LAKE GENEVA — The Lake Geneva Joint 1 School Board of Education and Lake Geneva – Genoa City Union High School Board of Education announced Tuesday that Peter Wilson, PhD, will become the next Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Wilson becomes the fifth Superintendent since the districts were formed in 1958.
The school boards formally approved his contract on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, according to a news release. He will officially begin his new role on July 1, 2022.
“I am honored and thrilled to be your next Superintendent of Schools,” said Wilson in a news release. “Throughout the interview process, I have learned that the tradition of excellence that exists in Lake Geneva Schools is due to the wonderful people of our community and the hard work of our students and staff. My mission as your Superintendent is also my passion and is the reason I do what I do. That is, I believe we are all educators of all students of all abilities all of the time. Finally, I want to congratulate Dr. James Gottinger for over two decades of exemplary leadership of Lake Geneva Schools. I am humbled to be his successor.”
Wilson brings with him 21 years of experience in public education. He comes to Lake Geneva Schools from DeForest Area School District where he currently serves as the Director of Administrative Services. Previously, Wilson served as the Director of Student Services for the Stoughton Area School District. He has also served as a middle school and elementary principal.
Before his administrative roles, he served as a classroom teacher, mentor and high school tennis coach in the Waunakee Community School District. Wilson holds a PhD and MS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis; he has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University.
“Dr. Wilson is a proven, skilled leader who places a high priority on student achievement,” said Lake Geneva – Genoa City Union High School Board President Patrick Sherman. “During the search process, he impressed us and quickly became the top candidate,” he continued.
Lake Geneva Joint 1 Board President Marcie Hollmann added, “I believe we have selected an excellent District Administrator. Dr. Wilson is a great fit for Lake Geneva Schools! The boards feel he is the right person to support our educational mission of providing every student an excellent education that ensures the development of responsible, respectful citizens, and inspires life-long learning.”
Hollmann also thanked the many people who participated in the hiring process by saying, “I would like to extend my gratitude to all of the people who made our selection process smooth and successful. Thank you to all of the candidates who took the time to apply and participate in our process; thank you to Dr. Gerald Freitag and Dr. Dean Gorrell from School Exec Connect for all of your efforts in vetting and presenting the candidates; Holly Eckola, Director of Marketing and Communications, for all your logistical coordination; and thank you to all of the board members from both districts.”
Sherman added, “Thank you to all of the staff, students, parents, and community members who participated in the survey, forums, and building tours. Your input was valuable in our candidate selection and screening process. The boards firmly believe that we have selected the best candidate to lead our districts into the future.”
Wilson succeeds Gottinger as Lake Geneva Joint 1 District and Lake Geneva – Genoa City Union High School Superintendent. Gottinger announced his retirement in November following a 23 year career at Lake Geneva Schools and 51 years in public education.
The selection of Wilson concludes a collaborative and successful search process and positions the Lake Geneva Joint 1 School District and Lake Geneva – Genoa City Union High School District for continued success.
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