Superintendent Search

Welcome to WAWM, Dr. Robinson!

The West Allis-West Milwaukee Board of Education completed its search for a new Superintendent on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Tarrynce Robinson has been selected as our district's next Superintendent effective on July 1, 2023. Current Superintendent Dr. Marty Lexmond will retire on June 30, 2023.

Dr. Robinson shared the following statement with us:

“I am honored and excited to join the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District as your next Superintendent. I look forward to fostering a positive district culture, closing opportunity gaps for all students, and improving learning outcomes by “teaching the way our students learn”. I want to thank the West Allis-West Milwaukee Board for their vote of confidence. I cannot wait to partner with teachers, parents, students, district personnel, and community members as we continue to move the district forward.”

Superintendent Search Finalists

On January 23, 2023, our Board of Education met with our selected search firm (Ray & Associates) to review applications for our Superintendent of Schools position effective July 1, 2023.

After completing preliminary interviews on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, the Board has selected three finalists for the position of West Allis-West Milwaukee School District Superintendent.

These three finalists are being invited to a full-day District visit during the week of February 6. During their time with us, each finalist will tour our schools; interact with our building principals, teachers, administrative/support staff and student representatives and participate in a community listening session.

Mr. Jason Bull

“Why West Allis-West Milwaukee”

West Allis and West Milwaukee are beautiful and proud communities. I am eager to become a part of what makes West Allis-West Milwaukee such an outstanding school district. I was born in West Allis. I was married in West Allis. I have family and friends in the area. It would be an honor for my family and I to settle in the area as I serve the district and surrounding communities as the next superintendent of the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District. The district has a rich tradition of excellence inside the classroom and beyond and has worked hard to develop a vision and roadmap that honors the past, leverages current strengths, and sets a course for the future that will prepare all learners to be happy, healthy and successful members of their community. I know all stakeholders have worked hard to build the financial health of the district, set the course for learning founded in the Deeper Learning Competencies and wrestled with the ideas of right-sizing facilities planning, all the while focusing on what is best for students, parents and the community. I honestly believe that the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District is positioned to be a model for excellence and equity and, working together as a team, we will bring this vision to fruition.

Bio

I am humbled to be considered to lead the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District into the future and join a team of dedicated and passionate educators working together to empower all learners so they can live life on their own terms. Throughout my career I have always been an unapologetic student advocate. I am a graduate of Cardinal Stritch University where I earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Mathematics and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership. I started my career as a mathematics teacher at Grand Avenue School and Bay View High School in Milwaukee Public Schools. In addition, I taught through the Upward Bound Program at Marquette University and taught returning adults at Concordia University. In 2008, I joined the Sheboygan North High School administrative team as an Associate Principal and later became the Principal for five years. While at North High School, our team developed a literacy across content areas platform, facilitated the redesign of our special education service delivery model in alignment with a framework for social justice, and collaborated with community partners to build pathways for learners to be best prepared to positively impact their community. I later returned to Cardinal Stritch University to earn my superintendent certification. In 2016, looking to expand my experience to a district administrative role, I joined the Manitowoc Public School District as the Director of Teaching, Learning and Assessment working through all the components of a districtwide school consolidation process, supporting students, staff and parents through a pandemic, and championing a culture of collaboration with a focus on learning. I have studied with prominent thought leaders in the area of professional learning communities and members of the Derute Consulting Cooperative exploring the policies, procedures and practices that support equitable access to learning for every student, no exceptions.

Dr. Stephen Plank

“Why West Allis-West Milwaukee”

My interest in the West Allis-West Milwaukee stems from my time spent in the District while I was growing up in Cudahy. Now, living just minutes away, I have observed the transformation taking place in the schools and community and I am excited about the opportunities for greatness that lie ahead. I am a student focused, equity minded, relational leader and I see myself as a great fit for WAWM where the vision of empowering learners so they can live life on their own terms is becoming a reality.

Bio

Dr. Plank is in his 27th year of service in education. Currently, he is the superintendent of schools for the Burlington Area School District. Plank has 23 years experience in school administration, which includes roles in varying administrative capacities in schools and districts of various sizes and settings. Prior to his work in school administration, Steve taught instrumental music.

Plank has presented at numerous state and national conferences, and has consulted in six different states on myriad topics. He holds a doctorate in Administration and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago. Steve, a native of Wisconsin, resides in Milwaukee.

Dr. Tarrynce Robinson

“Why West Allis-West Milwaukee”

My name is Tarrynce Robinson, and I believe that education is the fundamental element of any society. The ability to lead is a learned skill that is developed through hard work and discipline. “Why West Allis–West Milwaukee School District?” West Allis-West Milwaukee School District is a diverse learning community with students and families that have an assortment of needs, specifically in the areas of academic achievement, academic growth, and social-emotional needs. West Allis-West Milwaukee has the wherewithal to be at the forefront of change as we will work to close “Opportunity Gaps” for all students. After years of service, professional learning, and an array of experiences, I have enhanced my professional and personal skills, abilities, and intellect, which have effectively prepared me to effectively lead the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District as its Superintendent.

Bio

Dr. Tarrynce Robinson, a native Houstonian, serves as a Schools Support Officer (Area Superintendent) in the Houston Independent School District. As a servant in the field of education for over 24 years, Dr. Robinson has influenced the charge of change and transformational leadership and currently supports and supervises thirteen elementary campuses in the Elementary Schools Office #3. Prior, he served as principal of the following schools: Pleasantville Elementary School, Foerster Elementary School, Holland Middle School (Houston ISD), and Bailey Middle School (Spring ISD). Dr. Robinson attended Huston- Tillotson College where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Government in 1997. While at Huston- Tillotson he met his wife of twenty-one (21) years, Chamelia Watkins-Robinson and they have a nineteen-year-old (19) son Tarrynce II and a daughter Chandler eleven (11). Dr. Robinson obtained his Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Prairie View A&M University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Houston. He is certified by the State Board of Educator Certification in Elementary Education grades 1-8, Special Education grades EC-12 and Principal EC-12. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Texas Alliance of Black Schools Educators, and the Association of Hispanic School Administrators.

Community Listening Session

Stakeholders are invited to participate in a community listening session with the selected finalists on Monday, February 6, 2023 starting at 6:00 p.m. At the conclusion of the meeting, all individuals in attendance will have an opportunity to provide feedback by completing an impression form. The data collected from the impression forms will be shared with our Board of Education.

This will be an in-person meeting only, no remote access or streaming will take place. Please join us in the boardroom at 1205 S. 70th Street, Room 609 on Monday, February 6, 2023, if you are interested.

Our board is focused on staying committed to the excellent work that is happening in our schools focused on equity through deeper learning, fostering a sense of belonging, and educating the whole child so that every learner achieves success.

Community & School Engagement Experience

The purpose of the Superintendent Search - Community and School Engagement Experience is to build background knowledge for the finalist candidates about the work in our schools and the dynamics of the community. Each candidate will visit three schools, an elementary, middle and high school, and engage with the principal, deeper learning coach, two teachers, and available district directors.

The focus of the school visits will be a conversation with the candidates and the school staff members with the school staff members responding to questions prepared and asked by Dr. Lexmond. Following this, each candidate will have and opportunity to ask questions, time permitting.

Timeline & Application Process

The application deadline for those interested in applying will close on January 15, 2023. The announcement of the new superintendent will follow finalist interviews. Our timeline for this entire process anticipates that the search will be wrapped and the new Superintendent announced in late February.

Click here for more information about the application.

This is an incredibly exciting time for our board and our district and your input is valued. Our board is focused on staying committed to the excellent work that is happening in our schools focused on equity through deeper learning, fostering a sense of belonging, and educating the whole child so that every learner achieves success.

Survey

Thank you for your participation in the first major step of our search for a Superintendent. In the survey, you were able to rank the qualities you desire in our next Superintendent. This survey was being shared with our entire West Allis-West Milwaukee Learning Community, which includes families and staff. Our community was able to provide input through this survey as well. The survey was open through November 10. The survey results are now with our School Board.

Stakeholder Group Meetings

We also had time to meet in person and virtually with different groups so that other individuals can share additional feedback on the qualities they desire in a Superintendent. These stakeholder group meetings are listed below and were facilitated by our search firm consultants.

Date	Virtual/In Person	Time	Intended Audience	Location
Saturday, November 5, 2022	In Person	10:30 AM	Community Members & Parents	1205 S. 70th Street, Room 609
Monday, November 7, 2022	Virtual	3:30 PM	Teachers & Staff
Wednesday, November 9, 2022	In Person	9:00 AM	District Office Staff	1205 S. 70th Street, Room 609
Wednesday, November 9, 2022	In Person	6:30 PM	Community Members, Parents, Teachers & Staff	1205 S. 70th Street, Room 609
Thursday, November 10, 2022	Virtual	4:00 PM	Teachers & Staff
Thursday, November 10, 2022	Virtual	6:30 PM	Community Members & Parents