News Republic Editorial: Ritzenthaler super pick by board

Making the right decision doesn't always have to be difficult. The Baraboo School Board showed that recently by foregoing a search for a new administrator and naming Crystal Ritzenthaler the district's superintendent. In doing so, they saved the district time and money — and rewarded a true local talent for her loyalty and years of dedicated service to the Baraboo community.

Ritzenthaler had been serving as the district's interim administrator since April, when School Board members voted to accept the resignation of former Administrator Lance Alwin. Board members elected to make the move well before her contract was set to expire, in June 2009.

The gravity of that decision was not lost on board members.

Board member Doug Mering said at the meeting that for a time, he thought a search for a new administrator should be conducted.

"If the board moves ahead with this change (it does so with) the understanding that they truly feel this is the best person for the job and that the search process would be a futilely expensive, time-intensive process (which ultimately) could end up with the same result," Mering said.

In other words, board members could look high and low and not find someone more qualified or prepared to lead the district.

Board member Gary Cummings said at the meeting that while he understood one board member's inclination toward launching a full search before naming a superintendent, it was important to recognize the work Ritzenthaler did in her short time as interim administrator.

"Things seem to be going so well here, and you got a home grown one here. As for myself, I don't see the need to go to a search when it's a gamble."

Ritzenthaler represented a local product and a known commodity, as Cummings indicated. He and other members were reluctant to launch a lengthy, in-depth search for candidates, especially when they had a highly qualified option in their backyard who would have no learning curve, no relocation delays or expenses and an intimate knowledge of the Baraboo schools and the students and staff that make them up.

Ritzenthaler is certified by the state Department of Public Instruction as a superintendent. She finished a doctoral program in educational leadership this year at Edgewood College. She worked as principal of North Freedom Elementary from 1994 to 2004, and as a teacher from 1990 to 2001. Ritzenthaler worked as the district's director of curriculum and instruction from 2004 until April.

She has made communication — with the public, with the school board, and with her employees — one of her focal points, and it already has paid dividends.

"She communicated well with us and I certainly have the feeling from the other staff and administrators that she is in communication with them as well," School Board member Patricia Spragg said at the Nov. 10 meeting in which Ritzenthaler was given the full-time title. "This was one of the main things we asked of her when we appointed her as interim administrator and she has kept us informed," she said.

Here's hoping Ritzenthaler is able to continue to impress with her leadership and communication skills and is able to successfully pilot the district for a long time.

She'll have some challenges on her hands — from the potential launch of a new 4-year-old kindergarten program to maintaining high-quality educational opportunities when budgets are tight — but she's got the support of the School Board — and this Editorial Board. She'll need your backing, too, if she's going to find long-term

success.

The News Republic's Editorial Board meets Mondays to discuss issues that matter to the community.