Schroeder resigns as W-F principal
By Angie Landsverk
Jeremy Schroeder has resigned as principal of Weyauwega-Fremont middle and high schools to become Weyauwega’s next city administrator.
“It’s an opportunity to continue to advance myself and work further with the community,” he said.
The Weyauwega-Fremont School Board accepted his resignation on Monday, Aug. 6, during a special meeting.
“We appreciate the time Mr. Schroeder has dedicated to our school district. We wish him well in his professional opportunity with the city of Weyauwega,” said District Administrator Scott Bleck.
The principal position is posted.
More than 35 people have already applied for it, Bleck told the Waupaca County Post Tuesday morning.
“We’ve been able to evaluate the candidates as they apply,” he said.
The first round of interviews are set for Tuesday, Aug. 14.
A special board meeting is taking place Wednesday, Aug. 15, to interview the finalists, Bleck said.
Schroeder’s last day working for the school district is Friday, Aug. 10.
His first day working for the city is Tuesday, Sept. 4.
“We’re excited to have him,” said Ald. Keith Najdowski. “We think he’s going to do a great job.”
The Weyauwega Common Council unanimously approved a contract with Schroeder on Thursday, Aug. 2, during a special meeting.
Ald. Rich Luedke and Mayor Jack Spierings were absent.
Schroeder’s starting salary is $86,000.
The city has been without an administrator since early May.
That is when John Foss notified the city, through his attorney, of his desire to resign.
Foss worked for the city nine months.
The common council approved a resignation agreement with him on May 21.
Schroeder was one of six people who then applied for the vacant position.
He and three others were chosen for the interview process, which took place on July 26.
“There ended up being three interviewed,” after one applicant dropped out, said Najdowski, the council’s president.
He said all three applicants had good backgrounds and experience.
Schroeder, who also applied and interviewed for the position last year, rose to the top.
“When we did the review with the department staff and council, he was No. 1 on both lists,” Najdowski said.
He described Schroeder as someone who understands and knows the community.
“We’re fortunate to have someone like him,” Najdowski said. “He grew up here. He came back here. He lives here.”
The Weyauwega native attended St. Peter Lutheran School through eighth grade and is a 1995 W-F High School graduate.
Schroeder graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 2000, with a degree in agricultural education.
He taught agriscience at Seymour High School for 13 years, and served as the FFA adviser there.
In addition, Schroeder served as an EMT in that community, was an assistant fire chief and on the Outagamie County Fair Association.
He completed his master’s degree in educational administration with a principal licensure from Concordia University, and was a principal in the W-F district the past five school years.
“I would have been going into my 19th year in education,” Schroeder said. “The reason I wanted to do it is because I wanted to help people. It was all about the kids – creating opportunities for them.”
As a teacher and then principal, he sought to build long-lasting relationships with students.
Leaving the school district is not easy for him.
“It was a very difficult decision,” Schroeder said. “The W-F School District is a great school district. It’s a really great place to work.”
He said it has been wonderful to work with the administrators, staff and school board.
Schroeder is also the manager of the Waupaca County Fair.
As a result, the common council approved a second motion, allowing him to continue in the role.
That is because the city administrator contract states there may be no outside employment without approval of the council, Najdowski explained.
He said the city did not want to change that part of the contract, but knows Schroeder is involved in the fair and wants to continue to be at this time.
Schroeder has served as the fair manager the past few years.
“It’s a huge county event that brings people together,” he said. “It benefits the whole community.”
On average, the fair brings about 20,000 people to Weyauwega over the five days of the fair, he said.
Schroeder says there are opportunities to market the community.
“I think that definitely will very much be in the forefront,” he said of his goals.
Schroeder said one of his biggest goals for the city came out of the interview process.
A question he asked the council was if the city has a mission statement.
It does not.
Schroeder wants to see mission and vision statements developed, as well as strategic planning.
“Without that, you really don’t have direction,” he said.
The fact he lives in the area means he “can get right down to business,” Schroeder said.
Najdowski said he will bring stability to the city.
“I have no intention of leaving this area. My family’s here. I was born and raised here,” Schroeder said. “I know the area. I think people know me. I think that is key.”
He looks forward to meeting more people and working with them.
“My door is open,” Schroeder said.