By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer

ASHWAUBENON – The search has begun to replace Ashwaubenon High School Principal Brian Nelsen, who is retiring at the end of 2018-19 school year after 19 years of service.

Nelsen’s retirement request was included among the retirements receiving formal approval Wednesday, Feb. 13, by the Ashwaubenon school board.

AHS’s principal position was posted on the Wisconsin Education Career Access Network (WECAN) with the application deadline being Feb. 15, said Jody Smits, Ashwaubenon human resources coordinator.

That job posting also noted interviews for the position will be held the week of Feb. 25.

Superintendent Kurt Weyers said he has met with high school staff members to find out the qualities they want in the next principal.

Weyers said he will be going through the applications with Business Director Keith Lucius, Director of Public Services Tammy Nicholson and Curriculum and Instruction Director Jill Kieslich to narrow down the number for initial interviews.

He noted the initial interview team will be comprised of Nicholson and Kieslich, along with 10 high school teachers, two school board members, two parents, Valley View Elementary Principal Andy Bake and Parkview Middle School Principal Kris Hucek, who will further narrow the applicants down to two or three for final interviews.

Weyers said he will again join Lucius, Nicholson and Kieslich for the final interviews with that group recommending the next high school principal, who could receive final approval by the school board at its March 20 meeting.

Other retirees

Professional staff members also receiving board approval to retire at the end of the current school year include, by name, position, school and years of service:

• Dean DeBroux, cross categorical instructor, AHS, 22 years.

• Carla Felton, at-risk instructor, Parkview, 17 years.

• Jill Chepy-Gonzalez, Spanish instructor, Parkview, 15 years.

• Theresa Charapata, grade 6 instructor, Parkview, 20 years.

• James Pahl, mathematics instructor, AHS, 21 years.

• Tim Clark, cross categorical instructor, AHS, 22 years.

• Doreen Elder, kindergarten instructor, Cormier, 16 years.

Bryan Ryczkowski, who has taught in Little Chute and will taking over as Ashwaubenon’s varsity head football coach next fall, was formally hired as a high school mathematics instructor, effective with the 2019-20 school year.

Board members also approved two full-time special education aides at Valley View, Leah Vertz and Paula Matuszak, whose effective dates of hiring were last month, with Vertz filling a new position as determined by student enrollment and Matuszak filling a vacancy due to a leave of absence.