By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Less than two months into the new school year, elected officials overseeing the Whitewater Unified School District have added a high-priority task on their fall to-do list — searching for a new superintendent.
Mark Elworthy, who assumed his position as WUSD’s superintendent in 2016, submitted his resignation to the School Board last week to take an interim leadership role with the St. Francis School District in Milwaukee County.
According to a news release from the WUSD School Board, Elworthy submitted his resignation Oct. 8. His official last day in WUSD’s employ, according to the statement, is Oct. 25.
At the same time, Elworthy began his duties as interim superintendent role in St. Francis this week on a part-time basis. His duties will expand to a full-time capacity Oct. 28 once his WUSD employment ends.
In a statement, the St. Francis School Board cited several reasons for selecting Elworthy as the district’s leader. A vacancy in that community occurred shortly after the school year began, and interviews with Elworthy and other candidates occurred Sept. 30.
“The St. Francis Board of Education believes (Elworthy’s) educational experiences in different leadership capacities will be helpful in leading the St. Francis School District into the future as we continue to serve the educational needs of students,” St. Francis officials said in the joint statement.
The WUSD released a statement of its own immediately after Elworthy’s resignation.
“The Whitewater Unified School District School Board thanks Dr. Elworthy for his three-and-a-half years of service to our community,” the statement reads. “We wish Dr. Elworthy and his family all the best in their future endeavors.”
In the release, WUSD officials also indicated plans are in motion to seek short- and long-term successors to Elworthy. More information is anticipated in the weeks ahead.
“The School Board is developing a plan to hire an interim district administrator and plans to conduct a full search for a permanent district administrator to lead our district as we work to fulfill our mission of inspiring and empowering students to achieve excellence in a safe, innovative and educational environment,” the statement continues.
Elworthy’s appointment to lead the St. Francis School District comes on the heels this spring of his seeking the top spot in the Burlington Area School District. He was named one of three finalists but ultimately was not selected.
Before joining Whitewater Unified, Elworthy’s resume included a leadership stint as superintendent of the Wisconsin Heights School District in western Dane County for eight years.
Attempts to reach Elworthy for comment were unsuccessful.
