Wauwatosa School Board Names New Superintendent

WAUWATOSA, WI— The Wauwatosa School Board has named Demond A. Means as the next superintendent of the Wauwatosa School District. Means will begin serving the district on July 1, according to a release from the school district.

Superintendent Phillip Ertl's retirement notice was approved by the Wauwatosa School Board during a special session in December. Ertl's retirement is effective June 30.

Means was selected out of a pool of three finalists, which also included Mark Holzman and Kurt Schneider.

All three finalists spent a full day immersed in the school district, meeting with the leadership team, speaking with students and participating in a community forum. The day concluded with a final interview with the School Board, the district said.

Means is serving with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as Director of Title One (poverty) and School Support Programs.

He has been the superintendent of the Clarke County School District (Athens, Georgia) for two years, was superintendent of the Mequon-Thiensville School District for 9 years and has leadership experience in Wauwatosa, Maple Dale, and Nicolet districts.

Demond earned his Ed.D. from Cardinal Stritch University, the district said.

“It is a true honor to serve as the next superintendent of the Wauwatosa School District. I very much look forward to partnering with a forward-thinking school board and community to raise achievement for all students," Means said in a statement.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for me to share my passion for implementing educational equity practices through effective instruction, inclusive school cultures and transparent relationships throughout the school system."

The School Board will meet Monday to take formal action on his contract with the district.