Runez moving to Deforest Area School District this summer
By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The traits that made Eric Runez great in Whitewater made him wanted in DeForest.
Runez, the District Administrator of the Whitewater Unified School District, is leaving the district to take the same job with the DeForest Area School District.
DeForest is located about 30 minutes north of Madison. Runez’s resignation is effective June 30. He will assume his position in DeForest on July 1.
“I have really appreciated my time in Whitewater,” Runez said. “The community, the district, the staff have just been unbelievably supportive, and it’s a great place to work.”
Runez announced his resignation on April 19.
“My resignation comes with considerable mixed emotions. Although I am leaving to pursue another professional and personal growth opportunity, I am very grateful to have had the privilege to serve the children and families of this outstanding district led by an incredibly supportive school board, dedicated administration, and a caring educational staff,” Runez said in his resignation letter, read by board president Casey Judd as Runez fought back tears.
“I have appreciated the tremendous support I have received during my eleven years in Whitewater and will miss this caring and generous community. WUSD will forever hold a special place in my and my family’s hearts,” the letter said.
The Whitewater School Board released a statement the same day regarding the search for Runez’s replacement.
“We are moving intentionally and swiftly to hire Mr. Runez’s permanent successor, who will share our commitment to ensure that every graduate is an engaged lifelong learner,” the statement read. “We are committed to keeping the community involved as we proceed, and we anticipate opportunities for the Whitewater community to meet with candidates.”
DeForest announced Runez’s hiring on April 18. Runez has served as the Whitewater Unified School District’s Administrator since 2011.
He served as principal at Whitewater Middle School Principal for six years prior to being named district administrator. Runez also served as a principal in Johnson Creek for three years.
Runez has taught middle/high school social studies and served as an educational counselor in the Denver Public Schools. He is completing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Edgewood College in Madison this summer.
“I didn’t really feel like I needed to make a change,” Runez said of taking the job in DeForest. “The opportunity presented itself and I was encouraged to apply.
“After some careful consideration, I felt like it was a worthwhile experience in the best interest of my family, and me personally.”
DFASD numbers 3,600 students to Whitewater’s 1,900. Runez said his ability to build and maintain relationships between the school district and community stakeholders helped his case with DeForest.
Initiatives involving community engagement are among Runez’s proudest moments in Whitewater.
Voters passed referendums in 2012 and 2014 for operating expenses in WUSD. Runez said the first referendum passed narrowly, but the second passed with much greater approval.
“We really learned how to better engage our community and become even more transparent,” Runez said. “This really paid off with an operating referendum that passed with 65 percent voter approval.”
The commitment to community is why Runez and his family will remain in their home in Whitewater into this summer before moving to the DeForest area.
