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Walczak picked to lead Jackson

JANESVILLE — If the Janesville School Board approves Superintendent Tom Evert’s recommendation Monday, Dr. John Walczak will be the next principal at Jackson Elementary School.

He would replace Pat Johnson, who is retiring June 30.

Walczak has been assistant principal at Edison Middle School since 2000. He was a middle school guidance counselor and assistant principal in the Whitnall School District from 1996-2000 and a teacher for the New Berlin School District from 1990-96.

Walczak earned a bachelor’s degree in history and broad field social studies with a minor in geography from UW-Milwaukee in 1990. He received a master’s degree in school counseling from UW-Whitewater in 1995, and in May, he will complete his doctorate in educational administration at Edgewood College in Madison.

“Dr. Walczak possesses the experience, knowledge and leadership skills necessary to effectively serve the staff and students of Jackson Elementary School,’’ Evert said in his recommendation.

In a press release, Evert also said Walczak “is highly recommended by staff, administration and others with whom he has worked.’’

Walczak was picked from 20 applicants. A selection committee—made up of several Jackson teachers, directors, principals, coordinators, support staff and a parent—interviewed six applicants.

After the interviews, the committee submitted to Evert lists of strengths and weakness for each of the six. Finalists were Walczak; Veronica McMahan, learning support teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School, Janesville; and Heidi Ochoa, a second-grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary School in Janesville.

Several Jackson staff, Evert and Dr. Steven Johnson, the director of administration, interviewed the finalists.

The selection process is based on the superintendent recommending a “final candidate” to the board. This is the first principal selection that used suggestions from the Studer Group, which is working with the district to improve its management.

If hired, Walczak would assume his new position July 1. The recommended salary is $93,086 for a 218.5-day contract.