Wisconsin Rapids School Board Narrows Superintendent Search Down to Two

Friday, April 19th, 2024 -- 8:01 AM

The Wisconsin Rapids School Board of Education announced they have narrowed their search down to two finalists for the position of Superintendent.

The candidates were selected from a slate of qualified candidates and through an initial interview process. Dr. Jo-Ellen Fairbanks-Schutz, Superintendent of Luxemburg-Casco School District and Ronald Rasmussen, Principal of Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, will be moving on to participate in a final interview round with a diverse selection panel consisting of the Board, administrators, staff members, parents, and community members.

Jo-Ellen Fairbanks-Schutz holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Master of Education - Interdisciplinary Curriculum & Instruction degree from National-Louis University in Wheeling, Illinois, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary in Science Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

In addition to serving as a Superintendent in Luxemburg-Casco, Dr. Fairbanks-Schutz has served as Superintendent in the Cochrane-Fountain City School District, Principal of Portage Academy of Achievement and Associate Principal of Portage High School, Associate Dean of General Education/Business at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Supervisor of Secondary Curriculum at the School District of Beloit, and Director of Instructional Programs and Professional Development at CESA 9 in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

Ronald Rasmussen holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Marian University, a Bachelor of Arts in History, Political Science, and Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and is currently working on his Education Specialist in Educational Administration - Superintendent degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Mr. Rasmussen is currently serving as Principal of Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids, and has held the positions of Principal at Mauston High School, Associate Principal at Reedsburg Area High School, and Social Studies Instructor at Reedsburg Area High School.

The Board hopes to select a final candidate to extend an offer to and take formal action to approve of the new Superintendent’s contract by May 13, 2024. The new Superintendent will begin his/her duties on July 1, 2024.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.