plentiful, with Rock River running through the city, nearby state parks, and easy access to the lakes and trails of southern Wisconsin. Watertown offers affordable housing, excellent community facilities, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it an attractive place to live and lead.

Application Process

Application Deadline:   July 9, 2026

Start Date:  July 1, 2026 (or as negotiated)

Compensation:  Competitive; commensurate with experience and qualifications

Interested candidates should submit the following:

•     Letter of interest addressing qualifications and leadership philosophy, with specific reference to the district priorities outlined in this posting
•     Current resumé or curriculum vitae
•     Copy of Wisconsin Superintendent License or evidence of eligibility
•     Transcripts (unofficial accepted for initial application)
•     Contact information for a minimum of three (3) professional references

Submit application materials by 4:00 PM July 9, 2026 to WECAN 

Interviews are scheduled to be held July 20, 2026

Please direct questions to:

Human Resources – Margaret Brady; 111 Dodge Street, Watertown, WI 53094; [email protected]

The Watertown Unified School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or age. For more information, visit www.watertown.k12.wi.us

Requirements

Please submit application on WECAN.